Answered questions about Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – The 151st annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has been gaveled to a close. I understand many of you have questions as to my impressions of what transpired. So I have called this impromptu press conference and am delighted to answer any questions you have.

Yes, down front, Brother Matthew. What is your question?

“Brother Don, did you think Johnny Hunt would win the election for SBC president on the first ballot?”

No.

As I said in a column a few weeks ago, I thought messengers have had their fill of megachurch pastors. I might have been mistaken, however, it is interesting to note in his post-election press conference, Hunt said he does not consider himself a megachurch pastor, just a pastor who has always pastored small churches that have grown. Given the results of the election, many Southern Baptists view him exactly that way. Hunt communicates well with those who pastor small congregations and with younger pastors and they were an obviously important constituency that helped sweep him into the presidency with an impressive 53 percent of the vote in a race that included six candidates. That is stout.

I also felt voters at the annual meeting would consider the amount a pastor’s church gives to the Cooperative Program as a factor. Hunt’s church gives only about two percent to CP, but millions of dollars to other mission causes. Obviously messengers took that into consideration. No one could accuse Hunt’s church, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga., with not being a missions-minded congregation.

I had privately predicted a victory for Frank Cox, pastor, North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Ga., on a second ballot. I theorized that Hunt would garner the most votes on the first ballot, but would fall short of the 50 percent plus one needed for victory. I thought Cox would finish second on the first ballot and supporters of the other candidates would throw their support to Cox on a second ballot because of his church’s higher CP giving (13 percent), giving him the necessary majority. It didn’t happen, so don’t ask me to predict SBC presidential races anymore.

I might add that John Marshall, pastor, Second Baptist Church, Springfield, gave a fine nominating speech on behalf of Avery Willis, who finished third in the balloting.

By the way, Johnny Hunt will make a fine president and everyone I know agrees. Let’s support him, love him and pray for him.

Next question … yes, Brother Mark.

“For what will the Indianapolis convention be most remembered?”

Maybe for what didn‘t happen. No matter how much the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF)-funded Associated Baptist Press huffed and puffed, the bloggers did not take the event by storm. The bloggers’ influence -- once thought to have swept Frank Page into the presidency in Greensboro, N.C., two years ago -- turned out to be greatly exaggerated. Page’s election was due to a large turnout by South Carolina and North Carolina Baptists who voted for “one of their own.” Almost everybody blogs now and if there was ever an edge, it has been neutralized.

Some people thought there might be a ruckus over whether the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 is a minimum or maximum statement. It didn’t happen – at least not this time.

Others predicted a “dust-up” over the International Mission Board’s policy on private prayer language for missionaries. Not a peep was heard about it.

Some expected a commotion over Acts 29 and the Emerging Church invading the SBC. Not one word was said about it in business sessions. Instead there were whispers suggesting Acts 29’s SBC connections are waning.

In the end, this may have been the most harmonious annual meeting in several years. Some observers have called it boring. I think it was glorious.

Next question … yes, Brother Luke.

“What is the most important thing that happened?”

There were actually several good things. The new evangelistic initiative is bold and deserves our support (that’s why I put the story about it on the front page of this issue). I was thrilled to see messengers overwhelmingly approve a resolution calling for Congress to stop funding Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of abortions. Another resolution expressing Southern Baptists’ opposition to a California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex “marriage” was thoughtful, timely and most appropriate. It passed overwhelmingly.

However, I think the “top story” of the Indianapolis convention was messengers overwhelmingly approving a resolution urging churches to maintain a regenerate membership and accurate membership roles. Here’s why I think this was notable: Southern Baptists are in need of spiritual revival, but it will not happen until we repent from un-confessed sin. The inflated membership rolls publicly reported in the Annual Church Profile by too many churches are issues of integrity before God. We also need to exercise biblical church discipline. While much repentance is needed, such a public declaration and confession as the one approved by messengers in Indianapolis is a great start. It should give us hope that God will send revival as we get right with Him. Once we repent of our un-confessed sin and start living lives of holiness to the glory of God, then will He hear in Heaven and send revival among His children. That will spark evangelism, missions and church planting that perhaps God will see fit to bless beyond our wildest dreams.

Next question … yes, Brother John.

“What was the biggest surprise?”

There were two. First, was the number of bow ties. Southern Baptists have finally seen the light. They figured out that a la
vender-striped bow tie won’t drag through those mashed potatoes and brown gravy.

The second biggest surprise was being forced to travel to Indianapolis via Cincinnati. That’s right, Cincinnati. I had to stop in Louisville, Ky., to see my in-laws, only to discover that flood waters had closed I-65 north between Louisville and Indianapolis. So all traffic was diverted up I-71 to Cincinnati where I-74 west was clear straight into Indy.

Next question … yes, Brother Paul.

“With whom was your most interesting conversation?”

That is a tough one. I suppose the conversation I had with former SBC President Bobby Welch. If you’re bored, find Bobby. He always has plenty of things on his mind, is always insightful and makes you feel like you matter. We discussed his far-flung travels in his new capacity as the SBC Executive Committee’s global evangelical relations strategist. He and I share a desire to find how best the SBC might fellowship/partner with conservative Baptists around the world.

Next question … yes, Brother Barney.

“What did you like best about this convention?”

The fellowship. There were many happy encounters, but perhaps none more than when I greeted a healthy Al Mohler.

One final question … yes, Brother Timothy.

 “Will you go to the convention in Louisville, Ky., next year?”
If God gives me the opportunity, yes sir.