What Should Really Matter At This Year's Convention

There seems to be growing concern among Southern Baptist pastors about the upcoming convention and the election of a new President. This is an important issue. But what I am surprised about is the energy that has been expended concerning this election and the speculation that covers it. I don’t think there is as much talk concerning whom will win American Idol this year as compared to the opinions given for this year’s SBC’s presidential election. Well, maybe there is, but I don’t hear much talk concerning how to revitalize our churches that are on a down slope. Another program or gimmick won’t get it done. Our churches and people don’t need to be “Purpose Driven” but God guided through His Word and Holy Spirit. So here is my two cents on what the themes need to be addressed this year.

1. Why do many of our churches lack any spark of vitality and excitement about Jesus and the Gospel? What can pastor’s do to lead his congregation to be excited about Jesus.

2. How do we overcome the onslaught of pragmatism and existentialism infecting the decision making process of the church and individual believer?

3. Should the trend to send our people on mission trips continue to rise and divert money away from the cooperative program that sends missionaries to start and help grow churches? Are we Biblically called to send people on mission trips or send missionaries?

4. Are we singing the same old song? We finally got our ducks in a row with the resurgence and it seems we are still looking for something else to keep us divided. Are we still in the cleaning house mode? Who is acceptable and who isn’t? Is anyone acceptable? When do we switch gears to the original premise of the resurgence and start with the enlarging of the Kingdom? Stop with the political cloak and dagger and let’s put all the cards on the table.

5. Are we truly going to be salt? Yes, salt preserves, it makes food taste better, but it also stings if you put it on a cut or a wound. When will our actions match up with our preaching of God’s grace, mercy, and truth? We can’t even practice it among ourselves. Our merciful actions to each other could sting the world in its wound of sin. The world may accuse us of being intolerant because we stand up for the truth of scripture, but they should not have any grounds to condemn us for slandering, falsely accusing one another, or attacking each other rather than discussing the issues in Christian love.

While the issue of president of our convention is important, let’s not get side tracked and forget the weightier issues of what we are facing. Baptisms are down, personal soul winning is down, biblical knowledge and application of it is down, churches have peaked or are in a state of decline, our influence in society is waning, 85% of our teenagers graduate high school and never return to church, truth is no longer seen as absolute, adultery happens in our ranks, divorce, drug abuse, apathy has gotten a foothold in our churches and many more issues to numerous to name. These issues may be recognized and addressed by leaders, but they are dealt with and worked on at the grass roots level.

I hope we address how, as a convention, we are going to engage the post-modern world we live in and exalt Christ as Lord and Savior.