This week’s thought is from Lisa King, who served as a messenger to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention this year. I am thankful for her – as well as the other messengers’ – prayerful and thoughtful participation this year. I thought it would be a good thing for you to hear the perspectives of some of those who attended and not just my own. ~Pastor Roy
As a first time attendee of the Annual Meeting, my original focus was on learning the processes of the business side of the event: resolutions, motions, amendments, recommendations, committees, voting. It’s a lot to take in, and I think I still have a lot to learn. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the General Sessions and Pastors’ Conference were filled with renewing and reviving testimony, worship, and praise.
I thoroughly enjoyed the study of the Beatitudes at the Pastors’ Conference and appreciated how each of the speakers emulated the beatitude they were chosen to speak about. Robert Smith, Jr. opened the conference with an overview of the beatitudes, and I was blown away by his passion.
Though the Annual Meeting is basically a business meeting, and, at times, can seem monotonous, the panel discussions and reports were informative. The best part, though, had to be the beautifully orchestrated Mission Sending Celebration, where we officially “sent” our missionaries to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have not yet heard. It is always humbling for me to be in the presence of those who live to serve our Lord in often dangerous circumstances – Gospel Above All (the theme of the Annual Meeting).
There were many interesting motions and resolutions brought forth and discussed in the proceedings of the Annual Meeting. But, I’m most grateful that the Convention has taken a unified stance against sexual abuse perpetrated in the church, and I hope we at Faith can approach the topic similarly and choose to Care Well for those affected by abuse of every kind.
In closing, I would like to thank you all for the opportunity to serve on behalf of our church as a messenger.
0 Comments