NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A prominent North Carolina pastor-blogger
has issued two apologies: “An Apology to SBC Leaders” and “An Apology to SBC Reformed Pastors.”
Les Puryear, pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Clemmons, posted
his apology to SBC leaders on his blog on April 28,
stating simply:
“On April 14, I wrote a post which condemned SBC leaders for what I viewed to
be as their hypocrisy. After much prayer and pondering, I have concluded that
my position was extreme and wrong. Thus, for my remarks, which I have removed
from this blog, I humbly apologize, repent, and ask forgiveness from SBC
leaders.”
On April 27, Puryear devoted two paragraphs to his apology to SBC Reformed
pastors:
“On April 15, I wrote a post which concluded that Reformed Baptists should
leave the SBC. After much prayer and pondering, I have concluded that my
position was extreme and wrong. Thus, for my remarks, which I have removed from
this blog, I humbly apologize, repent, and ask forgiveness from Reformed
pastors in the SBC.
“Although I do not hold to the biblical interpretations of Reformed pastors, I
believe it is possible for us to work together to reach the lost for Jesus
Christ. It is my wish to cooperate with and work beside those Reformed pastors
who have the same desire. Though we differ in theology, we have the same Lord
and the same Spirit and Christ has commanded us to love one another. In
obedience to His command, I humbly offer this apology to make peace with those
whom I may have besmirched with my previous post.”
Pastor-blogger Dave Miller of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City,
Iowa, responded to Puryear at a blog site he shares with several others:
“I appreciate Les’ humility in issuing this apology. I think
this spirit of grace is exactly what we need as we try to work together in the
future. … I have Calvinistic theology, but could in no way be called
Reformed. But I think that this irenic spirit is the one that needs to prevail
in the SBC.”
Puryear, who was previously pastor of Lewisville Baptist Church in Lewisville, led a self-described grassroots group named SBC Majority Initiative
that endorsed several nominees as Southern Baptist Convention officers at the
2010 annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. None of those endorsed by the group were
elected.
Puryear also was an unsuccessful nominee for SBC president at the June
2008 SBC annual meeting. In April of that year, Puryear was an organizer of a
conference for small-church pastors, “Impact 2008,” at Lewisville Baptist Church
which drew 110 participants from 13 states. The conference was cosponsored by
several Baptist entities, including LifeWay Christian Resources and the
International and North American mission boards.
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