Tuesday was a full day of business. The highlight was the Commissioning of International missionaries who will go all over the world sharing Christ in tangible ways. It puts faces and voices to the offerings we give. President Bart Barber’s sermon on Romans 15 was a poignant, pointed message about the necessity for humility in gaining unity. President Barber was forthcoming and honest about his own mistakes and missteps in this area with a resolve to love one another and keep the love of Christ prominent.
Many things were debated, amended and presented, some of which I am sure got headlines. Please feel free to email me or text me about any specifics if you have questions. Though I am here and still have questions a good conversation can go a long way.
One decision that was voted on and approved was to accept the recommendation of the credentials committee that FBC Alexandria, VA be found “not in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention.” The church was reported to the SBC for practices contrary to the faith and practice of the SBC in 2022. They were then questioned by the committee and were honest that they have long ordained women as pastors and will continue in that practice. This was brought to the floor of the convention. The pastor of FBC Alexandria spoke with conviction, calm, and clarity about his church, their convictions on the ordination of women, and their desire to continue in cooperation with the SBC in the work of the church. Ultimately, the question before messengers was if the church’s practice violated the requirement from Article III of the SBC Constitution that a church “closely identify with” the “faith and practice” of the confessional statement, the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) in order to remain in friendly cooperation. Though I personally voted against this recommendation (i.e., against excluding FBC Alexandria from the SBC), the vast majority of messengers (over 91%) voted in favor.