The 2015 CBF General Assembly concluded with Cooperative Baptists observing communion led by Ellis Orozco, pastor of First Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas, with La Rondalla de la Americas guitar ensemble of CBF partner Baptist University of the Americas providing music during this time around the table.
Jim Somerville addressed the Dallas Assembly, challenging attendees to build a bridge over the “gaping wound of racism,” and encouraged Cooperative Baptists to take action to reconcile racial tensions and divides in their communities.
Preston Clegg called on attendees to consider the bridges God built through words in the act of creation and the power of God’s love that continues to speak bridges into being.
“WE CAN TAKE THE TESTIMONY OF HOW WE’VE FORMED TOGETHER AND HOW WE’RE MOVING FORWARD AS A SEED INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. I BELIEVE IN YOU. I BELIEVE IN US. I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A PLACE IN RENEWING GOD’S WORLD.”
reconcilers in the world. Preston Clegg, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., followed the Assembly’s worship theme of “Building Bridges” in his devotional message. “Some of the most expansive bridges are made of words,” said Clegg, as he explored the creation story in the Book of Genesis and the risk of speaking powerful words.“Before the very first sermon was preached, before the first choir harmonied, before the first organ hummed, before the first prayer was prayed, there were words God spoke: ‘Let there be,’ and there was. God made a bridge out of words.” Wondering with attendees about the risks in bridging a gap with words, Clegg asked if God knew that speaking out of creation was risky. We know that there was trouble in the garden, we know the story of Noah — the biblical narrative is filled with pain and pricey situations, he pointed out. “The moment that God said ‘let it be,’ Clegg said, “a door was opened to pain, to agony, to suffering; simply in speaking, the divine became vulnerable.” With these words, Clegg emphasized, not only did this possibility for pain and suffering become real, but the possibility for risky and
vulnerable love became and it was met with mixed emotions.” real as well. Through the Jones spoke to the changes of staffing, pain God continues to governance structure, branding and even the create and continues to move to a new office that has taken place speak bridges into being within the Fellowship over the past year. because of this great love, “It seems like this change was continually he said. met with courage,” Jones said. “I’m going “Love always builds to submit to you, fear was met with faith. … the bridge. Always. People trusted in the unknown, and that was This is why God’s love major. And I want to share that with you as a — God’s relentless, testimony to CBF.” stubborn, real, eternal and cosmic love — Jones challenged the Assembly attendees God’s love is life to us.” to look to the increase of violence in the Earlier in the day, the Assembly heard a country and around the world, to look at the final address from outgoing CBF Moderator changing social environment, and to look at Kasey Jones during the Friday morning what CBF has been able to accomplish. business session. “We can take the testimony of how we’ve “Change conjures up a host of emotions,” formed together and how we’re moving Jones said. “Every institution I have been a forward as a seed into our communities,” part of has undergone “LOVE ALWAYS BUILDS THE Jones said. “I believe in change.” you. I believe in us. I BRIDGE. ALWAYS. THIS IS This change, added believe that we have a Jones, who serves as WHY GOD’S LOVE — GOD’S place in renewing God’s senior pastor of National RELENTLESS, STUBBORN, world.” Baptist Memorial Church REAL, ETERNAL AND in Washington, D.C., is something that describes COSMIC LOVE — GOD’S her time in the role of LOVE IS LIFE TO US.” CBF Moderator. “Coming into this position, there was a lot of change,” said Jones. “Over the last year, change was everywhere in the life of CBF, For news, photos and videos from
the 2015 CBF General Assembly, visit www.cbf.net/dallas2015.
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