This is an attempt to be as gracious and respectful to the leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention. I have been a member of a SBC church since I was 11 years old. I was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL (which was a conservative church) in the 1970's. I felt called to vocational ministry but my church was concerned about my attending Samford University because of the "liberal" theology. I joined Shades Mountain Baptist and then Dawson Memorial while I was at Samford and UAB. I did not major in religion because I was scared of the "liberals." The fighting going on in SBC life drove me away from ministry! It wasn't until I joined Southside Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL that I surrendered to the calling I had 8-9 years earlier. I decided to attend Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX because it was the so-called "Flagship" of the convention. I was told it was the one seminary with the least controversy. I fell in love with Southwestern. I loved my professors like Dr. Urrey, Dr. Lunceford, Dr. Fish, and our president Dr. Dilday. Then the day that scared me for life was when the trustees fired Dr. Dilday. We were told it was for our best interest. But Dr. Dilday is not a "liberal." He may cooperate with those who were not in the "Fundementalist" camp, but he is a good man. I saw how ugly politics can be in SBC life and vowed not to be involved in politics. I felt called to start a church a few years ago. I responded to Dr. Reccord's message at Peachtree Corners Baptist. I think very highly of him. I jumped through every hoop the leaders in the Convention asked. The people at NAMB were nothing but cooperative and supportive. One executive in another organization (not NAMB) tried to cheat me out of money that was promised to me. Again, I saw politics in action. It is bad when you have members of your denomination cheating you out of money. I again vowed I would not be involved in SBC politics. I was on staff with a large church in Alabama that had an ugly secret that I knew nothing about. After the pastor left (and 500 + people) the church decided to cut their staff's salaries. Again, I saw the ugliness of politics in SBC life. I was tempted to leave the calling God had put on my life because I felt my denomination didn't care about it's young leaders. Cooler heads prevailed. God was good and has placed me in a loving congregation in Charlotte, NC. But, I am again disturbed by the direction of the SBC. Wade Burleson who is a trustee of the International Mission Board has been asked by the trustees to be removed from his position just because he chose to speak for me and other young SBC pastors. I hurt for him and his family. I also hurt for the younger leaders in the SBC who feel we are not important. Many younger SBC pastors are leaving the SBC. I can understand why. My prayer and plea is that the leaders in the SBC will listen to those of us who are "COOPERATING CONSERVATIVES!" We love the SBC and want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We love our history but are concerned about our future. I respectfully ask that you will allow us to help shape the future of the SBC. Kevin Bussey Charlotte, NC