Times may be tough for Alabama Baptists, economically speaking, but state Baptist leaders intend to make sure that is not the case with the upcoming state convention annual meeting, spiritually speaking.
Scheduled for Nov. 16–17 at Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) annual meeting will be one of encouragement and inspiration, state leaders contend.
“It is a tough world out there right now,” said ABSC President Jimmy Jackson, senior pastor of Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville. “We have to look beyond here … for a glimpse of sunshine. We are focusing on our hope in the Lord.”
Jackson said he is working on an upbeat sermon for his president’s address and is excited Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), will deliver the Tuesday evening message.
“I don’t think anyone has a convention heart heavier than Rick Lance,” Jackson said. “He always has something fresh.”
SBOM Chairman Travis Coleman, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Prattville, agreed.
“He’s quite the motivational speaker,” said Coleman, who will deliver the convention sermon. “His heart beats for the Great Commission and doing it the Baptist way. I think our messengers should want to hear from the one who guides us, who has been given that assignment and has done so well.”
Lance being the headliner also serves the convention well during these harsh economic times, Coleman and Jackson pointed out.
“Financially it makes sense,” Coleman said. “It makes good stewardship sense using our own resources right now.”
Lance noted that the proposed 2011 Cooperative Program (CP) budget of $43 million to be voted on by messengers will reflect a 7 percent reduction from 2010.
But even with the “down economy … Alabama Baptists have still been extraordinarily faithful in giving through the CP,” Lance said. “This is the second consecutive year in which Alabama Baptists have been first among all state conventions in total dollars given and, especially remarkable, first in per-member giving among all state conventions as well.”
“Alabama Baptists are doing a great job in ministries,” Coleman added. “We need to encourage our folks not to grow weary in their well doing. … We ought to be proud that we are being salt and light, that we are doing our part to reach our towns, cities, state and world.”
Buddy Gray, pastor of Hunter Street Baptist, said he anticipates a time of worship, sharing and vision casting during the annual meeting.
“It’s a time for all of us to get together and enjoy fellowship and enjoy God,” he said. “It is a time to encourage one another in our efforts, challenge each other and move further in what God would have us to do.”
Among other convention business items that will take place will be the election of officers and proposal of resolutions.
At press time, The Alabama Baptist had confirmed the following who would be nominated for officer positions: president, Mike Shaw, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pelham; first vice president, John Killian, pastor of Maytown Baptist Church; second vice president, Coleman and Barry Holcomb, pastor of First Baptist Church, Russellville.
Also at press time, eight resolutions had been received by Joe Bob Mizzell, director of the office of Christian Ethics and Chaplaincy Ministries, and Henry Cox, pastor of Durant Chapel Church, Bay Minette, and chairman of the Resolutions Committee.
Topics include unity through the CP, homosexuals in the U.S. military, the tragedy in the Gulf due to the oil spill, gambling in Alabama, the federal employment nondiscrimination act, tobacco use and appreciation for various personalities, churches, etc.
Anyone else planning to submit a resolution is encouraged to do so before the resolutions committee meets Nov. 8.
Proposed resolutions may be e-mailed to Joanne Farmer at jfarmer@alsbom.org, faxed to 334-288-2693, or mailed to Christian Ethics Office, State Board of Missions, P.O. Box 11870, Montgomery, AL 36111-0870.
For more information, visit www.alsbom.org.
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