By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
BOSSIER CITY – The times are challenging and messengers attending the annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention at First Baptist in Bossier City on Nov. 9-10 will have the opportunity to respond.
Louisiana Baptist Convention President Steve Horn is hopeful messengers will embrace a new pastor-led initiative called The Pledge which aims to boost Cooperative Program giving and provide the necessary resources to meet the challenges presented by an increasingly secular culture.
First announced during the Louisiana Baptist Executive Board meeting May 5, The Pledge was birthed out of the 2020 Commission Report adopted by messengers attending the 2013 meeting of the LBC in Alexandria. The initiative challenges churches giving less than 3 percent through the less than 3 percent through the Cooperative Program to move to 5 percent by 2020; churches giving between 3 and 8 percent are encouraged to increase by 2 percent by 2020; and churches giving between 8 and 9.9 percent are asked to move to 10 percent during the same time frame. Churches already giving 10 percent through CP will be thanked and encouraged to consider increasing by 1 percent by 2020 or simply reaffirm their commitment to continue giving at their current level.
“Time will tell if this will ultimately have a positive or negative effect on CP generally and specifically in The Pledge campaign,” Horn said. “Yet, we are confident in two things. God will always provide, and God, in His Sovereignty, has chosen to use us to accomplish His plans.
“Because of this, I know that we will be better off for receiving the challenge of The Pledge,” he continued. “These are difficult days, but we must do something.”
LBC Executive Director David Hankins expressed enthusiasm regarding what messengers will hear during the presentation of The Pledge campaign on Monday evening.
“This year’s convention has the potential to set the bar of ministry for years to come as we consider The Pledge,” Hankins said. “In light of what’s happening in our culture, now is the time to pledge the support needed to see them grow in their reach and effectiveness.
“As our theme states, we serve a great God who has entrusted us with a great work in Louisiana and beyond,” Hankins continued. “I’m praying Louisiana Baptists will come to Bossier City and pledge themselves to a closer walk with our Lord and an increased commitment to give themselves and their resources to meet the challenges before us.”
In addition to The Pledge presentation, other highlights on Monday include special music by combined area choirs, a Bible study by Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro Baptist in the Atlanta area, a report by Louisiana College President Rick Brewer and a prayer delivered by Jonaan Byargeon, the wife of former LBC Executive Board President and Temple Baptist Church in Ruston Pastor Rick Byargeon, who passed away in 2013 after a battle with cancer.
Though motions will be introduced Monday evening, the bulk of the business of the Convention will take place on Tuesday.
One motion up for consideration by messengers involves guidelines for disaffiliation of a Louisiana Baptist Convention cooperating church. The credentials committee informed the LBC Executive Board of the motion during its meeting in September.
Tuesday morning highlights include the election of a new president and officers. At press time, Gevan Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Church in Haughton, was the only presidential candidate whose name will be placed in nomination. Horn is serving his final term and is not eligible for re-election.
Ronnie Floyd, current SBC President and pastor of Cross Church in Springdale Arkansas, will deliver a message during the closing session on Tuesday afternoon.
“Let me strongly encourage everyone to make plans to stay throughout the day on Tuesday,” Horn said. “The Convention will close with a message from Dr. Ronnie Floyd. We are blessed to be able to have the president of the SBC join us for our state convention.”
Floyd has prepared a video voicing his support of The Pledge and inviting Louisiana Baptists to attend the Annual Meeting. The video can be viewed at LouisianaBaptists.org.
In addition to other reports, motions and convention business, the Tuesday morning session will feature the convention worship service with Kirk Jones, pastor of Fellowship Church in Prairieville, delivering the convention sermon.
PASTORS CONFERENCE
Preceding the annual meeting is the Pastors’ Conference which is scheduled for Nov. 8-9 at First Bossier. The theme of this year’s conference is “The Higher Call: Personal Holiness, Preaching, Evangelism,” based on Colossians 3:2.
HISPANIC GATHERING
In addition to the Annual Meeting, a Hispanic version will take place at First Baptist Bossier. Fermin Whitaker, executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention of California, will be the main speaker and worship team of Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer in Shreveport will provide the music for the Annual Hispanic Fellowship Conference. The meeting will take place from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at First Bossier, with lunch included.
Carlos Schmidt, Hispanic catalytic church planter strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said “it is a great opportunity for our Hispanic leaders to come together to be ministered to.”
NOTEABLES
Gatherings for Nov. 9 include:
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni lunch, noon, Fellowship Hall of First Bossier. Cost is $10 per person (fried fish lunch) and everyone is asked to RSVP by Nov. 6 to Michael Hawley, president of the Louisiana Chapter at (hawleymm@hotamail.com). Speaking will be NOBTS’ Jerry Barlow, professor of preaching and pastoral.
- Louisiana Baptist Christian Education Association, 11:30-2:30 p.m., Ralph and Kacoo’s, Bossier City.
- African-American Fellowship Dinner, 4:30-6:30 p.m., First Bossier.
- Asian Fellowship Dinner, 4:45-6:15 p.m., First Bossier.
Gatherings for Nov. 10 include:
- Discover Church Planting Breakfast, 7 a.m., IHOP, Boardwalk in Bossier.
- Church Planting and Missions Network Lunch, noon, First Bossier.
- Retirees and Bi-Vocational/smaller church pastor luncheon, noon, First Bossier.
- Vision Haiti breakfast, 7 am, First Bossier.