SBC 2009, part 1
Posted by pastor on July 5, 2009
Another anuual meeting of the SBC has come and gone. We met in Louisville, KY from June 21-24. Attendace was up from last year’s meeting in Indianapolis – we had more than 8,700 messengers at our 152nd meeting.
Also of note, the messengers seemed to be younger than in previous years. For the past few years, there has been much worry over the fact that younger pastors seemed to be ignoring the annual meeting. My generation has been lacking representation when the churches of the SBC meet to conduct business. This year, however, was different. During the first night of the meeting, I thought I noticed a younger crowd than previous years. Then, as the week went on, several speakers commented on the trend as well. I find it encouraging that th next generation is stepping up to the plate and wants to see the work of the SBC continue. (For the Baptist Press story on this, see http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=30776.)
There were many reports and motions and resolutions that were heard throughout the meeting, but the issue of most debate and, I think, greatest importance was a motion to appoint a Great Commission Task Force. Stemming from a sermon preached by Dr. Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and then converted by him into a document called Toward a Great Commission Resurgence, the motion called for SBC President Johnny Hunt to appoint a task force to study how Southern Baptists can work “more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission.” Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, made the motion and spoke forcefully for it. After several minutes of debate, the motion passed overwhelmingly. (For more info on the GCR, see http://www.bpnews.net/BPCollectionNews.asp?ID=156 and http://greatcommissionresurgence.com/.)
