Biblical Reconciliation Seminars begin to get at root of trouble
By Staff
JEFFERSON CITY—One of the practical ways that Missouri Baptists will be addressing the seriousness of sin in 2010 will be through a series of four Biblical Reconciliation Seminars conducted by Johnny Johnson of Peacemaker Ministries.
The Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board has allocated up to $100,000 to pursue a genuine peace between two conservative groups in the state. The strategy also includes nine Prayer Summits this year and one Biblical Worldview conference. So far around $4,000 has been spent in the effort, according to MBC Associate Executive Director Jay Hughes.
Johnson, a consultant with Peacemaker who specializes in Southern Baptist work, was brought in toward the end of the Peace Committee’s work which lasted from April 2008 through July 2009. The Peace Committee came into being after disagreements arose between the conservative groups Save Our Convention (SOC) and the Missouri Baptist Laymen’s Association (MBLA).
In July, MBC Executive Director David Tolliver said he hopes to put Johnson in front of as many Missouri Baptists as possible to help with the peace process. One of the more important meetings to that effect in early 2010 will take place in Branson Feb. 16-18. That is when the state’s directors of missions will gather at the Radisson for their winter conference. Times and dates for the other three Johnson meetings have yet to be determined.
Tolliver said this could be the start of a good year of reconciliation.
“My hope is that Missouri Baptists will realize the importance of these Biblical Reconciliation Seminars, and even those Missouri Baptists who may think that they have no need for reconciliation will come to the seminars,” he said. “I can promise you that the truths taught there will edify and encourage and build up every one of us. That’s what we need.”
The tab for the entire initiative will come in below the $100,000 ceiling, Tolliver said.
“We will do this as frugally as we possibly can,” he said.
