Personal Notes on the SBC in Nashville

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                    Vol. XVIII, No. 6, June/July 2005

The lead article in this Banner gives you an overview of the SBC meeting. Here I will offer a few personal observations and opinions.

First, SBC president Bobby Welch did a super job chairing the annual meeting. His enthusiasm for evangelism pervades everything he does. And his kindly handling of messengers’ questions and motions combined with his humor assured a family atmosphere throughout the two day meeting.

Welch challenged Southern Baptists to baptize a million new believers this year. This goal is achievable but will require each of us to get serious about witnessing. We must give priority to Jesus’ goals and less to our comfort and routine. Currently we see only one baptism per year for each 42 Southern Baptists. To reach 1,000,000 baptisms we must bring the ratio down to 1:16. But it won’t happen if YOU don’t witness.

Second, each year on the Saturday before the convention Southern Baptists witness across the city where the convention is held. This year volunteer teams recorded more than 17,900 visits at homes and apartments across Nashville on June 18. The 7,290 volunteers shared the Gospel more than 4,965 times and saw 564 people make professions of faith in Jesus Christ. Can you go next June?

Third, as most Southern Baptists are by now aware, Jimmy Draper, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, has been emphasizing young leaders. He must be pleased because the Committee on Nominations recommended and messengers approved 166 nominees, 81 of whom were eligible for second terms and agreed to serve. Of the remaining 85, committee chairman Wayne Lee said 82 have not served on an SBC board, which he described as unprecedented. Lee noted that 42 were pastors or church-related employees with an average age under 45. Also, more than 70% of the new trustees come from medium and small churches, Lee stated, describing the slate as "representing a good cross section of SBC life."

"They are all in agreement with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message and are personally committed to the Cooperative Program and are members of churches that unashamedly support the Cooperative Program," Lee added, referring to Southern Baptists' channel of support for national and international missions and ministries.

Fourth, sole membership for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary: The sole membership debate centers on legal technicalities. The purpose of recommending sole membership has been to guarantee that in the future, if some dispute arises, the trustees of a Southern Baptist entity such as a seminary or mission board could not sever its relationship with the SBC, as has been attempted in several states (notably Missouri) where state entities have tried to divorce themselves from the state convention.

Remember that the NOBTS discussion centered on how best to achieve this secure relationship, not on whether to do so. NOBTS trustees had voted last year to accept sole membership if approved this year by the messengers, and that is what has happened.

The Pastors’ Conference speakers were great. You can order tapes or cds of their sermons by calling Gardendale First Baptist Church at 817-656-1258. They are really great addresses. Get a set for your church.

Next year the SBC will meet in Greensboro, NC. Plan to go. Remember that Crossover Greensboro will be Saturday, 10 June, the Pastors’ Conference will be Sunday evening and all day Monday, 11 & 12 June, and the Convention 13-14 June. Come and witness. Hear a variety of truly great preachers. Enjoy the praise of huge choirs. Be part of vital decisions regarding God’s work through Southern Baptists. Make new friends and greet old ones.

Come and witness. Come and praise Him. Come and worship. Come and grow.