This was my response to a JD Greer article.  I received a request from the Baptist Courier to respond to this article.  Below is my full response.  I invite you to read the JD Greer article

To Whom it May Concern:I am a 31 year old pastor of a Southern Baptist Church and I am concerned about the relevancy of the SBC.  My fear for the future of the SBC is two-fold. First, my generation of young ministers are flocking to voices outside of convention leadership for ministry direction.  While my more seasoned collegeas (over 40) still find leadership from tride and true Southern Baptist's like Johnny Hunt & Charles Stanley my generation is giving an ear to a different set of leaders.  Men like Matt Chandler, Darrin Pactrick, Rick Warren and Ed Stetzer, all of which are Southern Baptist themselves but find themselves outside of the leadership influence of the SBC.  I fear that the SBC leadership is soon going to have very little impact within my generation set and we will continue to seek out leadership from leaders like Andy Stanley, Mark Driscoll, and Craig Groeschel, who seem to have a true desire to see our generation succeed and don't see us as misguided, illigitmate, step-children, as we are often made to feel.  Secondly, I fear that if the convention doesn't try to attract the current generation, then in the coming decades the cubbard of leaders to pick from is going to be bare.  This reality is imminent.   Soon the unwanted stepchild complex of my generation will takes it toll and we will have moved out to fathers who seem to care about our passions.  Ultimately, leaving our beloved convention impotent without future leadership.

Will Browning
Journey Church

Baptist Courier Article:  http://tinyurl.com/dh8x8y

Ethan may be the coolest kid you have ever met.  Tarah and I adopted Ethan and his sister in 2006 after much prayer and pleading with God to fill our house with children.  God answered that prayer bringing great joy to our home.  Some moments have been more trying than others. 

Ethan was so bad when we first got home from the Ukraine that he spent almost every minute of the day in the corner.  I will never forget one day, early on, he was in the corner and was way past due from being released from that torture.  Getting out of the corner required one easy step, just say, "I am sorry."  Ethan's stubbornness not to say, "I'm sorry," persisted for some time.  I'll never forget hearing the thump of Ethan's body hitting the floor.  I rushed into the room only to find Ethan's doggedness had persisted so long that he fell asleep while in the corner!

There are so many great stories that Ethan has brought.  Like last night, he was talking about his Poppy's (name for his fraternal grandfather) garden.  He said, "Daddy, I can't wait to eat all that stuff in the garden.  Watermelons, squash, tomatoes, beef . . .”  We broke out laughing.  "Ethan beef doesn't grow in a garden it comes from a cow!" 

The one story that is forever etched in my mind comes from the first day away from the orphanage.  I was laying on a coach in Kiev, Ukraine in a small rented apartment.  Tarah had returned home to America to care for baby Jedidiah.  I was tired and ready to get back to America.  My ability to keep my eyelids at bay was becoming a conscious task every twenty seconds.  Then I felt some little arms touching my arms.  Ethan without inhibitions crawled up onto the coach, mounted my legs, laid his head on my chest, and said, "Moi Pa-pa!"  I knew in that moment God had answered my prayers and a special bond between a father and his son was galvanized.

Have you considered adoption? 

Growing up did you play the game called "Shotgun," to find out who gets the front seat on the forthcoming car ride.  I have found it interesting that as I have lived in several different parts of the world, everyone has different rules.  Let me straighten out all the confusion and provide you with the offical shotgun rules.

Section I:  The Basic Rules
1. In order to call Shotgun, the caller must pronounce the word "Shotgun" in a clear voice. This call must be heard and acknowledged by the driver. The other occupants of the vehicle need not hear the call as long as the driver verifies the call.
2. Shotgun may only be called if all occupants of the vehicle are outside and on the way to said vehicle.
3. Early calls are strictly prohibited. Shotgun may only be called while walking toward the vehicle and only applies to the drive immediately forthcoming. Shotgun can never be called while inside a vehicle or still technically on the way to the first location. For example, one can not get out of a vehicle and call Shotgun for the return journey.
4. The driver has final say in all ties and disputes. The driver has the right to suspend or remove all shotgun privileges from one or more persons.

