A Word from Your Mission Strategist, Steve Laughman
In addition to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Marni and I get to attend the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (SBCAL) in the two days prior to the SBC. Every time we get to be with other associational leaders from across the country, we are reminded of a few things. First, I am reminded that we are not alone in this work. Associations of all sizes and varying contexts are working with churches to accomplish this work of making disciples. Secondly, I am reminded that God is at work among His people all over the world. Finally, I am reminded that we get to serve in the best place with the best churches and the best people. You may think I am biased or that I am exaggerating, but the truth is that God placed us here, because this is the best place for us to serve. We are extremely grateful for you and for the privilege of serving you.
The SBC was held in New Orleans this year during Pride month. Talk about two very different groups of people. I witnessed preachers and drag queens walking down the same street all while the smell of someone smoking something of questionable legality was wafting through the air. (I’m fairly confident it wasn’t coming from the preachers.) In the middle of this mission field, Southern Baptists have a permanent presence in the form of churches and a seminary. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students along with Baptists from around the country were among the 12,180 who participated in Send Relief Serve Tour and Crossover events in the days leading up to the Convention. They reported 3,487 Gospel conversations resulting in at least 336 professions of faith. If you heard anything negative about the convention, remember that God brought believers together, missionaries were commissioned, and souls were saved.
As Southern Baptist churches we have the opportunity to partner for missions and ministry in so many ways. Doctrinal Integrity is a hallmark of who we are, but so is the autonomy of the local body of believers. I am thankful that despite our differences, we get to serve together. I am thankful that I am not called to serve as the Bishop over local churches, but as the associational leader. When we have disagreements, we can and should be able to work through them for the sake of our Gospel witness and our love for one another. Even when our Convention has made the hard decision to part ways with churches over doctrinal issues or practices, we need to remember that we are to move on peaceably. Our only enemy is Satan, and he will use anything to gain a foothold. Let us not allow him to stir up strife among brothers and sisters.
As we enter the second half of 2023, I am thankful for what God has done through our churches this year and I look forward to more great reports of salvations and baptisms. “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.” (Galatians 6:9)
