Mind of the Missionary
July 2019
“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15.5-6)
While I was attending seminary in New Orleans, Claren and I had the opportunity to attend the 1984 World’s Fair. We had a great time walking through the pavilions, especially China, because it seemed so mysterious at the time. Then, there was the space shuttle, the window to the universe. Last, there was the kid’s wash. It sounds childish, but it was super hot, and the water helped cool us down.
If you didn’t attend the SBC Annual Meeting last week in Birmingham, you missed an opportunity to see how our convention functions. It’s like a mini-World’s Fair with the exposition hall full of SBC or SBC recommended colleges and seminaries, the IMB and NAMB booths, Guidestone, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, Lifeway, and other ministries within the SBC. There was time for lunches and dinners for all of the different entities. The great thing is that some of them were free. You just had to make your reservation ahead of time.
In between sessions, you had plenty of room to walk, sit, talk, and maybe even catch a quick nap. I met folks that I knew from Alabama, from the IMB and NAMB, and even met a few new people. The SBC annual meeting is a great place to experience the life of our convention…our cooperative program in action. Just this past weekend at the Bicentennial celebration in Aliceville, I met an African-American man whose church is a member of the SBC. He said he couldn’t believe how much the SBC has to offer. I believe similarly…we, as members, don’t always know or appreciate what we have.
On top of all these great things, you get to hear and participate in some great worship and preaching/teaching. These men who spoke inspired me to fulfill the meeting’s theme, “Gospel Above All” from I Corinthians 15.4-5.
As the PBA moves forward, I would like to challenge us to put the “Gospel Above All”. Paul wrote, “Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Col. 3.17) I would even add our desires and thoughts. May all that we do for Jesus be what motivates us to fulfill God’s purpose through Pickens Baptist Association!
Until next month,
Bro. Lyle