Match words with deeds, this year’s SBC annual meeting theme urges

Actions do speak louder than words — and Johnny Hunt believes it’s time a lost world sees Southern Baptists match their words with love in action.

That’s the conviction behind the theme of the 152nd session of the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Ky., June 23–24 — “LoveLoud: Actions Speak Louder Than Words.”

“Across America, people are thinking less and less of Christian groups,” said Hunt, pastor of the Atlanta-area First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., and president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). “I think it’s because we always talk about what we believe and don’t spend near as much time demonstrating it. If it’s really all about the glory of God, we ought to be doing things that cause people to see our good works and glorify our God in heaven.”

With that in mind, Hunt said, the watchword for the annual meeting is Matthew 5:16 — “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father in heaven” (HCSB).

The “conservative resurgence” in Southern Baptist life made it clear that Southern Baptists are “a people of the Book,” Hunt said. “But ever since, it seems like we have done less with what we believe than we were doing before. The numbers all substantiate that.

“We can stand, week to week in our annual meeting, and talk about what we believe or we can begin to love loud and let people see a demonstration of our declaration,” Hunt added. “We have declared that we are a people of the Book, but it’s time to demonstrate what that means. The world is still waiting and watching.”

The annual meeting program has been designed as a call to action for a “Great Commission resurgence,” Hunt noted.

“My presidential message will be a State of the Convention address,” Hunt said. “I will focus on what, from where I sit, we must change if we are to see a Great Commission resurgence among Southern Baptists.”

Hunt’s address will be reinforced by a message from Daniel L. Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., who recently laid out what he sees as “12 axioms” for a Great Commission resurgence. Akin’s call to action will be followed by messages on three critical issues:

• Vance Pitman, senior pastor of Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas, will speak on the vision of the Kingdom of God.
• David Platt, senior pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, will talk about connecting with the culture.
• Jeff W. Crook, pastor of Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch, Ga., will address the issue of evangelism.

Pitman, Platt and Crook not only speak as pastors whose ministries God is blessing, they also represent a younger generation whose voice needs to be heard, Hunt said.

As he has traveled to speaking engagements across the country, Hunt said he has seen that the need for dramatic change in the SBC is widely recognized.

“We’ve got to turn this thing around. The bow of our ship — the old gospel, Southern Baptist Convention ship — is floating low in the water,” Hunt said. “There evidently are some things we need to remove so we can get higher and there are some things we need to add so we can move toward our destination.”

Among the highlights of the annual meeting:

• The North American Mission Board (NAMB) will cast special attention on God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS), the denominationwide evangelism emphasis that launches nationally in 2010. Pastors and church representatives can visit NAMB’s exhibit to pick up an “Across North America” church implementation guide. The guide will help local churches blanket their communities with the gospel leading up to Easter 2010.
• In addition to the speakers mentioned above, John Marshall, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., will deliver the convention sermon June 24.
• The International Mission Board report and presentation is scheduled for June 23. The NAMB report and presentation is set for June 24.
• Congregational praise and worship will be led by Scott Allred, minister of music at Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover; Scott C. White, senior minister of music and worship at First Baptist, Woodstock, Ga.; Dan Odle, associate pastor for music and worship at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville; and songwriter, worship leader and producer Paul Baloche of Lindale, Texas.
• Online registration is available at www.sbcannualmeeting.net so messengers can avoid lines upon arriving at the convention. The Web site gives a church a messenger reference number form to be printed out and presented by each messenger at the registration booth in exchange for a nametag and a set of ballots. The appropriate church-authorized representative must complete all online registrations. The traditional registration method continues to be available. Registration cards are available from state convention offices.
• Messengers wishing to propose resolutions must submit them so they are received at last 15 days prior to the annual meeting, giving the Resolutions Committee a two-week period in which to consider them. Detailed guidelines on submitting resolutions are available at www.sbcannualmeeting.net (by clicking on “Resolutions”). Resolutions may be submitted online but must be followed up by a letter of credentials from the submitter’s church.
• Child care (birth–3 years) and a children’s conference (ages 4–12) have been planned for the meeting. The children’s program theme — “Pirates of the Cranium!” — will use stage presentations, Scripture memory, crafts, games and original music to emphasize “the importance of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.” Registration information for both programs is available at www.sbcannualmeeting.net.
• Students in grade seven and above will be able to participate in Bible study, worship and fellowship during the annual Centrifuge program. A link to registration through LifeWay Christian Resources is available at www.sbcannualmeeting.net. (BP)