After making a rainy drive to Columbus and back,
and stopping to see friends in Indianapolis along the way, we are back home in
the Ozarks. As I reflect back on the
annual meeting, here are five observations I would share:
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| Columbus, Ohio - Site of 2015 SBC Annual Meeting |
2) The
restructuring of the agenda was also a good thing. Rather than each session having a little bit
of everything, sessions were more built around a particular theme (business, entity
reports, missions, etc.). For
left-brained people like me, we appreciate the organization. It seemed to give the meeting better over-all flow.
3) The
only thing I would change about this year’s agenda was having the annual sermon
at the very end of the meeting. This
almost made it an after-thought. The
annual sermon represents one of the only times when someone other than an
officer or entity head is given an extended opportunity to speak. If we are truly a “bottom-up” organization,
then the annual sermon needs to be featured more prominently.
4) I am
excited about David Platt as head of the IMB, and I sense others are as
well. To me, Platt was the most engaging
speaker at the meeting this year.
Passion for the Great Commission poured out of him as he spoke. At one point he said, “The bow of God’s wrath
is aimed at millions around the globe!” (Wow!
A little Jonathan Edwards coming out there!)
The commissioning service on Wednesday morning was particularly
powerful.
5) Gay
marriage was seemingly at the forefront of everyone’s minds in Columbus, and
rightfully so. Beginning with the
presidential address, and extending throughout the meeting, Southern Baptists
made our position on gay marriage very clear, which we needed to do. I am proud of us for that. Our stance is not popular, but it is right.
The Southern Baptist Convention is not perfect. We have our problems. But I left Columbus encouraged that we are still a people who hold to the authority of God’s Word, and are committed to the spread of the gospel.
The Southern Baptist Convention is not perfect. We have our problems. But I left Columbus encouraged that we are still a people who hold to the authority of God’s Word, and are committed to the spread of the gospel.
