To some it may seem like an exaggeration to say that Alabama Baptists will gather in Mobile Nov. 18–19 for the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Yet, that is what will happen.
Those who might consider the statement a little exaggerated point to the expected attendance, about 1,300. Last year’s attendance barely edged over the 2,000 mark, and that included nearly 500 people who came only for the closing session when a new president was elected.
Without a contested presidential race, the Wednesday morning swell in attendance is not likely to happen. That means attendance may be near the 1,245 who registered, in 1999, the last time the annual meeting was held in Mobile.
Some observers have pointed out that several Alabama Baptist churches have worship attendance that exceeds the number of expected messengers. The question follows how the relatively small number of people can represent all Alabama Baptists.
Another reason some consider the claim of a representative state convention a bit of an exaggeration is the number of churches represented. Last year messengers registered from 645 different churches. That is about one-fifth of the 3,200-plus cooperating Alabama Baptist churches.
Again the question is raised about how such a relatively small percentage of churches can represent all Alabama Baptists.
These are valid points, but there is another side.
Last year, messengers from 73 of the state convention’s 75 associations registered for the annual meeting. That means individuals from churches across Alabama participated. The annual meeting was not and never is a gathering of local Baptists. It is always a statewide event.
It should be remembered that messengers do not represent churches even though churches authorize their participation. Alabama Baptists do not have “delegates” or “representatives.” To do so would give us a “connectional polity” where authority flowed between churches and convention through people elected to act in behalf of congregations.
Decisions made by those individuals would then be binding on local churches. That would give the convention power over a local church. Baptists’ emphasis on local church autonomy — “congregational polity” — will have none of that. No other Baptist body can have authority over a local Baptist church.
The messenger system allows churches to approve participation in the state convention. This keeps just anyone from trying to be a part of the annual meeting. But the “messengers” represent only themselves. Churches cannot instruct them on how to vote on an issue. That would make them delegates. Their votes and voices cannot be controlled by others. That is the Holy Spirit’s role.
Technically, it does not matter from how many churches’ messengers come since it is not churches that make up the convention. Churches choose to cooperate with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. They are not voted in as members.
Practically speaking, however, the more churches that send messengers, the better. The larger the number of churches, the larger the number of messengers. Larger numbers means more people are involved in the affairs of the state convention, and that is always good.
The annual meeting is a business meeting. Every cooperating state convention entity gives an account of its faithfulness for the past year. Programs and emphases that Alabama Baptists do together are approved. The financial affairs of the state convention are addressed through a proposed budget. Leaders for the coming year are selected.
This year all three convention officers are eligible for reelection — president Joe Godfrey of Pleasant Grove, first vice president Henry Cox of Bay Minette and second vice president Roger Willmore of Boaz. It is likely that all three will be reelected without opposition.
In the midst of the business, messengers always worship together. It is the worship of God — the celebration of what we hold in common — that keeps us working together despite disagreements on various motions and resolutions. The value of celebrating our common faith through the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be overestimated.
While only a fraction of the churches will have messengers and the total number registered will be less than 2 percent of the 1 million-plus members the convention claims, Alabama Baptists will gather in Mobile Nov. 18–19 for our annual convention. All cooperating churches are invited to send messengers. Those who do will conduct the business and set the course for the future. That is the Baptist way.
If you can, come be a part of the annual meeting to be hosted by Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile. If you cannot attend, pray for those who do and for the meeting itself. The annual meeting is an important event for all that Alabama Baptists do together in our state, our nation and our world.
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