Your Voice

‘Gospel Above All’ must be top priority of SBC churches

By J.D. Greear
President, Southern Baptist Convention

In one sense, [canceling the Southern Baptist Convention’s 2020 annual meeting] was a difficult decision for us.

Gathering regularly to hear about the great things God is doing in the present and to seek His face together for the future is an essential part of who we are as a convention, and we will be saddened to forego this opportunity in June.

But in another sense, this decision was easy. Our purpose in coming together is to support one another in gospel missions and to better catalyze our collective missions efforts. This year, the best way to accomplish that is by not meeting together.

I don’t need to tell you how many of our churches are hurting right now. Or how most of our communities are experiencing unprecedented need. In this extraordinary hour, pastors need to be focused on their people, and churches need to be focused on their communities.

Pausing from these efforts to make a costly trip to Orlando just doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. In this moment, keeping the gospel above all means staying where we are to minister to those who need us.

Reallocating resources

Let me encourage you to consider reallocating resources that might normally have been spent on getting to the convention to minister to people in crisis. At The Summit Church we have decided to take the money we were going to spend on sending messengers to Orlando and use it to help bivocational pastors and church planters meet payroll over these next several weeks. I am calling on other churches to join us in this if they are able.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians that fulfilling the law of Christ means bearing the burdens of our brothers and sisters, shouldering their loads alongside them.

Let me also encourage you to consider ways your church might bless your community in this difficult season.

You might consider making a donation to your local pregnancy resource center, for example, since they tell us that during times like these, abortion rates go up. You might donate to the many food banks helping feed children who are in need because of school closures. You might reach out to local organizations that focus on the marginalized and the vulnerable and simply ask, “What can we do to help?”

The church is God’s demonstration community, a body that visibly depicts the love of God for the world. As our community hurts, let’s bear their burdens with them.

The work of the SBC can go on without the meeting. Why? Because the headquarters of the SBC is not in Nashville or Orlando, nor is our primary impulse for ministry what happens on the convention floor.

The headquarters of the SBC is the local church. Our strength is in our pulpits and pews. Our ministries will still go on. While we may be quarantined, the Great Commission is not.

Our gospel is more relevant and necessary than ever. The gospel literally means “good news,” and good news is best when life is the darkest.

‘Other Idols’

As other idols of this world prove hopelessly insufficient, our gospel offers a hope higher than the heavens, a hope deeper than any recession, a hope that outlasts death itself. That’s why it must remain above all.

What’s more, our gospel teaches us exactly what to do in times like these. We serve a Savior who ran toward tragedy, not away from it. When we were dead in our sins, He left heaven to enter our suffering, take it upon Himself and deliver us from it. That means we who know Him and love Him will, in a moment like this one, move forward in faith, not backwards in fear, toward self-sacrifice, not self-preservation.

Historically, we know the church is at its best in times like these. It’s when the power of the gospel really begins to shine through. This is an extraordinary gospel moment.

How we conduct ourselves in this moment will demonstrate to the world what we actually believe about the gospel. Our theology is about to be on display. So let’s make sure to be faithful witnesses.

We may be living through a very new day. But God promises that He gives new mercies for new challenges. He never runs short on supply; the shelves of His heavenly riches are never empty, and His angels never get sick.

Let’s call on Him for grace to meet this challenge.

The Church in Action

What a blessing to deliver cases of hazmat suits and masks to Athens-Limestone Hospital from Limestone Baptist Association Disaster Relief. Praying they don’t need them but glad to make them available. Pray for our hospital staff as they serve our community during this season.

Kevin Ward, Associational mission strategist
Limestone Association

Need free Wi-Fi to do your homework? All you have to do is have someone drive to Central Baptist Church and park in our main parking lot (closer to the sanctuary windows has a stronger signal). No social distancing needed — just log on from the privacy of your car. The network name is CentralBaptistFree in 2.4G or 5G depending on your device. There is no password required.

During these hard times we all need a helping hand. This is just a small way we are serving our community. We love our community!

Central Baptist Church
Phenix City

Many of our churches, especially the ones with larger buildings, make a habit of leaving the outside lights on, shining on the facility. I suggest that each and every one of us turn on the porch lights at our churches.

