Reflecting on a Year as SBC Presidnt

BY BART BARBER

Iwill spend the rest of my life reflecting upon the privilege of having served Southern Baptists as president this year. I could easily write six thousand words about the godly people I have encountered and the divinely empowered ministries they are performing with the support of millions of Southern Baptists across the country. Indeed, that’s the article I almost wrote.

Would you instead give me a few minutes of your time to demystify something for you and to give you the answer to a question that you might have—a question that I, too, had—that is important to the future of our Convention? I will even give you the answer right up front: You, too, could serve as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, no matter the size of your church or the condition of your bank account.

The president of the SBC is not required to speak anywhere except at SBC Executive Committee meetings, but I have accepted some invitations. I preached at all six seminaries and at number of association and state convention meetings. In addition to the required appointments, I appointed the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF). So, even with some unforeseen matters added to your plate, you could serve well in this role.

How? Because the leadership of the SBC is an “us” thing, not a “me” thing. I have had so much help. My local church has helped me. True, the pastor of an average-sized or smaller Southern Baptist church could not serve in this role unless your local church takes it on as a ministry and supports you, but then I doubt that any mega- church pastor has ever succeeded in this role without local-church support, either.

The other SBC officers, the staff of the SBC Executive Committee, and the volunteers of the SBC have helped me. The Committee on Order of Business has given amazing leadership in putting together the plan for the Annual Meeting. The staff of Baptist Press and the other members of the communications team at the SBC Executive Committee have shepherded me through a national TV interview and a dozen other media events. From the ARITF to the Credentials Committee, when Southern Baptists link arms and serve together with the Lord’s help, even the largest tasks become achievable.

Several former SBC presidents have also helped me, and several mega-church pastors in the SBC have helped me. If someone led you to believe that this is a small-church-versuslarge-church thing, let me say that I have not seen it. Rather, I have received from other Southern Baptists of all stripes just what I have needed: support, encouragement, advice when requested, and prayer when needed (which is all the time).

I am optimistic about the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. You should be, too. Future leaders of this Convention will include mega-church pastors and pastors of churches like mine. Committed lay leaders in the SBC will serve in various roles. The size or financial health of your church need not shut any doors. So, dare to dream a dream for the SBC, and dare to say yes when God calls you to serve.