Now that a few days have gone by, I’ve had some time to process the events of this year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando. Here are a few highlights of this year’s meeting:
1. The Pastor’s Conference
Kevin Ezell did an outstanding job putting together a conference that would appeal to Southern Baptists across generational lines.
- We heard from Southern Baptists like Mac Brunson, David Landrith and Steve Gaines.
- We also heard from the seminaries (Danny Akin, Russell Moore, Al Mohler).
- We listened to pastors who are popular with the younger generation (Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, CJ Mahaney).
The final sermon, from David Platt, resounded through the Convention like a trumpet, uniting Southern Baptists around the call to sacrifice for the Great Commission (even if there were differing views as to the GCR Report).
2. Connecting Points
One of the benefits of the Southern Baptist Convention is the opportunity to connect with so many friends and acquaintances. It was fun to meet a group from my home church and to also catch up with people who attended seminary with me.
I did a book signing at the LifeWay in the Convention hall on Tuesday morning. I was humbled to sit next to David Platt – humbled not just because he is a man of God who I respect (though he is that!), but because he had 10 times more people waiting in line for him to sign books!
Two connecting points were a highlight for me: dinner with Matt Chandler on Monday night (in which we spent probably half our conversation talking about a favorite subject – the gospel!), and dinner on Tuesday night with a dozen young men – all in various sorts of ministry – with Dr. Rainer and Dr. Waggoner. I was encouraged to see great passion for the gospel and the Great Commission.
3. The GCR Vote
What will the results of the GCR vote be? It remains to be seen. Had the Convention not affirmed the recommendations of this Task Force, it would have been a devastating blow to those who believe that the Convention needs both systemic and spiritual renewal.
Overall, I was impressed by the level of respect in the Convention Hall during the discussion and debate over the recommendations. (Unfortunately, the same level of respect was often absent on Twitter.) The fact that Southern Baptists were debating how best to cooperate in fulfilling the Great Commission is in itself a blessing. If it weren’t for the Conservative Resurgence, we would probably be in a fight over an issue like blessing same-sex unions.
Overall Reflections
My first Convention experience was San Antonio in 2007. My wife and I remarked at how small the crowd was. I don’t know the median age of attendees in 2007, but I would guess it was 60.
In Louisville last year, there was a marked increase in participation from young people. It seemed like excitement was building for reuniting around our common mission.
This year, the crowd was much younger, much more diverse, and much larger than San Antonio three years ago. Though the numbers were not as great as some expected, it is clear that momentum is building. We may have reached a tipping point in which certain groups of Southern Baptists who have not always felt welcome (perhaps due to theological distinctives or methodological practices) now see the Convention as a help, rather than a hindrance, in cooperating to spread the gospel.
I was surprised by the attendance at the B21 Panel on Tuesday. There were 1300+ young Southern Baptists present (4 times as many as at the Louisville luncheon in ’09). I realize how difficult it is for many people my age to find the money and time to travel long distances for a Convention like the SBC. If the B21 lunch was any indication, it appears that a new generation of Southern Baptists has recently become re-energized around cooperating through the Convention.
