I've been going to Baptist State Convention annual meetings since I was pastor of a congregation located almost off the edge of Arkansas. I have a pastor friend, "Brother Rick," who seemed to like nothing better than "Conventioning," and always encouraged me to go with him to them. I guess old habits are hard to break.
It is nice to get away and get immersed in the news, networking, and preaching that goes on at a Baptist Convention. I see old friends, find out "Whereya at now?," and catch up on preacher talk.
I am also inspired as well as challenged by the reports and messages as they come from the convention floor.
Over the years, Southern Baptists have had plenty to fight over. Convention fights make for large conventions. I've attended the Louisiana Baptist Convention for each of the eight years I've served in the state.
But this is one convention where "I seen so many things I ain't never seen before." (Apologies to Hoyt Axton)
First, the attendance. The announced registered messengers at this year's Louisiana Baptist Convention was just over 700- less than half of the number registered just a few years ago. No controversy, (sigh) no show.
Second, I don't recall any motions being offered from the floor when time was alloted. A Baptist meeting and no one made a motion? Yes, miracles still occur. Even the resolutions, quite a sticking point in years past, sailed smoothly through the business session.
In one convention in Texas I attended, I voted on every motion and was in the majority on only two: the motion to extend time for debate, and the motion to adjourn. Hey, I have to feel I've won something.
Third, officers were handily elected- with one exception. That is a remarkable occurrence. When it came time to elect a second Vice President, there were NO nominations. No one took the floor. No line of messengers stood before the floor microphones ready to nominate and debate.
What do we do?
Mercifully, we were rescued by a messenger who finally came to a mike, was recognized, and then proceeded to nominate his son for the position. He then observed, "I don't know if he is even on the Convention Floor right now!" What 'till the boy hears what his dad just did!
How about that! Nominated after an embarrassing pause by your father, and you weren't even there. The moderator gratefully accepted the nomination and since there was no opposition, had the Executive Director place a unanimous ballot on behalf of the nominee. Now we had a new second Vice President. In years past, it seemed that virtually everyone at the convention had someone to nominate for President, Vice President, or Second Vice President. At the very least, everyone had a favorite in the race.
Not this time. There wasn't even a race.
Finally, another first for me, the avid convention goer: The annual Convention sermon scheduled to be preached by our president, Rod Masteller, on Monday evening was really not a sermon at all.
It was a message from a man with a broken heart. He literally wept as he spoke of his burden concerning the sins and hurts of our nation. He concluded by challenging us to fast at least once a week and seek God for our country's repentance and revival.
There was a sustained, holy hush over the assembled messengers. When he finished, the somber tone settled over us and we weren't sure what to do next. As he challenged us to pray, dozens of people knelt at their seats (on the concrete floor) or near the stage and prayed. The man who was to dismiss the session in prayer commented that we had just heard from a "weeping prophet."
I and my friends with me felt moved and challenged. A man had spoken out of the deep recesses of his soul and it was humbling to us all.
I've never seen that at an annual meeting of a Baptist Convention, either.
Perhaps humility, brokenness, and weeping would be a very good place to begin a new tradition at our Baptist gatherings.
All those in favor?
