What a great day of worship we had this past Sunday! We had the largest attendance we have had since Easter, with many out-of-town guests visiting with family. Allow me to use this as an occasion to remind us that being a friendly church carries two important responsibilities: 1) Greeting one another – Paul instructed the Thessalonians to greet one another with “a holy kiss.” According to a Grand Canyon University blog, “In New Testament times, a kiss on the cheek was used for greeting and implied friendship and acceptance.  A kiss of greeting between Christians implied that no elite groups existed and that all were equally loved and accepted—not only by God—but by one other.” Whether by ‘holy kiss,’ handshake, pat on the arm, or a good old hug, we should show our love for one another when we gather. 2) Greeting our guests – I wouldn’t recommend trying to give a ‘holy kiss’ to someone you don’t know, but the best way to be friendly to our guests is to speak to them. Doing so acknowledges their presence and communicates that we are glad they have come. When Janice and I visit other churches, we notice those who go out of their way to speak to us and make us feel welcomed. We also notice those who don’t. Be intentional in greeting guests. Soon, it will become an unconscious habit!

 

Not only did we have a great attendance, but I sensed a sweet spirit among us. Thank you to our Sanctuary Choir and Andrew McKnight for the special music. And, it was such a blessing to include in our Father’s Day service the Parent/Child dedication of James “Jamie” Douglas Lambert, Jr., and Ava Grace Jarrell!

 

Once again, thank you, church, for allowing me to represent you as a messenger at the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans last week. I also want to thank Lolita Lee, Dawna Gordon, David Renfro (his wife Heidi attended on Tuesday as a ‘guest”), and Anita Kendrick who also served as messengers.

 

This convention was one of the most encouraging ones I have attended. From the beginning, it was clear that our convention doesn’t shy away from the hard things, as evidenced by early resolution motions such as wisely engaging immigration, proactively engaging artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in a manner that recognizes the sovereignty and power of God, women’s involvement in fulfilling the Great Commission, affirming that only men are Scripturally qualified to serve in the office of bishop/elder/pastor, opposition to “gender transitions,” and others. Even with more than 12,000 messengers in attendance (more than 18,000 including guests), I sensed a sweet spirit and overriding commitment to uphold the authority of Scripture.

 

For me, the votes on 2 key matters were insightful and encouraging. First of all, Bart Barber was re-elected for a second term as president over Mike Stone. Both are good men, but this election served as a referendum on the SBC’s current direction and commitment to sexual abuse and misconduct reform, or a return to the practices that existed prior to the independent investigation. The landslide re-election of Bart Barber signals that our churches will not tolerate the abuse of women and children in our churches or by our church leaders, and that the reforms that are being implemented are the best way to safeguard potential victims while maintaining church autonomy.

 

The second matter was the consideration of the appeals of 3 churches that the Executive Committee had deemed as not being in “friendly cooperation” with the SBC. The EC action meant that those churches were no longer considered a part of the SBC and are, therefore, not allowed to send messengers to the annual meeting. Freedom Church in Vero Beach, Fla., was deemed to not to be in friendly cooperation because the church failed to cooperate in resolving concerns regarding a sexual abuse allegation against their pastor. Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Ca., and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., were deemed to not be in friendly cooperation with the SBC due to having “a faith and practice that does not closely identify with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith, as demonstrated by the church[es] having a female teaching pastor functioning in the office of pastor.” The appeals of these churches were overwhelmingly defeated by messengers, showing a clear conviction on the authority of Scripture as defined in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 which states, “the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”

Please keep the SBC on your prayer list. Next year’s Annual Meeting with be in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 11-12.

 

Our youth got off to Centrifuge on Monday morning. This year they are attending camp in Clinton, Mississippi. Rhys has reported that the camp is “going great. Kids still have energy and are excited!” Please pray for them, especially for those who have never opened their heart to Jesus.

You Are Loved!