Tonight was one of those nights.
We got the call at the bloggers bluster that John Meador wanted to meet with us and we went over at 7:30 to chat behind the stage. There he let me know that our little band of bloggers had done the unthinkable – we’d won the election.
I will be the president of the 2017 SBC Pastor’s Conference. We received a little over 55% of the vote for our average church, exposition-focused agenda. We’ve gotten some immediate commitments of support from some folks who think our idea is a pretty good one.
I am both excited and I’m terrified. Brutally terrified. The budget of this two day event is pretty much the annual budget of my church. The logistics are a little bit more complicated than putting together a church potluck back home. But we are in this together and we are going to be looking to expand our circle. I believe we can do something that will be different. And in a good way
I’m not sure if I’m going to sleep 10 hours tonight…or not at all. But as Todd and I sat back in the green room, we just shook our heads. We hoped to make a point when we started this. Wow. We did a little more than that.
Pray for us, please. Pretty please?
Congratulations…
And, hey, prayer and a focused agenda got us to this point, and God will see this through to his glory. 🙂
Congrats! Expectant and hopeful this is a sign of good things in the future.
This is going to be awesome. We will see an army of smaller church pastors come together to work on this, help, attend, and be a part of something totally different. Yes, attendance will be down. It is in Phoenix. But, this was worth doing. Proud of you, Dave. And happy for you. This will be a very good thing.
Congratulations! It’s exciting and refreshing. We can do more together, or so I’ve heard. God will make it work.
Congratulations Dave. The green suit in promo materials is a must.
Awesome!
Just for reference, last time the United States President was elected with over 55% was Ronald Reagan in 1984. Congratulations to Dave for doing so! 😀
Congrats, Dave. This may be the beginning of a return to practicality.
Congratulations, Dave.
Congrats! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help
Congratulations! Prayers and support! Looking forward to next year and planning to be there myself!
Congrats! I hadn’t thought about it before you mentioned it on the stage at the end of the evening, but you got me curious when you also mentioned “simple worship.” What’s the vision in that area?
Excellent, congratulations. This is a good thing for the SBC…
You’ve got the tiger by the tail! Hang on! Lol
Excited for next year’s conference. Congratulations, Dave!
Congratulations! Was excited when I heard the announcement via live stream.
Congratulations Dave!
Congratulations, Dave. Wish I could have been there to vote for you, too. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not… Read more »
Dave, It’s great to have a friend in high places. I am forwarding you a sermon I have on the “Cows of Bashaan” to see if it pastor conference quality.
You’ve already said what you’re going to do!! What I’m praying for is that God invests your intention with the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit and it demonstrates to the Convention God’s blessing on the intention and on the strategy.
Not dismissing the often excellent leadership of the larger church pastors: but we need to unlock the leadership potential of our small churches. And we need the churches in the most unchurched areas to be prominent partners in reaching the unreached.
It is completely logical that God, in His sovereignty, may well call the best pastors to lead small churches, as well as large ones. It is our fleshly minds which equate pastoral skills with church attendance.
Well done, sir. Perhaps this will get you and your fellow smaller church pastors the attendance you all deserve.
Fantastic!
I’ve followed this blog for 2 years and I’m excited for you. This is a good thing.
Congratulations!
Start raising money now! When I was President of the State Pastor’s Conference in Illinois, I learned the hard way how expensive putting together a meeting like this is and how little real help I received. Publish the address where we can send support as soon as practical. There will likely be a smaller crowd in Phoenix, so you should factor that in your preparations.
Enough doom and gloom… thank you for taking this on. I will be praying that the LORD will richly bless you and the 2017 SBC Pastor’s Conference!
congrats and prayers for God’s favor and fruit that remains to come in Phoenix 2017.
Haven’t commented in forever, but this deserves a hearty congratulations! In the midst of all planning chaos, remember 1 Peter 5:7: “[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Congrats!
It was funny. Since 9:30 last night when this was announced, I’ve become popular on Twitter! Every small church pastor in America wants to be my friend!
Congratulations Dave! Proud of you and Praying for you in this new role. God bless you.
Congratulations
Congratulations
CONGRATULATIONS AND OUR PRAYER SUPPORT WITH YOU ALWAYS. GOOD THINGS WILL COME THROUGH THIS. AMEN, AMEN & AMEN
I’m in Tucson Az and would be willing to help you guys in any way. Dr. David Johnson and his staff at Arizona SBC will be an invaluable resource. Prayers for you!