Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (a pretty decent place to prepare for ministry, from what I have heard 
though still not as good as my seminary), recently offered his reflections on the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention.
I commend the entire post to you.
Below I have excerpted Akin’s comments on Mark Driscoll and the Acts 29 Network, and agree with them with near unanimity. My only significant difference with Akin is I agree with Driscoll’s take on “beverage alcohol” (while I enjoy using the term “beverage alcohol,” I think it is safe to drop the adjective and just say alcohol. No one is arguing about the use of medicinal alcohol).
I abstain from alcohol consumption myself, but do not see a prohibition in Scripture against drinking. Drunkenness is clearly sinful, biblically, but drinking in moderation is not, in my opinion.
On to weightier matters: here are Akin’s comments on Driscoll and Acts 29:
I appreciate Mark Driscoll and Acts 29. Southeastern has no formal relationship with either, but I am thankful for many aspects of both ministries. I think there is much that our students can learn from them. Mark and I have become good friends, but I do not agree with everything Mark says or does. In particular, I disagree with some of the language he has used in the pulpit in the past (though not in several years!) and I am uncomfortable with his position on beverage alcohol.
I do appreciate his courage to tackle the difficult book The Song of Solomon and to address sexual issues with the adults in his congregation who have serious and important questions needing answers. Many of you know I have had a similar ministry through Marriage and Family conferences for years. I also wrote a book on the Song entitled God on Sex. Now it is the case I have chosen to address these issues in a different manner than has Mark, and at certain points I think he might have addressed some sensitive sexual issues in a more careful manner.
But, I believe we can learn from those with whom we differ, and on the whole I believe Mark has much to teach us about missional living, theology-driven ministry, and culturally relevant expositional preaching. I also think our students, and Southern Baptists in general, are mature enough to treat Mark Driscoll (and every Christian leader) with appropriate discernment.
I want to remind our readers that good seminaries continually expose their students to diverse opinions, including the opinions of those with whom we disagree. There are few textbooks, guest lecturers, and even chapel speakers with whom I am in 100% agreement!
Several times in the last decade the SBC annual meeting has been addressed by speakers who differ with Southern Baptists, including Condoleeza Rice (a Presbyterian who describes her views on abortion as “mildly pro-choice”), James Dobson (a Nazarene who is egalitarian and consistently Arminian) and Bill Bright (another Presbyterian).
Individual Southern Baptists also learn from others every time they read a book by Augustine, C. S. Lewis or John Stott and every time they listen to a sermon by John MacArthur or Chuck Swindoll. It is a healthy thing to interact with and appreciate fellow Christians with whom we have theological differences and even strong disagreements on secondary and tertiary matters.
Let me invite any of our readers who have concerns about Mark or Acts 29 to do three things.
First, make sure your criticisms are up-to-date rather than rehashing issues that were settled several years ago.
Second, acquaint yourself with the doctrinal convictions of both Mars Hill Church and Acts 29.
Finally, please note that all of the Driscoll addresses are available online at our website. I would encourage you to listen to them as well as an interview David Nelson conducted with Mark last spring. I think you will be blessed and encouraged by what you hear.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to email me or call my office. I would be happy to talk with you, listen to your heart, and hopefully put your concerns to rest.