The Southern Baptist Convention in Houston: Reflections on Day 1

I continue my conversation with fellow Southern Baptists this week, understanding that many of you readers do not identify with my denomination. I am happy, though, to have you here. Feel free to offer comments on this post and others.

In 1972 Walter Shurden wrote Not a Silent People, a book about the controversies that have shaped the Southern Baptist Convention. We do have a reputation for arguing about major issues, not-so-major issues, minor issues, trivial issues, insignificant issues, and absurd issues.

At least we are consistent.

The tenor of this annual meeting, however, is more placid than usual. Sure, you can always count of some of the business, motions and questions to raise eyebrows, get a scattering of “amens,’ elicit chuckles, and largely induce yawns. And, for certain, there are some serious matters brought to the floor as well.

My observations about the first day are largely positive. Much of my perspective is related to the morning presentation by Kevin Ezell and the North American Mission Board. Under Kevin’s keen leadership, he got us focused on those things that really matter. He provided a great start to SBC 2013.

Here are a few of my random observations:

Total messenger count is around 5,000. While there are a number of people present who aren’t messengers, this number is unusually low for an annual meeting that is held in a southern or southwestern location. The low number can be partly explained by a non-contested presidential election. That does not explain fully, however, the unusually low attendance,
Kevin Ezell got our focus right when he reminded us that we can’t continue to deny we have many sick and dying churches. We must increase the birthrate of churches and decrease the death rate.
Southern Baptists started 929 new churches in 2012. Over the past ten years, however, an average of 1,000 churches a year have closed.
Westboro Baptist Church (which is neither Baptist nor a church) had protestors present. That’s probably a good thing. It helps the world know that they have NO relationship to Southern Baptists.
Fred Luter was his usual effective and gracious self. Southern Baptists are blessed to have him as our leader and spokesman. His evening message was powerful. He was elected to a second term unopposed. I don’t think we fully grasp what a great gift he is to Southern Baptists and the evangelical world.
I actually am beginning to have a bit of hope that we might just start working together more on the Great Commission. It seems we are growing weary of the divisions and divisive talk. There is a hunger for us to unite for the sake of the gospel. Though Houston will not be marked as a remarkable convention from an attendance perspective, perhaps it will be the marker of a renewed era of focusing on those things that really matter.
LifeWay has a robot at the exhibit hall. Just sayin’ . . .

One more report to follow tomorrow. See you then.