In just a few days, thousands of Southern Baptists will travel to St. Louis, Missouri for the annual Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), 2016. The Southern Baptist Convention is a voluntarily network of local churches who have committed to cooperate together for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ for God’s glory and humanity’s good.
Here are 5 ways you can pray for the SBC 2016 in St. Louis:
1) New President
This year, current President Ronnie Floyd’s term will end, which means the next president will be elected. SBC presidents serve one year terms and may hold the position for a maximum of two consecutive terms. According to the Baptist Press, the SBC official news service, the current nominees are J.D. Greear, Steve Gaines, and David Crosby.
While the position of SBC President is largely voluntary, the president in many ways helps to direct the future of the convention and will set the tone of the SBC. Please join in prayer for the many messengers who will vote on the new president.
2) Racial Unity Panel
Ronnie Floyd will be leading the Presidential Panel on racial unity in America. Joining him will be ten Southern Baptist pastors of different races and ministry contexts.
It’s no secret that the SBC including early SBC leaders have been silent in the past by not standing up for the full and equal human dignity of people from all races and in some cases being complicit on the sin of racism.
Please join in pray for the men who will be speaking on this panel, that their words will be seasoned with scriptural wisdom and their hearts postured in a place of repentance, love, and unity. And, that those who hear this panel might be moved to be faithful witnesses of Christ’s redemption to a fallen world and no longer be silent on a base issues so close to the heart of humanity dignity.
3) SBC Entities
Each year the eleven ministry entities of the SBC give a report on their work and projected future endeavors. Please join in prayer for each of these entities, that their work might be to the glory of God, service of local churches, and good of humanity.
a) SBC Executive Committee
“The Executive Committee exists to minister to the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention by acting for the Convention ad interim in all matters not otherwise provided for in a manner that encourages the cooperation and confidence of the churches, associations, and state conventions and facilitates maximum support for worldwide missions and ministries.”
b) Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC)
“The ERLC is dedicated to engaging the culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ and speaking to issues in the public square for the protection of religious liberty and human flourishing. Our vision can be summed up in three words: kingdom, culture and mission.
c) Guidestone Financial Resources
“Guidestone Financial Resources exists to assist the churches, denominational entities, and other evangelical ministry organizations by making available retirement plan services, life and health coverage, risk management programs, and personal and institutional investment programs.”
d) International Mission Board (IMB)
“The International Mission Board exists to assist the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention to be on mission with God in penetrating the unevangelized world outside the United States and Canada with the gospel and making Christ known among all people.”
e) LifeWay Christian Resources
“LifeWay Christian Resources exists to assist churches and believers to evangelize the world to Christ, develop believers, and grow churches by being the best provider of relevant, high quality, high value Christian products and services.”
f) North American Mission Board
“The North American Mission Board exists to work with churches, associations and state conventions in mobilizing Southern Baptists as a missional force to impact North America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism and church planting.”
g) Theological Seminaries
“Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries exist to prepare God called men and women for vocational service in Baptist churches and in other Christian ministries throughout the world through programs of spiritual development, theological studies, and practical preparation in ministry.” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
h) Women’s Missionary Union
“Woman’s Missionary Union assists churches in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy of missions in order that a church can fulfill its total mission in the world. Woman’s Missionary Union challenges Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God.”
The Baptist 21 (B21) panel will feature a discussion on issues with the SBC, SB churches, and evangelicalism. Please pray for the panelist to have much wisdom in tackling some difficult and personal topics such as both the SBC and US presidential elections, social issues, denominational policies, the future of mission work through the IMB, and others. And that they might articulate from scripture what a faithful witness of Christ might look like in an every-changing world.
5) ERLC & 9Marks Conversation: God, Politics and Other East Topics
On a personal note: two of the best resources for me in the recent years (outside of my local church) have been the ERLC and 9Marks. Both of these groups have been bold and faithful voices in church and public life. Please pray for their discussion that they might help Christians to see just how the Bible has an answer to all of life’s biggest questions especially those most relevant today. And the importance of the local church in the life of the Christians and the public square.
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