A Great Meeting!

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                                   Vol. IX, No. 8, September 1996

           Fifteen messengers from GNBC attended the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia annual meeting in Richmond Monday afternoon, 16 Sep. Not many congregations our size are committed enough to field 15 messengers. Good News folks, I’m proud of you!

           The most important result of the session was that the approximately 500 messengers voted UNANIMOUSLY to become a separate state convention affiliated with the SBC. It is surprising that in a group that large no one would speak or vote against the motion.

           Election of officers followed the same course. Terry Harper, pastor of Colonial Heights Baptist Church, was elected president by acclamation. And Kelly Burris, pastor of Kempsville BC, Virginia Beach, was elected first vice president, also by acclamation. When the president called for nominations for second vice president, no one spoke. He asked again. Still no one offered a name. Finally the president called for volunteers. After another pause pastor Ken Gooch stood rather hesitantly and said, “Well, if there’s no one else, I’ll volunteer.” And he too was elected by acclamation. The secretary, Rev. Steven Smith, was re-elected without opposition.

           The budget for 1 Oct. ‘96-30 Sep. ‘97 was adopted as offered. First, it is remarkable in two respects. It is over three times the current budget: $774,000 vice $221,000. This large increase is possible because donations this year have been running 67% ahead of last. Second, whereas this year undesignated donations re divided 65% for the SBCV and 35% for the Southern Baptist Convention, next year the division will be 50-50. I believe we will be the only state convention to be at the 50-50 level.

           Five resolutions were passed, all without opposition. One on homosexuality (which I wrote) calls for prayer, ministry, and witnessing to homosexuals, opposes the promotion of homosexuality through governmental law and regulation, and expresses our “unalterable conviction that no practicing homosexual is qualified in God’s eyes to fill any responsible denominational post in any of the four levels of Baptist life.”A second resolution opposes abortion and calls on our churches and members to “start and/or support ministries that serve unwed mothers and save babies lives.” The third resolution expresses appreciation to our six seminaries now that they are conservative. Fourth, was a “Resolution on the Baptist Banner,” a complete surprise to me. It even expresses “our appreciation to Mrs. T.C. Pinckney for sharing her husband so graciously, and for her support to his significant work.” The last resolution was the usual one of appreciation to the host church.

           Thanks to all who took time out of busy schedules to attend this critically important meeting: Fred & Celia; Sharon, Rod, & Tiffany; Don & Dorothy; Don M.; Millie; Tom Seibert; Bill Andrews; Bill Smith; and John Burchett; and of course Shady and myself. This time there was no opposition, but with Baptists you can never tell what to expect!

           Praise God for His grace. I believe this will mark the beginning of a great work for Him here in Virginia and elsewhere.