In times as dark as these, we absolutely must be reminded that the church is to be the light in our communities!

I’m headed out to my church building in just a few minutes to make sure our lights are on.

Pastor Brad Campbell
Siloam Baptist, York
Associational missionary, Bigbee Association
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Letters to the Editor

I was saddened to read in the March 19 issue of The Alabama Baptist of the death of Sigurd Bryan, one of my professors at Samford University many years ago.

In addition to being a great biblical teacher, he personified the Christian faith that he taught.

Robert Wilkerson
Birmingham, Ala.

It was a sad/glad experience to read of the death of Sigurd Bryan. Having studied under him many years ago, I’m sure there is a mixture of sadness/gladness among all of us who were fortunate enough to have experienced his teaching and humble, loving spirit.

In fact, although his first name was “Sigurd,” due to his humble and loving spirit, he was more affectionately known by us as “Sacred” Bryan.

Heaven has surely been sweetened by his presence.

Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
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“And it came to pass… It didn’t come to stay. So hang in there.”

Pastor Lee Walton
Union Baptist Church, Thomson, Ga.

Biblical revelation clearly and consistently affirms that human life is formed by God in His image and is therefore worthy of honor and dignity (Gen. 1:27; 9:6);

God alone is the Author of life and He alone numbers our days, from the moment of conception until natural death (Job 14:5–7; Ps. 39:4);

The Bible commands us to honor our parents and the aged (Ex. 20:12; Lev. 19:32; Eph. 6:2);

Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Columbus, Ohio, June 16–17, 2015, affirm the dignity and sanctity of human life at all stages of development, from conception to natural death; We call on our churches and all believers to care for the elderly among us, to show them honor and dignity, and to prayerfully support and counsel those who are providing end-of-life care for the aged, the terminally ill and the chronically infirmed.

Excerpts from SBC Resolution of the Sanctity of Human Life

The internet allows us to check facts before spreading them. When we fail to do so, we hurt our own credibility and mislead others.

Steve Stewart
Decatur, Ala.

As a leader, during this crisis, it’s important to follow Mordecai’s advice to Esther: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” In other words, look at your current position as God’s sovereign placement for you to courageously lead those God has placed in your care.

Ed Stetzer
Author and pastor

As committed Christ followers, we can use our influence to make a positive impact on the Kingdom during this crisis. … Take every opportunity to share the gospel so people may come to saving faith in Christ. If you are stuck at home, think of just one person a day to reach out to and give a joyful witness to the transforming power of God at work in your life.

Sandy Wisdom-Martin
Executive director, National Woman’s Missionary Union
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From the Twitterverse

@myarnell

Many seminary students are now going to return virtually to theological studies. Many of these are pastors who have been stretched to the limit by ministering to family and church. Let’s pray for them as they seek a new rhythm.

@megannlively

At a gas station today, an older gentleman got in line behind me. I smiled, said hey. His entire face erupted into the biggest grin, not ashamed of the teeth he was missing. He told me my smile was the nicest gift he’d received in a long time. I told him he was also a gift to me.

@HayleyCatt

I keep thinking what a shame it would be if we spent all this time at home #FlatteningtheCurve and came out on the other side of this unchanged. God has allowed the entire planet to come to a standstill. Let’s not miss what He wants to teach us or waste the time He’s given us.

@DustyMcLemore

My dad used to tell me how Americans came together during WWII to make materials to fight the war. We have an invisible enemy now. Let’s come together USA! #turntoGod … He’s got this!

@bobbyjones

Our faith is always a response to God’s faithfulness. He always makes the first move. #WaitForIt

@chelsealbc

Our shepherd is promised and will rescue and care for His people. #WhoIsThisJesus

@LifeWayWomen

“Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34). #KnowHisWord20

@Christopherson3

Christians, if you don’t know the names and contact info of your neighbors, how will you serve them in the upcoming most difficult weeks? #ThisIsOurMoment

@philwaldrep

Heavenly Father, I know that no earthly power, problem or struggle is too big for You. I trust You and rest in You today. The battle is Yours, not mine. Thank You.

@QuotesGospel

“Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” — C.S. Lewis