Presidency taught McLemore much about Alabama’s Baptists

It takes but a few moments of conversation with Mike McLemore to know that he is proud to be an Alabama Baptist.
   
The pastor of Birmingham’s Lakeside Baptist Church is concluding his second one-year term as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. He will pass the gavel to his successor during the final session of the two-day meeting, which will be held in Birmingham Nov. 19–20.
   
McLemore said his service have given him unforgettable experiences, lasting memories and deep admiration for his fellow Alabama Baptists who make up more than 3,200 Baptist churches in the state.
   
“The cooperative spirit of Alabama Baptists has really impressed me. During my two years of traveling across the state I have had constant affirmation that [we] are going in the right direction as Baptists,” he said, mentioning the lack of dissension in Alabama’s convention compared to conflict that is prevalent in other state conventions.
   
McLemore points out that the personnel at the State Board of Missions are a great asset to Alabama Baptists. “I have a new appreciation for the work that goes on at our state office,” he said, adding, “Their commitment is very inspirational. The expertise they offer is so diverse, everything from disaster relief training to missions support.”
   
McLemore said he is impressed with the jobs and responsibilities the financial personnel have in keeping track of the money sent in for the Cooperative Program. “Every penny is accounted for and applied to the designated area. They have to make sure the money is being wisely invested. It’s a huge responsibility.”
   
McLemore explained that through his role as president of the state convention he has been able to witness the Cooperative Program in action.
   
“I was able to see the genius of the Cooperative Program at work.  It is the financial lifeblood of our denomination. It allows us to pool our resources and to have a greater impact on worldwide evangelism and worldwide missions. It’s the glue that holds us together as Baptists,” he stated.
   
McLemore noted that one of the signs of a healthy convention is exceeding the Cooperative Program budget goals. “As Alabama Baptists we have met our base budget goal and have gone into our challenge budget. That’s the mark of a healthy convention,” he said.
   
McLemore said  that another blessing he received during his presidency was the privilege of getting to visit so many churches across the state.
   
He said he also enjoyed having the opportunity to personally see and hear about their many ministries.
   
“It was a grassroots experience for Wanda [his wife] and me to see how united we all are as Alabama Baptists.”
   
Turning his thoughts to the future, the outgoing president said he sees one of the long-term challenges for the Southern Baptist Convention as being the ability to stay focused on evangelism and missions.
   
“It will not serve Southern Baptists well if the national convention goes beyond our focus [of evangelism and missions] and gets involved with state and local issues. We don’t need to go down that road,” McLemore said.
   
“It’s important to recognize the lines of autonomy.  The only thing that keeps us together is the willingness of all Baptist churches to keep us together. We have to remember that we cannot mandate fellowship. We are congregationalist — we don’t have a Pope,” he added.
   
McLemore said he has received many words, letters and e-mails of encouragement from Baptists across the state during his term as convention president.
   
“It’s been a joy getting to travel all across the state and meet the fine men and women who are serving the Lord and doing His work. We have a strong convention and a wonderful spirit of cooperation of Alabama Baptist churches. The credit goes to the convention as a whole, local pastors and directors of missions,” he concluded.