SBC Meeting To Focus On “Fulfilling The Mission”

By 316Networks.com

Published: June 06, 2008

On June 10-11, the 151st session of the Southern Baptist Convention will convene with a brand new focus and agenda, one that will emphasize the importance of outreach and spiritual renewal. 316 Networks will be webcasting the Annual Meeting from gavel to gavel again this year. You may watch it by clicking here.

"Fulfilling The Mission" is the theme of this year's convention, one that SBC president Frank Page, who is now completing his second term as president, is incredibly passionate about.

"The recent report of a decline in baptisms and membership in the Southern Baptist Convention re-emphasizes that for too long we have been attempting to raise baptisms among non-revived people in non-revived churches," Page said. "The lack of connection with lost people and the lack of urgency for soul-winning and personal evangelism is a direct indication of our lack of spiritual passion and love for the lost."

Page selected Acts 2:47 as the core scripture and motivation for this year's gathering. It reads, "And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved" (HCSB).

"The motivation and power for evangelism arises out of a spiritual awakening," says Page. "When we have been stirred by God's spirit, we (will) reach out to the lost and God draws people to Himself."

Southern Baptist leaders will introduce during the convention a long-term strategy to help churches reach and evangelize their neighborhoods, states, country and world. The 10-year National Evangelism Initiative was a high priority for Page, since being elected in Greensboro, N.C., in 2006.

"The moment I was elected, I knew I wanted to encourage a continent-wide evangelism strategy," Page said. "A large number of people have been saying to us, 'Don't just tell us what to do, but show us how to do it.' So I approached the North American Mission Board and they have worked with our state and associational partners to come forward with a strategy that will help us know both what to do and how to do it."

The National Evangelism Initiative will offer a number of outreach strategies in four specific areas: praying, engaging, sowing and harvesting. Pastors and churches will be able to pick and choose strategies that they believe will work in their respective communities.

"There will be many elements produced so churches of all sizes and all ethnic backgrounds in all areas of the continent can take part," Page said. "They will be able to pick and choose from various strategies, tools and emphases. It will be very flexible.

Page seems determined to insure that this year's convention is completely mission-focused.

"Of all the things that could come out of the meeting in Indianapolis," Page adds, "the greatest for our continent would be that we come away with a common direction in presenting a very positive, life-transforming message about Christ."

Some other highlights of the convention are:

* Block parties in 27 ethnically mixed neighborhoods in order to launch eight new churches. The new church launch is apart of Crossover '08, the citywide evangelistic campaign.

* Special speakers Leo A. Endel, executive director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention in Rochester, Minnesota, and Rob Blackaby, president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta

* The North American Mission Board will provide a special report and presentation on Tuesday evening (June 10) while the International Mission Board will provide a report and presentation will be Wednesday evening (June 11).

*Congregational praise and worship will be led by L. Lavon Gray, minister of music and worship at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, while Steve Blanchard, director of worship ministries for the State Convention of Baptists In Indiana, will lead the Indiana Baptist combined choirs in several performances.

* Al Gilbert, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., will deliver the convention message Wednesday morning (June 11). Additional sermons from Pastor Gilbert are available here.

* The SBC Pastors' Conference which begins on Sunday afternoon (June 8) will preview "Fireproof" (fireproofthemovie.com), a new movie on unconditional love and covenant marriage produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga.

* The annual Ministers' Wives Luncheon will be held at noon Tuesday (June 10) with special speaker, Gary Chapman.

* SBC president Frank Page will serve as the keynote speaker for a special banquet at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. Additional sermons from Dr. Frank Page are available here.

* Students grade 7 and above will be able to participate in Bible study, worship and fellowship during the convention's annual Centrifuge program

To register or gain more information, log onto www.sbcannualmeeting.net

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