BCM/D at SBC 2023 in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The annual Southern Baptist Convention was held June 11–14 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans and Maryland/Delaware Baptists were there and sometimes even in the spotlight.
More than 12,700 messengers, almost 3800 guests and over 2,000 exhibitors from around the country filled the massive convention center.
Glenn Swanson, BCM/D president and pastor of Bayside Baptist Church in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, said there were many highlights for him through the week, including the annual Pastor’s Conference with the theme, “Character Matters In Ministry — the Beatitudes of a Pastor.” Swanson said all of the messages were wonderful. “We were all encouraged and renewed through our time of worship.“
James Edinger, a member of Ogletown Baptist Church, will serve in Sub-Saharan Africa. Photo by Sharon Mager
Swanson wasn’t alone in naming the International Mission Board Sending Celebration on Tuesday morning a major highlight of the conference. Seventy-nine new missionaries were commissioned — a beautiful picture of why Southern Baptists partner. “These men and women will be the hands and feet of Jesus in various parts of the world. Many of these missionaries could not show their faces due to the possibility of persecution in the nations they will be serving,” he said.
Each of the missionaries shared a brief testimony. There were those who would be traveling with young children, as well as couples, and singles — some going into areas hostile to the gospel. One of the missionaries commissioned was Ogletown Baptist Church, Delaware, Member James Edinger, who will serve as a missionary to Sub-Saharan Africa
Swanson said he was also encouraged by the reports from Kevin Ezell, the president of the North American Mission Board, regarding church planting and the results of the evangelistic “Crossover New Orleans” with over 336 new confessions of faith. He also noted the seminary presentations and said, he is thankful for the Christ-centered teaching and training in SBC seminaries.
Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force
On Wednesday, Kris Buckman, who serves as BCM/D’s children’s and youth ministry missionary took the platform to share about abuse prevention, holding up rack cards that list essentials every church can do to prevent, respond and care when abuse happens. Buckman, who also serves as a member of the SBC Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARTIF) encouraged messengers to keep pressing forward with reform. She emphasized, “Background checks alone are not effective in preventing abuse in our churches. A multi-layered approach that includes all five essentials builds strong barriers for protection.”
“The phrase is often said by pastors, “They didn’t teach this in seminary.” No one expects church leaders and pastors to be experts on this. But there are experts out there. And this toolbox will provide resources that will educate you and point you in the right direction.
Mike Keahbone, at the platform, an AITF member, prays following the committee update. Kris Buckman,( BCM/D Children’s & Youth Ministry Missionary is far right.‚ Photo by Sharon Mager.
“95% of abuse can be prevented through awareness and education.” Buckman referring to a virtual toolbox, on the new ARITF website, said, “We’re looking forward to expanding the toolbox to provide resources for parents and families to partner with us in abuse prevention and resources aimed specifically at protecting those affected by physical and mental disabilities, as the statistics are staggering for that population.
“We pray these resources are helpful. We look forward to continuing to provide you with more. Together, collectively, we can make every SBC church a safe church.”
Messengers voted to fund the task force for another year to fulfill the mandates given at the 2022 meeting — continuing the development of a website to list individuals “credibly accused” of committing abuse. The new website is now live and includes the toolbox.
Business
Among the decisions made during the Annual Meeting was the topic regarding the appeal of the disaffiliation of several churches regarding women serving in pastoral roles Following much discussion, messengers agreed with a February 2023 decision by the SBC Executive Committee to deem Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., Freedom Church in Vero Beach, Fla., and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, “not in friendly cooperation with the SBC.”
BCM/D pastors look amazingly bright for a 7:30 am coffee meet & greet. Photo by Glenn Swanson
Keith Myer, the pastor of Harvest Church, Salisbury, and Eastern Baptist Association director of missions, submitted a resolution on “On the Benefits and Dangers of Artificial Intelligence,” and a motion to amend the SBC organizational manual so ERLC assists churches and entities in responding to abuse.
The Resolutions Committee used Myer’s submission in creating Resolution 3, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies.”Click on the button below to read the resolution).
The second motion, regarding amending the organizational manual in response to abuse, was referred to the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
Read a comprehensive article about other decisions and annual meeting business here.
Fellowship
Faith Glen Burnie Church, Maryland, Lead Pastor Tim Byer organized a coffee meet-up and several pastors, wives and others showed up bright and early on Tuesday for caffeine and conversation. This has become an annual meeting tradition.
Jay Beard, the pastor of Thurmont Baptist Church, and his wife Caressa, dropped in for a time at the BCM/D dessert fellowship in NOLA>
New this year for Mayland/Delaware pastors was a dessert fellowship, later on, Tuesday evening, suggested at a General Mission Board meeting by Glenn Swanson. Swanson said he wanted to provide an opportunity for BCM/D brothers and sisters to meet together at the meeting. BCM/D Communications Director Megan Jones organized the event and was pleasantly surprised when over 50 Maryland/Delaware pastors, wives and guests attended, munching on pralines, berries, bread pudding, fruit-infused tea, and other goodies as they were talking and catching up with one other. Even a former BCM/D pastor dropped by to visit. Swanson greeted guests, and BCM/D Associate Executive Director Mark Dooley opened the casual evening with prayer.
There were many other highlights throughout the week, including gospel conversations with bus drivers and employees at the convention center, hotels and restaurants. And, there were lots of encouraging words and freindly conversations while riding shuttles and throughout the event. Many connections were made and new friendships, and partnerships, were formed.
Swanson said, “I am thankful that the light of Christ was shining brightly throughout New Orleans this week. (Matthew 5:14). May the people that we came in contact with come to know Jesus and renew their faith because of our testimony.”
Feature photo: Kris Bukman shares at the SBC during the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force report at the SBC. Photo by Sharon Mager.
Glenn Swanson contributed to this article.
