The Southern Baptist Convention will hold its annual meeting in Greensboro, NC next Tuesday and Wednesday. The Pastor’s Conference will be on Monday. Many of you know that the SBC has experienced quite a bit of turmoil in recent months. The internet–and blogs in particular–has provided a forum for many Baptists to sound off about convention affairs. Some of that sounding off has been positive. Quite a bit has been negative. Some “Bapundits” are predicting that this will be a contentious meeting, possibly the most so since the early 1990’s. With three presidential candidates, at least six vice presidential candidates, several theological debates, controversies at two mission boards, two turtle doves, and a partriage in a pear tree, controversy remains a real possibility. I hope it proves not to be the case.
Please remember to pray that the sovereign Lord of all creation would allow clear heads and warm hearts to prevail in Greensboro. Please pray that God gives wisdom to the thousands of messengers (I will be one of them) who will be there to vote their conscience. Pray that we will stay focused (or refocus) on the task God has called us to, and not fracture into special interest groups or personality cliques. And please pray that God will be honored in how we conduct ourselves before Him and before the watching world.
Fifty-two years ago, Southwestern Seminary church historian W. W. Barnes wrote the following words in his preface to The Southern Baptist Convention, 1845-1953:
The Story of the Southern Baptist Convention, that enrolled two hundred and ninety-three Baptists in its first meeting and in its latest annual meeting more than ten thousand, must be interesting and enlightening. In tracing the activities and achievements of Southern Baptists, we discern the hand of God at every turn. Southern Baptists may thank him and take courage (x).
My hope and prayer is that we will be able to say the same thing about Southern Baptists this time next week.
Posted in SBC
