By Randy C. Davis
President and executive director, TBMB
Randy Davis
Southern Baptist Convention annual meetings are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you might find.
I know that is paraphrased wisdom imparted by Forrest Gump’s momma, but it certainly applies, and it certainly applies to the people who attend. So many friends and faces from across the years, you never know who you may run into that offers a warm remembrance.
For instance, a lady in her early 40s introduced herself and said I probably wouldn’t remember her but that I’d baptized her when she was a little girl while I was pastor in Vancleave, Miss. That was early in my pastoral journey and at a church Jeanne and I still dearly love. She and her husband now serve a Southern Baptist church in Michigan where he is pastor. Reminiscing with her was a special moment.
But God gave me several special moments at this year’s SBC.
Indianapolis was one of them. Downtown Indy is a great place to visit and a wonderful place to have a convention. The blend of historical and cosmopolitan architecture surrounds one of the most beautiful state capitals you will find outside of Tennessee.
Being reminded by Dr. Jeff Iorg that the mission matters most was another moment.
Bart Barber delivers his final president’s address June 11 during the SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
— Photo by Van Payne / The Baptist Paper
It is obvious that Jeff Iorg is called “for such a time as this” to serve as the president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. He used that phrase, “the mission matters most,” in his first message to the convention. It was a solid reminder that what bring us together under our shared doctoral confessions is Great Commission work. I left the SBC with confidence that the mission moving forward is in good hands under Dr. Iorg’s steady leadership.
I felt there was also a special moment to be found even in the rigorous discussions leading up to the convention and in the final vote regarding the Law Amendment. Most of the related discourse was done with mutual respect. Even though the majority affirmed passage of the amendment, the measure failed to receive the required two-thirds affirmative vote to become effective.
Despite the division in vote, we remain anchored to the Baptist Faith and Message and unified in mission as a collective people. The process reminded us how we should conduct ourselves as we do kingdom business together.
The outgoing SBC president also provided special moments.
Bart Barber presided well. He was knowledgeable of parliamentary rules, clear in his instructions, fair in his decisions and respectful toward messengers. He brought levity at appropriate times, and participating as a messenger, I left Indy appreciative of Bart.
And let’s be honest, it was a highlight anytime Don Currence went to the microphone. Currence is the SBC’s registration secretary, but he is also administrative pastor at First Baptist Church, Ozark, Mo., where he’s served for the last 30 years. He is also the city’s mayor. Mayor Currence guided 10,000 messengers through the balloting process with clarity, aplomb, humor and humility. May we all hunger for the attitude of service and humility that Don exudes.
I’ve saved the greatest of the special moments for last.
The appointment of fellow Southern Baptists to be ambassadors for Jesus to international mission fields is always the highlight of any convention for me.
These committed men and women are a visual reminder of who we are at our core. We are Great Commission people proclaiming the salvation offered by the Lord Jesus Christ to the uttermost parts of the earth. How could that not be the highlight!
And we make that possible, together, through Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering giving. It is a special moment to be reminded that even the smallest church among us has the opportunity to participate in a global missions effort.
And on that note, let me invite you to the 150th anniversary of the Tennessee Baptist Convention which will kick off Sunday, Nov. 10, with an IMB sending celebration. IMB President Paul Chitwood will preach followed by the appointment of new missionaries.
The SBC annual meeting was an encouraging time and I left Indianapolis with the feeling the SBC seems to be on a promising trajectory. And as I’ve said for 15 years. it’s great to be a Tennessee Baptist!
It’s a joy to be on this journey with you.
