A Word from Your Mission Strategist, Steve Laughman
Many of you have asked for my observations from attending the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville. If you want a full breakdown, feel free to contact me, and we can sit down for a lengthier discussion. For now, here are my key takeaways:
· Don’t believe anything you read in the national media. Controversy sells and gets people to click on links. A more accurate summary can be found at the Baptist Press or The Christian Index. The spirit of cooperation among those attending remains strong. As Baptists we are good at expressing how we think and feel about a matter, but when it’s all said and done, we agree on most things.
· Good worship sets the tone for good business meetings. We handle discussion better when we have just met with the Lord in prayer and worship together.
· Once again, the International Mission Board commissioning service was the highlight of the convention. What a joy it is to celebrate the sending of missionaries to the ends of the earth!
· We can be thankful for the work being done at our six seminaries to equip men and women for ministry. The joint report from our seminary Presidents was very encouraging.
· The Executive Committee expressed that they welcome accountability regarding their handling of issues related to sexual abuse. After the focus on this issue over the last few years a motion to conduct an audit of the EC’s response was overwhelmingly affirmed.
· Another highlight of the convention was when our very own Pastor John Blackmon from Meansville introduced a motion to have NAMB and Lifeway research and produce materials to reach the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. The motion was very well received and has resulted in much support from our national entities.
Thank you for allowing Marni and me to attend the convention and thank you for your support of the work through the Cooperative Program and gifts to CBA. We have the privilege of working together to accomplish so much throughout this world. As an association of churches, we at Centennial voluntarily partner together for ministry and missions. I pray we will continue to be effective both here where God has planted us and throughout the world as He allows.
