In Review

Last night, after driving in the snow for 8 hours, I arrived home from the Baptist Identity Conference II at Union University. When I told friends I was going to the conference I got a lot of raised eyebrows and the question "why would you want to do something like that?". I had many reasons. Primarily I was interested in what Southern Baptist leaders had to say. I have realized over the last several months that I have been baptist all my life, attended Sunday School, GA's, youth choir, I even went to a Southern Baptist college and nursing school, yet still find I know little about what Southern Baptists really believe (or are supposed to believe).

First let me say thank you to Union University. They organized a wonderful conference. The speakers were first rate, obviously more than competent, even experts, in their topics. The Union staff was attentive to every detail, meeting any need quickly and efficiently.

I won't bore you with details of all the speakers but a few stand out.

Frank Page spoke on the future of the Cooperative Program. He is currently President of the SBC and my pastor when I lived in Augusta. He spoke passionately about our mindset, motive and method of getting the gospel to the world. He called for unity on essentials and cooperation on non-essentials. Dr. Page is a gracious and humble man and it was a pleasure to hear him again.

Mike Day presented an alternative to our current local associations and state conventions. He made a lot of sense, suggesting we organize our associations so they can support the local church (instead of directing it) in the mission of the gospel.

Timothy George, head of Beeson Divinity School, made a statement I found very telling. Beeson is not a SBS seminary but a divinity school with Baptist and other denominations numbered among the faculty. He has studied scripture and the tenets of many denominations. When asked why he remained a Baptist he responded, "where else do you go? What other denomination follows the teaching of scripture as closely?" That was significant. It affirmed to me that I am in the right place, even if I don't always agree.

David Dockery, the president of Union, spoke on the history of the SBC since 1979. In doing so he followed our history back to our beginning on May 8, 1845. I have to say I learned more about Baptist history and core beliefs from his hour long lecture than I have in 42 years on a pew.

Maybe the one who caught my attention the most was Ed Stetzer. He spoke on the missional church. He said there was a difference between being mission minded and being missional. The former will give money and pray for missionaries. The latter will go out and do missions, even if it is only across the street. This man is passionate about the church and it shows. He called on all members, young and old, frustrated and angry, to stay within the convention instead of looking outside for support. He said "we need you", and he is right.

Overall, I am glad I went. There were topics I wish had been covered that weren't and a few questions that were skirted. In the end though I am far more informed than I was a few days ago. And I have a renewed desire to pray for my church, my denomination and her leaders, and to learn more so I can participate to the fullest.

In Him

Jana