Section II:  Special Cases
These special exceptions to the rules above should be considered in the order presented; the case listed first will take precedence over any of the cases beneath it, when applicable.

1. In the instance that the normal driver of a vehicle is drunk or otherwise unable to perform their duties as driver, then he/she is automatically given Shotgun.
2. If the instance that the person who actually owns the vehicle is not driving, then he/she is automatically given Shotgun, unless they decline.
3. In the instance the the driver's spouse, lover, partner, or date for the evening is going to accompany the group, he/she is automatically given Shotgun, unless they decline.
4. In the instance that one of the passengers may become so ill during the course of the journey that the other occupants feel he/she will toss their cookies, then the ill person should be given Shotgun to make appropriate use of the window.
5. In the instance that only one person knows how to get to a given location and this person is not the driver, then as the designated navigator for the group they automatically get Shotgun, unless they decline.
6. In the instance that one of the occupants is too wide or tall to fit comfortably in the back seat, then the driver may show mercy and award Shotgun to the genetic misfit. Alternatively, the driver and other passengers may continually taunt the poor fellow as they make a three hour trip with him crammed in the back.

Yesterday was a tough day for the Browning Family.  We buried our family dog, Sarg.  He was a great dog and a great friend.  In 2002, Tarah and I purchased our first home in Kentucky and like every good American family, we got a dog.  We decided to adopt a pet and that adoption was the beginning of another adoption journey that ended with us adopting Piper & Ethan from the Ukraine in 2006.

Some things about Sarg that I won't ever forget.
#1 - His lethargic and laid-back disposition.  He was a perfect fit to my personality.  Most days he just sat beside me in my recliner enjoying an evening with his family.
#2 - His scratching at the door.  Sarg was a smart dog.  He had a keen way of communicating.  The strangest communication was the whining he would do when he wanted to come inside.  It sounded like a injured little girl screaming.
#3 - My accomplice - Many times Sarg would ride with me in the car.  I'll never forget the night that we tolieted Dr. Rainer's house with Sarg tagging along.
#4 - Cuddling - I am not a touchy-feelly kind of guy but for some reason Sarg was a different story.  He would let you do anything to him.  I am sure you saw his trick when I would ask him a question and he would raise his hand, right?

Do me a favor, if you remember something about Ol' Sarg, write a comment on this blog.  I think it will be healing for our family.

Will  <><

One of my leaders convinced me to do a sermon series based on questions that people have.  Sounds like a great idea, right?  So we developed a website, allow people to post questions & vote, and now I am seeing that this is going to be on crazy six weeks of my life.

Questions we are getting currently are:
- Is there such a thing as Christian homosexuality?
- Why do Christians get sick at the same rate as non-Christian in spite of the 
   fact that Christians are praying to a healing God?
- What is appropriate and inappropriate sexual activity inside a monogamous,
   married relationship?

This is going to be crazy.  I guess go ahead and and cast your vote.  I am already way over my head anyway.

http://www.journeymedia.org/burningquestions.aspx

Will  <><

I read a quote from Mother Teresa this week that floored me.  This quote is from memory so I apologize if I get it a little out of order but the purpose is unmolested.  She said, "We are not called to be successful, rather we are called to be faithful."  Let that resonate a little.  We have been called to be faithful.

This is a foreign concept to my generations.  While the generations before me understood faithfulness:  faithful in marriage, faithful to fulfill obligations, faithful to institutions, and faithful to their employers.  Our generation is only faithful to our own personal desires.  In turn, we know a lot about how to strive for a successful life.  We find meaning and purpose in our success.

What if life wasn't judge by how successful we were but how faithful we were?  What if the measure of a man was not how much money he had in his bank account, how many people he leads, or how many books he has written but rather what if a man was measured by his honor?

What are your thoughts?

Will  <><

Did you know that 80% of church planters' wives say that if they could choose a different calling for their husbands they would!  What is that statistic saying?  It is saying that the wives of these men who plant churches are overburdened, stressed out, unappreciated, and taken advantage of.  Their husbands are fully vested in their callings and the truth is much of his time is spent at the expense of his family and his marriage.

