Looking Forward to SBC 2023

There are many reasons why I love both the Southern Baptist Convention and the coalition of churches that affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention. Although there is often drama (especially through social media) in the weeks leading up to and during the annual meetings, the blessings of the gathering and the affiliation are worth the cost to me.

It’s always good to remember that the Southern Baptist Convention only exists two days a year. We are not a hierarchical denomination, but a coalition of autonomous churches who have agreed for this time to work together toward a common purpose based on our shared commitment to a common understanding of doctrine.

The Draw of Drama

Photo courtesy of the International Mission Board.

Most years there are some folks that try to steer to convention toward a narrower understanding of cooperation based on their reading of Scripture. This year there is also one individual with a large social media following encouraging the convention to abandon doctrine altogether; that script was tried before by theological liberals during the Conservative Resurgence.

Most of the time those calling for revision to our doctrine fail because the doctrinal statement that the churches of the SBC gather around is a pretty solid document that has been revised a few times, but has been around for hundreds of years. It is vague in the places where Scripture tends to be less clear; it is clear where Scripture and the historic witness of the church, especially Baptists, have found it clear. It’s not perfect. It’s not Scripture. But it is a good touchstone for friendly cooperation.

The drama draws the attention because talking about agreement is not exciting and highlighting good things is only interesting for a moment. Evolutionary psychologists will say that humans have evolved to focus on negatives because they will kill us. Scripture shows us that we tend to focus on the negatives because we are sinful people whose hearts are warped toward the negative.

But the drama is about 4% of the meat of the meeting.

A Variegated Blessing

There is an incredible gospel power at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This year there are already over 12,000 messengers from local churches from around the United States registered for the SBC. There will likely be over 15,000 people who all come together to share how God is working in our corner of the globe and discuss what we hope to do for God in the coming year.

Although the attire will pale in comparison to the Mardi Gras costumes common in New Orleans, there will be people wearing a wide range of clothing. From suits, to overalls, to skinny jeans, to shorts and flip-flops. It’s a melting pot of socio-economic groups from all different demographics and locations.

Everyone there is willing to talk about what the gospel is doing. Even those folks angriest about whatever the current hot-button issue is are really more excited about the gospel than whatever they read (or wrote) online.

That’s the beauty of the SBC.

Praise God for his people and the work they are doing.

The Best Thing

There is no question that my absolute favorite part of the annual meeting of the SBC is meeting with my friends who are serving Christ around the globe. One of the huge benefits of an in-person theological education during my decade sojourn at seminary is that I now have friends and acquaintances with a common experience. When I walk through the SBC’s meeting hall and the exhibit area, I see hundreds of people that I have sung with, prayed with, and studied with. We may have never been inner-circle chums, but it’s always great to shake hands and hear what God is doing.

But the friendliness and sharing isn’t limited to those we already know.

Every messenger in that room has the most important thing in common. We all share a love for Jesus Christ and a desire to see his name made great.

We may have differing opinions on how to go about that mission. Some of those differences may be more or less important.

At the end of the day, I’ve never found anyone at the convention that doesn’t want to talk about God’s work in their corner of the world.

There are no strangers, we are all one in Christ. So, asking someone how their ministry is going is a surefire way to break the ice and get people talking.

The best thing about the SBC annual meeting is hearing people who do ministry much differently than I ever would sharing about how God is using them. It’s a beautiful thing.

Cooperation

We can cooperate with a wide range of people in different efforts. But cooperation has to have some limits, even for significant goals.

I can cooperate with an atheist to outlaw elective abortion, but I can’t worship with them because we don’t agree on the existence of God.

I can cooperate with a theological liberal to publish a book, but I can’t write a systematic theology with one because we don’t agree on the substance or method.

I can worship with a Presbyterian, but I can’t lead a Presbyterian church. We don’t agree on what it takes to become a member.

I can work to promote the gospel in my community with an egalitarian Christian, but I can’t plant a church with one. We either don’t agree on what how the Bible defines the role of pastor or whether what Scripture says matters.

Cooperation is a beautiful thing. The friendly community among believers is the best thing about the SBC.

This year I’m looking forward to experiencing cooperation and community, even as we clarify the purpose and basis of cooperation among churches associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.