This, of course, is why Donald Trump picked him in the first place–to shore-up the evangelical base.

I think it is safe to say that the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear, might agree with the title of this post:

I know that sent a terribly mixed signal. We are grateful for civic leaders who want to speak to our … https://t.co/BT1SgUXWgj

— J.D. Greear (@jdgreear) June 13, 2018

I wonder if Greear will elaborate on this tweet at some point.

Here are some more tweets from the Pence speech:

Here is my take on Pence’s visit: https://t.co/hWHqky8okT #sbc18 #sbc

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Pence wastes no time making this political: “I bring greetings from…Donald Trump.” #sbc18 #sbc Someone screams “four more years.” Yes, this is a religious convention. #mikepence

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Pence: “We are in a new beginning of greatness in America.” #sbc18 #sbc #mikepence He is now praising the Trump administration. What an embarrassment for the #SBC18 #sbc #southernbaptists

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

The Trump administration sent #MikePence to Dallas to sure-up the evangelical vote and the #SBC leadership is just sitting back and getting used. This is really sad to watch. #sbc18

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Somebody check the history. Were speeches by Carter, Nixon, and Reagan this overtly political? Perhaps. #mikepence #sbc18 #sbc

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

The Southern Baptist Convention has officially become a Donald Trump rally. Congratulations. #sbc18 #sbc #mikepence #southernbaptists

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Could give the same speech at GOP convention to introduce the President. I was hoping to hear about his personal faith in Christ.

— Miles S. Mullin, II (@msmullin) June 13, 2018

Pence might have “faith” in Jesus, but he’s clearly a disciple and follower of Trump

— Brantley W. Gasaway (@BrantleyGasaway) June 13, 2018

I am saddened Pence wld be so triumphalistic, so unabashed, so jingoistic. I’m more saddened that there would be people in the audience, messengers of the gospel (unless they’re outside guests), who would so revel in rubbing their politics in the faces of their brothers & sisters

— Michael Wear (@MichaelRWear) June 13, 2018

Garrett Kell predicted this yesterday: https://t.co/SugbHGMOJR @pastorjgkell #mikepence #sbc18 #SBC

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

I am not Southern Baptist, but I wish there was some way I could apologize to all #SBC people of color and women for this Mike Pence visit and speech. #sbc18 #southernbaptists #MikePence

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

I obviously can’t see what is inside one’s heart, but in any case all outward appearances are that for so many people their faith and their politics are really one and the same. For such, proclaiming their politics IS proclaiming their faith, and vice versa.

— Dave Hoffman (@DBHoffman42) June 13, 2018

You should have been there with a Believe Me book table. #SBC18

— Keith Plummer (@XianMind) June 13, 2018

Is this our purpose? Is this our calling? Is this our prophetic voice to the world? Seriously asking, @bellevuepastor. If you weren’t the one to accept the VP’s request to speak, please direct me to the right person(s). #SBCAM18 #sbc18

— Steven Davis (@sddavis101) June 13, 2018

Yes–something I can agree with: Trump says “Let’s pray for America!” #sbc18 #sbc #southernbaptist

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Lincoln also said, “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky!” #borderstates #civilwar #sbc #sbc18 #southernbaptists #mikepence #kentucky

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Just watched Pence speech livestream at #SBC18. More horrifying than anticipated. Mostly a campaign rally for Trump. He praised (1) Trump, (2) people who go to church, and only (3) God at the very end. America 1st message at a God 1st convention dedicated to serving the nations.

— Andrea L. Turpin (@AndreaLTurpin) June 13, 2018

Well, I know what primary source I’m using the next time I teach the history of Religion and American Culture. Hoping my students will be able to unravel all the cultural baggage and civil religion embedded in the Pence #SBC18 speech.

— Nicholas T. Pruitt (@nickphistory) June 13, 2018

My feed is probably skewed, but the vast majority of #sbc people I see are in lamentation mode

— Richard Heyduck (@rheyduck) June 13, 2018

What the vast majority of #sbc18 wants, I believe, is a massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit for global revival and the salvation of sinners, not the mess of pottage that is American civil religion and GOP victory.

— Thomas S. Kidd (@ThomasSKidd) June 13, 2018

So @VP‘s very political speech, focused on praising Trump and “America First,” is not going over well with some at #SBCAM18. pic.twitter.com/INmr3LTR6x

— Kedron Bardwell (@KedronBardwell) June 13, 2018

New SBC president JD Greear leading #SBC18 in a time of prayer and repentance. Greear prays: “our agenda is not in politics.” People coming forward to pray. Now a woman is leading. Whatever you think about all this, it is what SHOULD be happening at this convention. Amen.

— John Fea (@JohnFea1) June 13, 2018

Not sure I’ve seen this before — the president of the Southern Baptist Convention calling the vice president’s address “a terribly mixed signal.” https://t.co/7ln3P6BcCp

— Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 13, 2018

Curious if the new president of the SBC will explain what mixed message Mike Pence’s address sent and to whom… https://t.co/piWvVhBURD

— Sarah Pulliam Bailey (@spulliam) June 13, 2018

Some of us tried to get Pastor Gaines to reconsider the invitation to no avail. I guess that Trump really was more important than our gospel unity. It’s pretty tragic, but apparently this is who we are.

— Paul Littleton (@plittleton) June 13, 2018