Last week was the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas, TX. This is the annual meeting where messengers from Southern Baptist churches from around the world come together for a time of encouragement and to handle business for the denomination.
This was the third annual meeting that I have had the opportunity to take part. I knew that there were going to be some interesting moments (as there usually is), but I did not think that there would be as many fireworks as there were.
I thought that I would take a moment and share some highlights that I took away from the SBC 2018 in Dallas, TX.
New President Elected
Every year, the SBC elects a president to represent the denomination and perform other duties. One of the most important tasks that this person has is to appoint members to various committees within the denomination. These members will help lead the different entities during the year.
J.D. Greear was elected by an overwhelming margin as the new SBC President. Greear is the Pastor of the Summit Church in North Carolina. He is one of the youngest Presidents of the SBC which I think is an important factor. Greear has led Summit Church to be an on-mission church sending more than 150 of its members to the mission field through the International Mission Board.
I strongly believe that this was a much-needed thing to happen for the SBC. For far too long, the SBC has been seen as a denomination of “old, white guys”. Many have thought that the SBC has been out of touch with reality. I’ve heard it said that if the 1950s ever came back in style, much of the SBC would then be “cutting edge.” I’m not sure how much I agree with that as I hear more and more that are making great impacts on the context where God has planted them.
As a younger pastor myself (39 years old currently), I have seen it many times where the “older guard” simply looks at us younger guys as second class. It is time for the torch to be passed. If the mentoring of the older generations towards younger generations has been what it should be, then many of us younger ones are ready to take the torch and run ahead.
I’m excited to see how J.D. Greear will lead our denomination. If the Summit Church is any indication, then we have some really good times ahead.
Issues of Injustice on the Forefront
Every year at the Southern Baptist Convention, there are resolutions that are presented and voted on. These are statements that we affirm and hopefully put into practice as Southern Baptists in our local contexts.
This year at the Southern Baptist Convention, there were 16 resolutions that were affirmed by the messengers. Many of these dealt with injustices that have been in the limelight lately. You can view each of the resolutions by clicking here.
The weeks leading up to this year’s annual meeting were laden with controversies of various kinds. There was the resignation of the Executive Committee President because of a “moral failing”, the removal of a seminary President, the dismissal of a Georgia church over racism, and more.
With all of this stuff swirling in the wind, the need for the SBC to make a strong, clear stand on these issues was vital. I believe that the resolutions are a good start. The real work will begin when we take the words of these resolutions and put them into our everyday practice.
Special Guest: VP Mike Pence
Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention got a surprise when a special guest speaker was announced would speak to the denomination. That guest speaker would be the current Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.
This news created a buzz around the convention center. There were those who were excited about having a sitting Vice President speak. There were those who were not so excited about the event.
I greatly respect our Vice President. I believe that he is a God-fearing man. I appreciate the stands that he has taken on certain points. With that said, I was in the crowd that thought it was not good that he speak at the annual meeting. I thought this for a couple of reasons.
First, I believed that this was more of a distraction from what we were there to do. The presence of the VP created such a whirlwind that it made it difficult for the messengers to actually take care of the business that their respective churches sent them to Dallas to do.
Second, I believe that it put forth a picture that many in the SBC have been trying to do away with for some time. There are those who see the SBC as nothing more than an extension of the Republican political party. That should not be the case at all. We are representatives of Jesus’ Kingdom, not an American political party. I wonder if someone from the previous administration (Democratic party) would have been welcomed so eagerly.
Third, I was afraid that it would turn into a campaign speech – which many think that it did. The annual meeting of the SBC is no place for political speeches. As I heard the Vice President go on for over 30 minutes, it was primarily about what the administration had done and how it works together with the SBC. Honestly, it made my stomach turn a little. It is not an issue of being anti-Republican. I do not think that there should be political speeches from any political party at the annual meeting. The messengers were not sent there to be part of political rallies… we were sent there to do Great Commission business.
79 Missionaries Commissioned
This was the highlight of the entire annual meeting. Tuesday night, 79 missionaries were commissioned to service by the International Mission Board.
79 people sent out to take the gospel to those who have not responded to it yet… some who have never even heard of Jesus before.
This is what the SBC is supposed to be about. Various churches pooling their resources together to do what no one church can do by themselves. This is one big reason why I am part of the SBC.
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