Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Baptists from across Alabama will gather in Montgomery Nov. 14–15 for the 178th annual session of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. A program of information and inspiration has been carefully planned and prepared. But what will happen during the annual meeting, only God knows.

Pundits often quip that there is no predicting what Baptists will do whenever a large number gathers in one place. Our history proves that observation correct. Sometimes it appears we look for at least one thing to “fight” about. At other times, it appears we go out of the way to avoid disagreements and wrangles.

This unpredictable nature of Baptists causes anxiety to increase whenever the state convention annual meeting nears. It is the one time of the year when Baptists gather to conduct their business and when any messenger from any cooperating church can propose any type of resolution or introduce any business item.

It is no wonder that one of the most often asked questions at this time of the year is “What’s going to happen at the annual meeting?”

This year events at other state conventions have heightened that anxiety. National news media reported that Texas Baptists overwhelmingly voted to dramatically reduce funding for certain SBC entities.

The Texas decision was another step in a pattern begun about 20 years ago when some leading pastors within the SBC objected to funding seminary education because of what they perceived as problems within the faculty. The Cooperative Program was called a “Golden Calf” to which Southern Baptists bowed down. That attack on the cooperative giving plan of the denomination helped propel a series of events that now have resulted in alternate giving plans in several Baptist state conventions.

In the same week, Missouri Baptists held a bitter state convention. A record number of messengers, produced by two competing “get out the vote” campaigns, argued over resolutions, approved an alternate slate of nominees for at least one state entity, twice attempted to reallocate the proposed convention budget and had a party line vote for all convention officers.

Stories about these two conventions caused some Alabama Baptists to wonder out loud if such division could characterize us when we gather in Montgomery. While guarantees are impossible, the likelihood is almost nonexistent. In Alabama, leaders are committed to helping all of us work together to keep the main thing the main thing.

While Texas Baptists reduce their SBC funding, Alabama Baptists will increase the number of dollars going to SBC causes if the proposed budget is approved and met. The 42.3 percent of all Cooperative Program dollars contributed by the churches going to SBC causes will mean an increase of $547,785 for these causes. Most other state conventions also will provide new dollars as their Cooperative Program budget goals grow.

The Texas decision to reduce SBC funding will impact the targeted entities to be sure. But it will not cripple them. It must be remembered that the 1999–2000 SBC fiscal year closed with $18.7 million above the Cooperative Program budget. Receipts also were $10.3 million above the previous year for a growth rate of 6.3 percent.

While not trying to be lighthearted, it may be that the biggest financial problem SBC entity leaders will have next year is what to do with $12 million above budget rather than $18 million above budget.

The SBC is too large for any state convention or any one group to do long-term damage to the Cooperative Program. A state convention decision may place temporary strain on the budget, but it will not do long-term harm.

As for a divisive spirit, there is no indication of that at all among Alabama Baptists. At this point, only one person has publicly agreed to be nominated for state convention president. This writer knows of no “get out the vote” campaign about any issue. Convention leaders are prudently preparing to lead Alabama Baptists through the annual meeting with a concentration on the goals and purposes of the state convention. In other words, keeping the main thing the main thing.

Certainly there are enough issues about which messengers to the annual meeting could wrangle. And there are issues on which Alabama Baptists must stand without apology or hesitation. But every mature Christian knows it is unwise to argue at every opportunity. Some “fights” are just not worth the cost.

One who fights every battle seems intent on making winners and losers. The one who seeks to work with others seems committed to emphasizing brothers and sisters in the faith.

Missions, evangelism, discipleship, education, benevolence — these are the reasons Baptists came together in state and national conventions. They remain the “main things” of our corporate life.

Please join me in praying that when Alabama Baptists gather in Montgomery next week, we will all be committed to keeping the main things of our convention life the main things of our annual meeting.