A Report on the SBC 2009

I have the great privilege to serve as Moderator of the Hephzibah Baptist Association in Georgia. I included the following in my report given to the Executive Committee on July 9, 2009.  For more information go to http://hbakbamissions.org

I am privileged to be Pastor of a church that provided for me to attend this year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, KY. I don’t have room to report all that happened at the convention, but I will touch on the most significant move of the year, and possibly of the decade. The Convention overwhelmingly approved a motion granting the President of our convention, Dr. Johnny Hunt, the authority to appoint a Great Commission Task Force to review our Convention structures for the purpose of streamlining and obtaining greater efficiencies. Johnny Hunt, Pastor of Woodstock FBC, is a blessing to Southern Baptists. His leadership at this time is a God-send. He has nothing to lose and no one to fear, and He is God’s man for this time.  He is inspiring pastors of all age demographics and, his integrity and motivations have been unquestioned. The Task Force will report its recommendations at next year’s meeting in Orlando, FL.

On a personal note, I was extremely encouraged at this year’s convention. The Pastor’s Conference was probably the best ever, due to the diversity of speakers and the focus on the Great Commission. The time for motions from the floor was telling. Though there is still some residue of contention, with some wanting to use the time to focus on what they personally are against and to call names, most wanted to focus on what we are for as Southern Baptists. We are for the Gospel. We are for the Church. We are for the nations. We are for the future. There is a mighty wind of change blowing across our Convention.

So, I entreat you, as members of local churches, each commissioned to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,  to join in what God is doing. God doesn’t need the Southern Baptist Convention. He doesn’t need the Hephzibah Association. He doesn’t even need your church. Instead, understand that we have the privilege of serving a great God who is on the move worldwide making a name for Himself. So, let us lay aside the contentions that separate us. Lay down the fighting gloves. Old preachers are not the enemy. Young preachers are not the enemy. Calvinists are not the enemy. Reformed Theology is not the enemy. Satan IS the enemy!

All of our churches don’t have to look alike. All of our churches don’t have to sound alike or meet at the same times. We need to preach the same gospel as Jesus and His disciples and we need to GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES! If we do that, we have the same heart and we can work together to fulfill the Great Commission and make Him KNOWN!

For more information, go to www.greatcommissionresurgence.com