By David E. Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention
It was good and hot. The hot part you could surmise. After all, it was in Phoenix, Ariz. in June! But it was also good – good fellowship, good preaching, good conduct. Although the attendance was lower than expected, the business was completed efficiently and orderly. The officers executed their work with dignity and warmth. The reports from our ministries were inspiring and encouraging. Both mission boards commissioned new missionaries as a part of their presentations.
The emphasis this year centered around 1) the urgency of reaching the nations with the gospel, and 2) the importance of pursuing this together through Cooperative Program ministries and through all our denominational partners. There were no task force reports and no issues that embroiled the convention in controversy. Overall, it was a quiet, peaceful meeting, marked by goodwill and a desire to move forward in kingdom advance.
Perhaps the most significant facet of the 2011 SBC meeting is that it was the inaugural convention for three of our most important leaders: the new Executive Committee President Frank Page, the new NAMB President Kevin Ezell, and the new IMB President Tom Elliff. All of them gave excellent presentations.
Frank Page initiated a covenant of cooperation that was signed by all SBC and state convention and ethnic fellowship leaders. This symbolic gesture sets a great tone for our future common work. Dr. Page’s greatest challenge will be forging an effective and compelling strategy for re-invigorating declining Cooperative Program participation.
Kevin Ezell is leading NAMB to prioritize church planting as the premier mission of the NAMB. This enterprise has the most moving parts in the SBC. It involves 42 state conventions, 1,200 associations, and all the churches. His challenge will be implementing new strategies without eviscerating existing effective work, and without harming relationships that make the work possible.
Tom Elliff is casting a vision for connecting Southern Baptists congregations with the 3,800 identified unengaged people groups in the world. His challenge will be in crafting a strategy that helps churches of all sizes be a part of this effort, while maintaining and increasing support for the career missionary force. This is a monumental undertaking.
All three of these leaders and their organizations need and deserve our prayers. We are expecting great things.
Louisiana Baptists played a key role at the convention. John Yeats, LBC communications director, was recording secretary and will be again next year.
Waylon Bailey, pastor of FBC, Covington, was appointed chair of the Committee on Nominations.
Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, was elected first vice president of the SBC. Other Louisiana Baptists served on various boards and committees and more were elected for the coming years. It was great to see so many Louisiana Baptists in attendance out in the desert during this “off” year.
The SBC is coming to us. Our 2012 SBC meeting is in New Orleans. Work is already underway for a great meeting. Crossover preparations are being developed. Committees are being formed.
The year 2012 is the 200th anniversary of Baptist work in Louisiana. One of the most significant opportunities for next year could be, Lord willing, the election of Dr. Luter as our president, the first African-American president in our history.
Start planning now to be there and help us welcome Southern Baptists to our state.