Quotable Welch

What’s right with the SBC?
“Overwhelmingly, you can look in any direction and see what’s right. The biggest thing that’s right with the SBC is its people and its pastors, and that’s not just philosophizing. ... I think that it’s one of the most exciting times to be a Southern Baptist because we are at that threshold of the next transformation of this Convention, and everybody is at that threshold, it’s not just the next generation, it’s not just the last, we’re all at that threshold.”
Commitment to Cooperative Program.
“This is one of our floundering, struggling spots, and that’s why stewardship is on that list [of six areas of concern]. ... There should be no conflict between being a committed supporter of the Cooperative Program and being a soul winning church and being a church that is committed to stay in a tough spot in the community; this is not the Bible Belt here. … The Cooperative Program is demonstrating the unity of purpose, financially. We’re losing that and as we lose that we also start losing the identity of this Convention.”
Is this era a post-denominational age?
“Only to the extent that we prove that right. I don’t believe it. And if you’ll look around you’ll see a lot of these people, you’ll see some organization and operations who say we’re living in a post-denominational era who appear to be generating their own denomination.”
SBC defunding of Baptist World Alliance.
“It’s a whole lot easier to do a whole lot more around the world when you are operating directly with like-minded people who are on the same mission.”
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
“I think the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship people need to be seen and dealt with like everybody else—with respect, care, kindness, love and I really mean that. And further, these people, as far as I’m concerned, they’re welcome on board the boat, but I don’t think anybody—because they’ve demonstrated that they have their own ideas and own agenda about what they want to do—I don’t think anybody is going to ask them to take the helm to drive the boat.”
NOBTS/sole membership debate.
“I believe that Chuck Kelley is a good man and I believe that Morris Chapman is a good man. I believe that good men and good groups can come to really different opinions on things. I believe that it will come out where it needs to be.”
SBC name change.
“I think that the name change is likely inevitable. However, one of the most interesting things is going to be how diverse the opinions are going to be. I don’t think it’s going to be quite as geographical as everybody thinks... . My bottom line on it is I think it will be harder to change the name of the Convention if it’s only a distinction about titles and words. I think the easiest way for the Convention name to be changed will be if there is some connection between the name change and reaching more people for the Lord. I believe our people will go to that quickly.”
Proposed anti-public schools resolution.
“I would say that whether it passes or not or comes out of the Resolutions Committee that it affords a real clear opportunity to talk about something that a lot of people are really passionate about—that is, where our public schools are and what needs to be done ... . I think that the greatest mission field in North America is the public school system. I think that ... if all students were pulled out, then we lose the impact of our witness in those schools. That’s the fact that is most challenging to me.”
SBC speaking to controversial cultural issues.
“I think that it’s critical; I don’t see how we can avoid it, if we intend to count out here. I don’t see how we can avoid it.”
Comfort as Southern Baptist spokesman.
“Southern Baptists are so diverse and opinionated. ... It’s hard to speak for them. But I would do the very best I knew with God’s help to uphold the position this Convention has taken for the Kingdom and for Christ and for the Great Commission.”