Earlier this month, Andrea and I, along with David and Carol Libbon, had the opportunity to attend our first Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting, and I wanted to share a few reflections. Going into it, we weren’t sure what to expect—maybe business meetings, good preaching, and an exhibit hall. But what we came away with was more meaningful than we anticipated. It was a look at the bigger picture of what our church is part of, and it reminded us why it is important that Redeemer is part of the Cooperative Program of the SBC.
The SBC Annual Meeting is the largest Protestant convention in the United States, and this year’s gathering in Dallas drew over 15,000 attendees, including more than 10,000 messengers (voting representatives). One of the things that reassured me right away was that the SBC remains committed to the Baptist Faith and Message. I was encouraged to hear a clear affirmation of the authority and sufficiency of Scripture and the exclusivity of the gospel–convictions that Redeemer holds. The SBC remains steadfast in its belief in the inerrancy of Scripture and the urgency of the Great Commission.
One of the most encouraging things I saw at the annual meeting was how churches are working together through the shared mission of the Cooperative Program. Being a part of the SBC means we don’t carry out the Great Commission alone. We stand with other churches that are committed to spreading the gospel. It was also exciting to hear that new SBC church plants are up 13% over last year.
One significant highlight from this year’s meeting was a new record in giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter offering for North American missions. The International Mission Board also commissioned fifty-eight new missionaries. Some are headed to hard-to-reach places, with names and locations withheld for safety. The Great Commission is still going forward, and the SBC is sending out workers to the ends of the earth. Through the Cooperative Program, Redeemer is a participant in that work. RBC is supporting Corban Rackley as a missionary in the SBC IMB residency program. Corban will spend a year in the Asia-Pacific Region, evangelizing among unreached people groups. Thank you to all those who contributed to this effort.
We also attended the Baptist21 meeting, a panel discussion with some of the SBC leaders, including Danny Akin and Al Mohler (both former SBC presidents) and Nate Akin from the Pillar Network. They talked openly about the challenges the SBC faced, including financial accountability and transparency. They did not agree on how to handle every issue, but they had friendly disagreements as brothers in Christ. They agreed it was important to stay focused on the mission of the SBC—fulfilling the Great Commission, church planting, and sound theological education.
There were several important resolutions and motions that came to the floor, including a strong affirmation of the sanctity of human life and the biblical view on gender and sexuality. A major motion sought to amend the SBC constitution to clarify that only men serve as pastors/elders. This position, grounded in Scripture and reflected by the Baptist Faith and Message, was presented as a clarification of the SBC’s core conviction. While a strong majority supported it, the motion did not receive the two-thirds vote required to pass. There was good discussion on the SBC’s support of complementarianism.
Another significant motion called for the abolition of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). Those in favor expressed concerns that the ERLC has drifted from the views of many Southern Baptists and hasn’t consistently represented the SBC’s values. The motion did not receive a majority vote, but it showed a desire for greater accountability. Overall, the discussions reflected a serious effort to stay faithful to God’s Word.
We all came back tired, but grateful for the chance to witness what God is doing. It’s important for Redeemer to participate in the SBC Annual Meeting so we can stay informed, have a voice in key decisions, and ensure the convention stays aligned with our church’s biblical convictions and values.
In His Service,
Rodney