SBCV Celebrates 5^th Anniversary                                                             

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                           Vol. XIV, No.10, Nov/Dec 2001

The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia gathered at Grove Avenue Baptist church in Richmond on Monday, 12 November, for their Bible conference followed on Tuesday with the celebration of their fifth annual business meeting. There were 581 registered messengers and 132 guests.

Five years earlier, also at Grove Avenue, another group of over 500 expectant Baptists gathered and unanimously approved a recommendation that the SBCV declare itself a state convention, the first time in SBC history that two state conventions existed within the same geographical boundaries.

In 1996 102 churches that had contributed to the Southern Baptist Conservative Fellowship were authorized messengers. The SBCV has grown steadily, and this year messengers unanimously approved affiliation of the 45 churches (44 unique, 1 dual) which had applied during the previous twelve months, bringing total SBCV churches to 334, including 48 dually aligned with both the SBCV and the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and 286 uniquely with the SBCV.

With the growth in numbers of churches and the strong SBCV emphasis on missions and evangelism, SBCV dollar receipts have also grown dramatically. In 1996 messengers approved a budget for the ‘96-‘97 fiscal year of $774,000. The unanimously approved Cooperative Program 2002 budget is $5,000,000. And other anticipated receipts, primarily the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings, bring the overall budget to $8,200,000. Like virtually every other vote, the budget was approved unanimously.

John Marks, pastor of Kingsland Baptist Church, Richmond, was re-elected president by acclamation as were Jim Smith, pastor of Second BC, South Boston, as second vice president and Doug Echols, pastor of Enon BC, Chester, as secretary. The one contested election was for first VP. Dennis Culbreth, pastor of River Oak BC, Chesapeake, was nominated by Dr. John Powers of First BC, Norfolk, and Houston (Chip) Roberson, pastor of Bethel BC, Chesapeake, by Herschel Adams, pastor of Sonlight Church, Chesapeake. Dennis Culbreth won on a show of hands.

The customary resolution expressed appreciation for the host church but also to SBCV executive director, Doyle Chauncey, and staff, and committed messengers to pray for the SBCV and its ministries.

The single other resolution dealt with the attacks of 11 September, affirming President Bush, the congress, fire, police, and disaster relief personnel, and pledged to pray for the survivors and families, for our military personnel, for our enemies, for God’s protection, and for revival in America.

A most significant action was approval of the Strategy Planning Task Force Report with its concise purpose statement, “The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia is a fellowship of Southern Baptist Convention churches cooperating to assist local congregations in their task of fulfilling the Great Commission as commanded by our Lord, Jesus Christ.” Addition of the last phrase, “as commanded by our Lord, Jesus Christ”, was moved by Rodney Houston, pastor of Chatmoss BC, Martinsville, and adopted almost unanimously. Note the three emphases: The SBCV is comprised of Southern Baptist Convention churches. The SBCV’s role is to assist local congregations. And the SBCV is to help those churches go and tell, the Great Commission.

The report also includes six core values: “Our foundation is the Word of God, Our fellowship is built on healthy relationships, Our focus is strengthening the local church, Our function is to assist churches to be on mission, Our future includes church planting.” The report goes on to enumerate objectives, each with several components. Finally, the report recommended and messengers did appoint an Implementation Task Force to fully implement the strategic plan. The ITF will be chaired by Kelly Burris, pastor of Kempsvile BC, Virginia Beach, and former SBCV president. Members will be Rick Elmore, pastor Cave Spring BC, Roanoke; Don Matthews, associate pastor Swift Creek BC, Midlothian; Lin Perkins, layman, Smith Memorial BC, Williamsburg; Tim Piland, pastor Nansemond River BC, Suffolk; Chip Roberson, pastor Bethel BC, Chesapeake; and Carl Weiser, pastor Hyland Heights BC, Lynchburg.

The SBCV continues its major emphasis on church planting and evangelism. Beginning in 1996 annual SBCV church plants have numbered 1, 3, 4, 12, 9, and 16 for a total of 45 in six years. Our goal for 2002 is at least 20.

John Marks brought the president’s address in which he focussed on moral decay in our country and the need for Christians to be different from the culture, to stand up and speak out in love.

The evening was climaxed by SBC President, James Merritt’s stirring sermon on being salt and light.