A Word from Mike.....
SBC ANNUAL MEETING…
June is the month for the annual SBC meeting, this year in Orlando, Fla. Some of you may be attending and will look forward to an enjoyable time away and to renewed fellowship with those you may only get to see at these meetings. It is also a time for Southern Baptists to conduct needed business. Much of it is routine, and some of it will garner greater attention and interest.
This year, it appears that a recurring topic is up for consideration once again…the matter of women bearing the title of pastor.
The issue is not whether the scriptures address the matter; the issue is more about how the passages should be interpreted and applied. The rub of disagreement seems to be whether or not we are talking about the role of senior leadership in churches, or whether this is an attempt to discourage churches from applying the term pastor to women in any role…such as the title given to a woman leading a children’s or youth ministry, etc. Can she be called a children’s pastor without violating biblical principles? Some think, YES…and some think, categorically, NO. Few Southern Baptists approve women being in senior leadership roles over the whole church, but some have less a problem with women holding the title for a non-senior-leadership role.
An amendment to the SBC constitution is scheduled to be offered that will seek to define the matter with what some believe will bring greater clarity and clearer parameters for deciding who can be in good fellowship with the SBC. The issue is already addressed in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, but some think that it is still lacking in definition.
If you attend the meeting in person, watch online, or simply stay uninvolved until the verdicts are reached, I urge you to work hard at understanding the issues and implications clearly before voting or weighing into the fray. Many opinions are circulating with great certainty and verbosity, and I pray that God will bring a peaceful resolution to the matter. Rest assured, no matter the outcome on a vote, the SBC is not about to spiral out of control into liberalism.
ON A DIFFERENT AND LOCAL NOTE…
Dr. Mark Dance, Executive Director of the ABSC has been visiting associations and visiting with pastors in what he is calling a “listening tour.” The HBA and Centennial Association have joined together to have Dr. Dance come here for lunch and a visit at noon on Tuesday, June 23, at the HBA office. I hope many of you will come meet him, ask questions, and give your input. It should be a great time of fellowship and fact-gathering. We will get more info out to you soon.
As of the first of June, I complete my 11th year of serving with you here at the HBA. It has been and continues to be a blessing. I am extremely thankful to God and to you for the opportunity and privilege of ministry with you, and am more excited and hopeful than ever about what God is doing here!
Thanks so much for your friendship and partnership.
MM
