The Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting last week significantly
mirrored the 1990 Southern Baptist Convention that met in the same metropolitan
area.
At the New Orleans 1990 Southern Baptist Convention, the movement headed primarily
by Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson won a watershed election as Morris Chapman
defeated Daniel Vestal for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The
margin of that vote was 58 percent for Morris Chapman and 42 percent for Daniel
Vestal.
The Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting last week significantly
mirrored the 1990 Southern Baptist Convention that met in the same metropolitan
area.
At the New Orleans 1990 Southern Baptist Convention, the movement headed primarily
by Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson won a watershed election as Morris Chapman
defeated Daniel Vestal for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The
margin of that vote was 58 percent for Morris Chapman and 42 percent for Daniel
Vestal.
Since that election, those opposed to the movement that was reshaping the Southern
Baptist Convention never have put forth a candidate for the convention presidency.
Last week in Westwego, a suburb of New Orleans, Steve James was elected Louisiana
Baptist Convention president over Waylon Bailey. Steve James garnered 58 percent
of messenger votes to Waylon Baileys 42 percent. Steve James was the nominee
of Louisiana Baptists who have worked to bring the Louisiana Baptist Convention
in line with the Southern Baptist Convention.
In 1990, the elected Southern Baptist Convention leadership continually condemned
any departure from declaring the Bible as the inerrant word of God. The same
was true for the Louisiana Baptist Convention last week.
Those who have wanted to put the Louisiana Baptist Convention more in line
with the direction of the Southern Baptist Convention obviously have achieved
that goal.
However, hopefully, the Louisiana Baptist Convention will not not track exactly
what happened after the 1990 Southern Baptist Convention.
After Morris Chapmans victory, a splinter group of Southern Baptists,
unhappy with the conventions direction, organized into a quasi-convention.
While that group has not yet formed an official denomination and apparently
has not taken away significantly from the Southern Baptist fold or finances,
they remain to some a temptation just outside the Southern Baptist tent.
(In an interesting twist of history, Morris Chapman later became – and
is now – the president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Executive
Committee. Daniel Vestal later became – and is now – head of the splinter
group.)
Hopefully and prayerfully, Louisiana Baptists will remain together as a vibrant
force for the Lord.
Steve James has said on several occasions that he intends to lead in doing
just that. He has said he wants to be an instrument of healing and unifying
Louisiana Baptists after the years of controversy. Indeed, a news report in
the Times-Picayune of New Orleans said James had indicated he was open to appointing
certain moderate/conservatives to key committees of the state convention.
Those who did not vote for Steve James should take him at his word and allow
him to move the convention forward toward healing and unity.
Also, the last three conventions have approved strong statements on the reliability
and trustworthiness of the Bible. One wonders how this could be stated any more
clearly or more strongly than this years resolution on the Bible. It would
seem this issue has been firmly nailed down and now, having these strong statements
assumed, the focus of the convention could be on other vital issues facing Baptists
and the lost world. Placing the spotlight of attention on evangelism, strengthening
the family, discipleship, world missions, eradicating hate, helping the needy
and installing the Prince of Peace in the lives of believers could unify Louisiana
Baptist efforts. Such efforts would not minimize the importance of the doctrine
of the Bible but would emphasize the importance of living the Bible.
Also, to encourage a healing process, divisive rhetoric – both spoken
and written – among Louisiana Baptists must cease and be replaced with
reconciling words of grace. Caricaturing of people on either side of issues
is not Christian and imparts falsehoods and should stop.
“Step” Martin, in the convention sermon, made an urgent, eloquent
and significant plea for Louisiana Baptists to stop talking about one another,
to forgive one another and to love one another. Certainly, this would lead to
Louisiana Baptists respecting one another, accepting one another, behaving lovingly
toward one another in word and deed, as well as trusting one another.
Louisiana Baptists are at a turning point. The next few years will be pivotal
in the future of the state convention. We could see permanent fragmentation
or a disintegration of interest by some individuals and some churches. Or, we
could see a reunification of spirit and a consensus of purpose. We need to “stick
together – accomplish more.”
Conflict and controversy are always easier to generate than peace and unity
of purpose. Tragically, two state conventions have “split” during
the last 10 years, and another state convention is in the process of splitting.
Prayerfully, the Louisiana Baptist Convention will experience none of that.
A Few Second Thoughts About The Convention
T.C. “Tommy” French completed his two terms as president of
the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He was a forceful spokesman for his positions
during his tenure, and that made him popular among some and not so popular among
others. Still, one thing I believe most would agree upon – he was
fair in his moderating and was as hard a working a president as this state convention
has seen. He attended and participated in almost every agency board and convention
committee meeting and filled almost every request to speak as convention president.
His supportive church and family will be glad to have him “back as their
own.”
Louisiana Baptists can sing. All those thousands of hours the directors
of childrens and youth choirs invest over the years really pays off when
their graduates become adult choirs and stand to present the gospel message
in music. This years convention proves again that some of the best music
in the land happens on Sundays when Baptists sing.
“Does anyone know how to get to the Alario Center?” That seemed
the most-asked question among convention goers. Folks from outside New Orleans
– that would be most Louisiana Baptists – are daunted by that
citys traffic and street patterns, or lack thereof. But once folks found
the center, they seemed to think it was ideal for a Louisiana Baptist Convention
kind of meeting. The smaller attendance at this years meeting was just
right
for the center.
Have you noticed that knowing what to do is usually easier than knowing
how to do it? “Step” Martins message on forgiving and loving
one another was outstanding. Louisiana Baptists know what to do. Hopefully,
we will work hard at knowing how to make it a concrete reality.
Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Dean Dosters healthy
presence at this years convention was an answer to multitudes of prayers.
Dean Doster underwent open heart surgery only weeks before this years
annual meeting. Fortunately, physicians discovered some blocked arteries before
the problem caused heart damage. Dean Doster is getting stronger every day and
did not miss a beat at the meeting. We are thankful for his speedy recovery.
I was, and am, speechless. The Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation
was filled with grace enough to honor me by naming one of their awards in my
honor – the Lynn P. Clayton Christian Communicator Award. And then, with
an extra portion of grace, they made me the first recipient of that award at
this years state convention. To be honored by that significant organization
is overwhelming. Only by grace. Thank you, Ken Ward, and Louisiana Moral and
Civic Foundation directors.