So if you’ve read any of my Facebook posts these past few days you know I’m like really enthusiastic about the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). In fact, it might even be possible that I have SBC platelets in my blood…meaning that I bleed Southern Baptist…just sayin’. You’re probably like “Good grief. She is C-R-A-Z-Y!” And you are probably right…ha ha!
My entire life and before I was born, I have grown up and been raised in a Southern Baptist church. It’s all I’ve known, it’s what I know, and it’s a part of who I am. Now I know being a Southern Baptist does NOT mean I’m a better Christian than a Methodist or a Presbyterian, in fact being a Southern Baptist does NOT mean I’m automatically a Christian. I’m a Christian because I accepted God’s free gift of salvation, believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died for my wrong-doings, and confess Him as the Lord and Savior of my life and desire to live solely and completely for Him. I’m a Southern Baptist because I align with the core beliefs and mission of the Southern Baptist Convention and desire to be a part of the various entities and activities that the SBC promote.
Did you know that the SBC is the world’s largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States? Every year, the SBC holds an annual meeting to allow its members the opportunity to voice their opinion, bring forth pertinent resolutions and motions, report on the progress of its various entities (such as mission sending agencies and various resource agencies), and offer a time of encouragement for pastors, ministers, and lay leaders.
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| Over 8,000 people attended! |
Four years ago, at the SBC annual meeting in Louisville, I had the opportunity to join a group known as the Pages. When it’s time to conduct business at the annual meeting, it’s very much like a typical church business meeting…except like 500 times bigger! Due to the enormous amount of people that come to the annual meeting, the pages assist the convention by helping the messengers that desire to speak during the business sessions. Microphone pages help messengers fill out an information sheet detailing their name, address, phone number, and a brief summary of what they are saying so that the Recording Secretary can properly denote these individuals in the session report. When these information sheets have been filled out, a runner runs (ok…quickly walks) the information sheet up to the platform. The platform page then gives the information sheet to the page coordinator for proper checking and then to the Recording Secretary for his clarification. After the particular business session is over, the information sheets are given to the platform page to make copies and then are delivered to various committees, convention offices, and the Press Office. This whole process happens very quickly, meaning that everything is extremely fast-paced. Pages must keep track of people’s faces, names, and also what is happening on the platform – all at the same time. It’s not hard, it’s just involved – which is what makes it extremely fun!
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| Pages & Sisters :) |
My duty as a page is as the copy/platform page. This means that I obtain, make copies, and deliver every informational sheet (which includes motions, amendments, questions, and points of order) to the appropriate offices. Whereas the other pages work with the messengers, I work directly with the Recording Secretary of the Convention. As with the other page duties, this job requires A LOT of walking and standing, which means your feet may be yelling horrid remarks at you when all is said and done. As of this writing, the horrid remarks have subsided and my feet are returning back to normal. :) I must admit, seeing everything with a birds-eye view from the platform is something that is still so crazy, I can’t really put it into words. Standing up there, I honestly feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to be where I am.
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| My "birds-eye" view |
This year’s convention was historic and that’s not an exaggeration. First of all, we elected our first-ever African American president, Dr. Fred Luter. Why is this historic? The SBC was formed way back in the 1800s due to the issue of slavery, Southerners believed in it and Northerners did not. So, to have an African-American as our president is something that is pretty big. Dr. Luter is such a nice and genuine man. When you speak to him, he really takes the time to listen. I got the opportunity to congratulate him on his election and he was so nice to take a photo with me. Can’t wait to see what God does through this man over the next couple of years.
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| Myself & SBC President, Dr. Fred Luter |
This convention was also historic in that we agreed as a convention to have an alternate name. You see, in the Northern or Western USA, the term “Southern Baptist” doesn’t sit well with the local people because they can’t identify with being Southern. I even encountered this when I lived overseas with my family. Technically, our church was Southern Baptist, but because the term didn’t really apply with a Hong Kong based church, we didn’t advertise that we were SBC-affiliated because it wouldn’t have really made sense. Over the past year, SBC leaders debated and discussed the possibility of changing the name. They came up with the new term “Great Commission Baptists.” Originally, they wanted to change the name permanently, but after realizing that it would be extremely difficult to legally change the name, they decided that it would simply be an additional term to help people identify with being a part of the Southern Baptist family. This name change is strictly voluntary; no one is required to use it. It is just another term that can help people have an idea of what a particular church is and what it stands for. Southern Baptist church planters from these hard-to-reach areas pleaded with the convention to adopt the name change. On the other side of that, other preachers asked the convention to keep the one term, explaining that it would just be too confusing. In past SBC history, attempts have been made to change the name and in all cases those attempts failed. This time, however, the name change was approved. We are still Southern Baptist, but we are also now Great Commission Baptists. Originally, I was skeptical about changing the name…remember, I have platelets in my blood named SBC…but over time, in realizing that it was strictly voluntary and in thinking about my experience in a SBC-affiliated church overseas, I came to the realization that it would most definitely help Southern Baptist church planters nation-wide and around the world.
This year’s convention in New Orleans was a bit busy, there were about 20 motions which means that 21 copies of each motion must be made, delivered, and distributed. Sometimes it can be kind of crazy how many papers and piles there are, but with the help of post-it-notes and paper clips AND, praise the Lord, a copier with a built-in stapler, it wasn’t too bad. :) The biggest difference this year was that there were SO many questions, points of order, and amendments for the resolution committee/seminaries/SBC entities – which require a different sort of information sheet. There had to have been over 30+ over the course of the two days. But…that’s what makes it fun and exciting!
I made some great network connections this week as well. My dream is to work for the SBC, and I am beginning to see God open doors for me in that direction. God has so much in store for me & I can’t wait to see what doors He opens for me next.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a future and hope.” What a great promise not only for me, but the SBC, as well. “Greater things are yet to come & greater things are still to be done!”
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