Attending annual sessions of the South Carolina Baptist Convention for nearly 30 years isn’t adequate preparation for planning such an event. Now, within a three-month window, the realities of pulling things together are acute. Rooms have to be reserved, media arranged, speakers invited and confirmed, menus planned, music selected, proceedings verified, and so many other local arrangements it boggles my overloaded mind. So I am very grateful for the faithful service of Dr. Keith Shorter, Order of Business chairman, and the fine team of leaders who have guided the process. Along with the outstanding and committed convention staff, they are in the final phases of planning what I believe is going to be a historic meeting.
HolmesTwo overriding principles have been super-imposed over our planning. One, we are a family, and the annual meeting should be a time for the family to function and serve together. So we’ve tried to plan a meeting that will draw a larger group of messengers to the process. The recommendation of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force during the Tuesday evening session, if we can trust the discussion around the state right now, may just accomplish the larger turnout expectation. Certainly our diversity is on full display now, and I’m praying that God will be honored in the way we discuss and settle the differences we may have over the recommendation.
I also asked the Order of Business Committee and convention staff to make this meeting long on inspiration and short on business. Well, we do have bylaws that dictate some of the proceedings and there’s not much wiggle room in this regard. But I am praying that our meeting will reflect the “Immeasurably More” theme, and that we’ll be able to emphasize the spiritual meaning of this theme and minimize the business aspects. Of course, I know we’re Baptists and will ask appropriate questions and explore priority issues. Still, I’m believing we’ll come together for the sake of the kingdom and Christ will be honored in our handling of the business portions of each session.
We are blessed to have Drs. Danny Akin and Richard Blackaby as our guests. Dr. Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary and author of “Axioms of a Great Commission Resurgence,” will bring a keynote address during the Tuesday afternoon session. He also will be our featured guest at the informal dinner session, “GCR Conversations,” at the convention center Tuesday afternoon from 4:30?6:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event with a cost of $6.75 per ticket. Reservations must be made by Nov. 10 and should be made at the convention website (www.scbaptist.org). Ticket holders will also be eligible to win one of two iPad2 devices that have been provided by two local Charleston businesses.
Dr. Blackaby will bring the final convention address Wednesday morning preceding the election of convention officers for 2012 and the final business session. Richard Blackaby is president of Blackaby Ministries International and speaks to us from a varied ministry background as a prolific author, but more importantly now as a South Carolina Baptist. He is always tremendously inspiring.
All of this is presidential hype to get you pumped enough to do two things. Go ahead and mark the dates, Nov. 15-16 on your calendar, and plan to bring a bus load of Baptists with you.
May it be said of us: “They met with the brothers and encouraged them” (Acts 16:40).