If one is looking for an indication about the tone of the upcoming Alabama Baptist State Convention, one need look no further than the proposed order of business. Other than a 15-minute session for submitting proposed resolutions and business items, the program has a total of 20 minutes for miscellaneous business and 20 minutes for consideration of the Resolutions Committee report.
In other words, the annual meeting promises to be short on fireworks and long on unity. Hallelujah!
While Baptists in some other states seem to be at war with one another during their 2001 annual meetings, Baptists in Alabama gather to focus on a record Cooperative Program budget, reports from convention entities and committees and a Tuesday evening worship celebration.
Of course, there is no certainty about what will happen when Baptists gather for an annual meeting. Because Alabama Baptists practice an open convention where messengers can introduce business items and proposed resolutions from the floor, anything can happen. At this point, there are few indicators of major confrontation this year.
Convention president Mike McLemore, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Hoover, will likely be re-elected for a second one-year term. McLemore said he is not campaigning for the presidency but has agreed to be nominated.
Information available to The Alabama Baptist indicates two people have agreed to be nominated for first vice president. They are incumbent Joe Godfrey, pastor of Taylor Road Baptist Church in Montgomery, and Buddy Nelson, pastor of Riverchase Baptist Church in Hoover.
The first vice president office could be the only contested position in the election. No one is likely to challenge McLemore and no one has indicated running against second vice president Henry Cox, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bay Minette, who also has agreed to be renominated.
Other than the elections, the biggest business item appears to be adoption of a record $39 million budget and extending Alabama’s partnership missions agreements with Venezuela and Impact Northeast.
With few firecracker-type business items to distract participants, messengers will be able to focus on the purpose of the annual meeting — receiving reports and handling business related to the entities and committees of the state convention. Alabama Baptists’ cooperative missions efforts are expressed through the entities and committees.
Each one will present reports about accomplishments and challenges. Each will give an account of its stewardship. Messengers will leave the annual meeting informed about every aspect of Alabama Baptist life and the work we do together.
Tuesday evening will focus on worship around the annual meeting theme of “Through Every Door — Making Disciples.” Former Southern Baptist Convention president Jim Henry will be the feature speaker. Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, Fla., is popular among Alabama Baptists. He will be back in the state in January preaching at the State Evangelism Conference.
California vocalist Steve Amerson will present a musical concert. Amerson, a Dove Award nominee, is described as a “fabulous tenor” and prolific songwriter who composes most of his own songs.
Other worship highlights will include the convention sermon by John Porter, recently retired pastor of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, and three Bible Moment sessions led by James Warren, Max Croft and Tom Anderson. Warren is director of missions for Colbert-Lauderdale Association. Croft heads the discipleship and family ministries of the State Board of Missions. Anderson serves as pastor of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Dothan.
When the final gavel sounds for the 2001 annual meeting, it is likely messengers leaving Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville won’t be talking about some emotional debate or disagreement. Messengers probably will be talking about what great things God is doing through Alabama Baptists and how we continue working together in the Lord’s service. That is what is supposed to happen at a convention.
If possible, attend at least one session of the annual meeting. Either way, be sure to pray for God’s blessing on Alabama Baptists as we gather for our annual meeting.
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