Most people wonder, "What does a church planter do with his time?"  I mean, he doesn't have an office so he is probably spending all day in his pajamas watching Sportscenter, right?  The church only has one weekly service, he gets most of his work done in one day, right?  What does his wife have to complain about, her husband can form his own schedule, right?

I love what God has called me to do but while I am out on my white horse trying to save the world for Jesus, our wives are left to do everything else.  Tarah puts in a full day, everyday.  She rises before the sun comes up, cares for six children (3 our own & 3 others).  She finds time to meet with ladies in our community, lead a small group, and plays a critical role on our worship team.  Unfortunately, her husband comes home feeling the weight of his calling and many times is in a daze as he considers the grandeur of God's call on his life.

Knowing the stress that has been put on Tarah and Erin (Clay's wife), we are taking our wives to a marriage retreat this weekend.  Please pray for us.  Pray that God will renew our marriages.  Pray that we will get a chance to relax and focus on each other.  Pray that no emergencies arise that will draw us back home.

Will  <><

Much praise to my partner in crime Clay Jernigan for this but this week we had a big win at the Journey Church.  Now this is only one week but it is still quite amazing.  We had 89% of those adults who came to our worship service to be engaged with our small group ministry!  I have had disciple leaders, education pastors, and Sunday School directors tell me that small groups are just a fad and that they won't work.

In humility I want to say, "That is just not the case!"  Our groups are doing community outreach, forming authentic community together, and teaching the eternal truths of God's Word.  These are not wimpy groups but passionate people drawing near to God and putting action to their convictions.

Clay Jernigan is a master mind and a great leader.  Great job Journey Church and thanks for believing in the vision God has given us to accomplish.  Let's keep pressing forward towards the goal.

Will  <><

The theme of my time with God lately could be themed by this question, "Will, will you trust me and me alone?"  For a pastor of nearly a decade, one would think this question should have been answered a long time ago.  I am finding that one of my greatest weaknesses may have been disguised to others as a strength.  Yet this weakness, namely self-confidence, has been ruining me for quite some time.
Lately, God has been making it plain to me that I have place my confidence in myself rather than placing my confidence in him.  I have a quick answer for God every time he asks me this question, "Yes, God I trust you!"  It is not my words that reveal the truth in my heart it is my actions.  My trust, or lack-there-of, is revealed when I respond (or don't respond) to God's commands, challenges, or will for my life.
God has been so patient with me, and lately I have been submitting to his requests because I realize he has the best in mind for me.  I have trusted him with my finances, trust him with my kids, and trusted him with my ministry.  As I have done so, he has proved himself trustworthy every time.  I will give an illustration of the latter.
God has called me to trust him to build the Journey Church.  Not on my skill or ability but on his power and might.  I have trusted him and in the past few weeks we have seen several people give their lives to Jesus, we will launch our small group ministry with more than 70 adults participating, and we have seen over 100 people in worship over the last two weeks.
I have learned a simple lesson:  Trust God's power and humble yourself under his mighty hand.
Will  <><

Okay, I recognize that it has been a while and now no one is going to even read this because I haven't created any interest but her it goes.  I am away this week doing my yearly sermon preparation for 2009.  It has been a fruitful week so far.  I always feel like God meets me here.

I feel like God is beckoning me back to himself in a new way.  I have been searching for direction for life, the church, and my family.  I have sought council from my friends, read contemporary books, and listened to godly men's words of wisdom.  This week I feel like God has asked me the question, "Why do you seek everyone council but you seem to by pass me?"  Ouch.

As I look at my recent life, I have found that I seek out time with men yet I begrudgingly pursue God.  This is a humbling statement and maybe unwise to admit so publicly but maybe my honesty will help others to take a deeper look inside their hearts. 

My goal this year:  Pursue God with vigor.  Pray and expect him to respond.  Love him and expect to loved in return.  Sacrifice and expect him to bless.

Will  <><