I’m headed to the Baptist Convention of Iowa on Friday for our annual meeting in Des Moines. We will have a Pastor’s Banquet on Friday night with Dr. Jason Allen, a CP breakfast on Saturday with a fella named Frank Page, then our convention has been compacted into a one day event. I have a long drive home so I would try to sneak away early, but they often schedule something big as the finale. I haven’t looked, but I suspect Dr. Page’s message might be the closing event – no way I’m missing that! We are electing a all new officers this year and our convention has had some political roiling the last few years – too long a story to go into and not important enough to anyone outside our state. We are seeing some significant changes and transitions in our convention – not sure what we are going to look like in two or three years. We seem to be experiencing growth, so that’s good.
- What is going on in your state convention?
- Are you attending this year?
- What are the key challenges facing your convention?
- What changes are taking place? Struggles?
Tell Uncle Dave all about it.
The Missouri Baptist Convention (Oct 26 – 28) was upbeat and hopeful. John Yeats has done a great job of stablizing the MBC and putting our focus on the future instead of focusing on past fights. I have nothing but good to say for this man’s leadership. There was nothing very amazing or discouraging shared at this year’s MBC. John Yeats’s message did hint at further structural changes in the works within the MBC which will likely result in further staff downsizing as well with some decentralizing of resources using PT staff already living throughout the state vs. a single person living in Jefferson City. I support these efforts even if it does cause some great MBC people to lose their jobs.
The only fly in the ointment is the ongoing lawsuit over the MBC entities who illegally voted to severe their ties with the MBC. This lawsuit is now 12 years old and EVERYONE is getting weary of the fight. We have once again been told that this year could very well be the year things turn our way. So far messengers seem to have given John Yeats a pass on this. However, if there is not some sort of resolution by next MBC things may not be as civil concerning the lawsuit. Attendance was good (1,000+). The Pastor’s Conf was exceptional. The theme for both struck a common cord, if we do not get back to making evangelism/discipleship our priority our churches will continue to die. We must find ways to engage the culture with integrity. If all we do is withdraw from society or throw rocks at hose who disagree with our morals we will continue to lose influence in society. THAT is a message our churches & pastors need to hear…including me and mine!
My state, Georgia, has a contested presidential election but no big issues that I know of. The state convention has proposed a reinvention which would if approved (a) change the state convention’s name, (b) decentralize somewhat, (c) add some specific tasks to be available to churches through the state convention, (d) sell our big building, eventually, and (e) implement a plan to retain pastors in the field on a short term basis (12 months or less) for pay (maybe $1k monthly) to work with SC personnel in helping churches.
Our state is like many sun belt states. The state’s population has grown by over 50% in the last quarter century while SBC churches have grown by around 10%. The state convention is searching for the right formula to connect with churches.
Our state convention (BGAV) has a contested presidential election that I wrote about here a week or so ago. I have also proposed a resolution to be considered by the Resolutions Committee (http://onetruejoy.blogspot.com/2015/10/resolution-for-2015-bgav-annual-meeting.html). A partnership between our state convention and the Baptist House at Duke Divinity has also been proposed. I am not happy about it, and plan to speak against it. Should be an interesting meeting.
Shameless plugging. 😉
Adam,
I’m curious why you are opposed to the Duke thing. I had a former student complete his MDiv at Duke and BH was one olace where he felt welcomed and at home.
One does not have to search very long to find acceptance of homosexuality among the faculty of Duke Divinity. In fact, one of the faculty members listed on the Baptist House website has tweeted favorably concerning LGBT issues quite a bit. The director of the Baptist House signed a 2012 statement put out by the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.
As if those things were not enough, the covenant agreement between the Baptist House and the BGAV mentions the Baptist House’s commitment to “scriptural imagination.” I’ll let you google that one and tell me what you think.
I am sure there are a lot of good people at Duke Divinity, including in the Baptist House. That does not mean, however, that I think the BGAV should be forming a partnership with them.
Sorry Adam, but your recent posts and comments make me thankful to be out of the Old Dominion and in Iowa.
I don’t miss those battles.
Arkansas had another good convention. We have excellent leadership and elected a strong slate of officers. We had good attendance and reflecting the strong support for our convention from our state. We also had good reports from our two colleges, Williams Baptist and Ouachita Baptist. No items of conflict that I was aware of.
I just got back from the Florida Baptist Convention. We voted to go to a real 51/49% split for the CP. There are also money triggers that will increase that split up to 60/40! The budget passed with no dissenting votes.
What Florida has done has been inspirational to the SBC.
What Florida has done is in many ways showing the way for old line states. I know my state, MS, increased our CP portion by .25% this year. The break down is %62.75 in state and 37.25% CP.
I do want to add that not all cuts in state budgets is simply trimming unnecessary fat. In our trustee meetings this year at NOBTS we approved an increase in tuition for students attending our Florida extension centers because the FBC cut funding that paid a portion of this tuition. While not drastic at the present these fees will increase substantially in the future. NOBTS is phasing in the increases. NOBTS is working hard to secure scholarship funding to offset the increase for current students in our programs. Any answer other than an increase in individual and church giving is more complicated than most of us realize.