Virginia Baptist Bible Conference

by A. C Smith                                                                                                               Vol. VIII, No. 10, Nov./Dec. 1995

The Virginia Baptist Bible Conference meeting at First Baptist Church, Norfolk, on 8 November, featured four excellent and diverse speakers. The Conference's theme was "Standing Firm in the Faith."

Speaking on a text from Second Timothy four, James Merritt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Snellville, GA, said that pastors need to faithfully proclaim doctrinal and biblical truth to their churches.

"The preacher has not been called to build self-esteem; he's been called to build the kingdom of God," said Merritt. "You're not to soothe somebody's feelings, you're to strengthen their faith."

In an apparent reference to Robert Schuller, Merritt criticized preachers who do not preach about the sinfulness of mankind, but only stress the positive.

Merritt, in his Wednesday morning message, said that he and host pastor Bob Reccord did not pastor typical First Baptist churches. They faithfully proclaimed God's word, which some don't expect in a First Baptist church, he added.

Another speaker, Gordon MacDonald, a New England pastor and noted author, held an open forum on "Ordering Your Private World." "People who live by design have far more effectiveness than people who live by idealism," said MacDonald, who cited how people go through life cycles differently.

Using as his backdrop a new book, The Life God Blesses, MacDonald gave seven objectives he has in his life: To maintain physical life, to deal with the role reversal in his wife's life since the children have left home, to accelerate his learning curve, to be moderate in his financial expenditures, to be a leader in his vocational life who foments change, to maintain his spiritual life, and to have recreational pursuits – "to have as much fun as I can."

Another speaker at the Bible conference was Gary Hollingsworth, pastor of First Baptist Church, Alexandria, who said Christian leaders must "model moral purity" to win "the battle for hearts and minds in America," He contrasted the examples of Joseph and David's handling of temptation to immorality.

Joe Brown, pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., stressed the importance of men leading in America – to "stand up and start leading – in the government, the schools, the churches, and in the homes." Brown also spoke at the Rapha luncheon.

The conference elected AI Gilbert, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, as president elect, and reelected David Johnson as secretary-treasurer. President elect Ron Boswell, pastor of Grove Avenue Baptist in Richmond, assumed the presidency at the end of the conference.