First of all let me say thank you to the members of Franconia Baptist who allowed me to take the better part of a week to represent our church along with Bruce, Andrea, Kevin, and Shantell at this year's SBC convention in Phoenix, AZ.
This was my second SBC convention and the second time that Franconia was represented in recent memory. Going to a convention has its high points and low points. Every family has at least one crazy uncle and we're no exception, but on balance I came away for the second year in a row encouraged by many of the developing trends.
This year the theme of both the annual meeting and the pastors' conference was most definitely missions, which was highly appropriate considering the weight of last year's Great Commission Resurgence efforts.
Rather than give you a blow by blow I'll just share a few highlights that stuck out to me. First of all, Bryant Wright proved to be completely deserving of his current and future role as president of the convention. Pastor Wright lead the convention with dignity, sincerity, and a deep sense of spiritual seriousness.
The pastors' conference was blessed to have a number of talented preachers, but the most significant sermon was delivered by Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church who focused on the first imperative of the Lord's prayer "hallowed be thy name". In doing so Piper made a passionate appeal that we must be about the business of "hallowing God's name". In other words are whole lives must be completed devoted to the glory of God.
Both the International Missions Board (IMB) and the North American Missions Board (NAMB) were represented by their new presidents. Both gave compelling reports about the needed changes within these venerable organizations. Our prayers will go up for Drs. Eliff and Ezell as they seek to guide and direct these critical components of the denomination into the future. The FBC Missions Committee is prayerfully considering how we can take an even stronger role in partnering with both the IMB and NAMB.
Going to the SBC convention takes a week out of the busy schedule of those who attend and it costs a bit of money as well, but given its role in setting the course of the denomination it is time and money well spent. I'll be looking forward to seeing how the themes discussed in Phoenix are playing out by the time we all meet next year in New Orleans.
