Newsletter #129
On the 2024 Free Will Baptist National Association
A Full Week in Tampa
I mentioned in last week’s newsletter that I was catching up from a jam-packed week in Tampa, and that I would soon provide some reflections. Well, I’m still not entirely sure I’m prepared to do that, I will attempt it. (One can read the more “official” write-up or overview of the Convention in the forthcoming edition of ONE Magazine.)
Now then, in no particular order:
It’s Always Clammy in Tampa
First, Tampa was uncomfortable. It is a beautiful city, but “clammy” doesn’t begin to do justice to the way the air feels downtown in July. I know—this wasn’t surprising. After all, this was my third trip to Tampa for a July convention. Kudos to the city for the delicious food and generally appealing climate, but I’m content to go to Grand Rapids every year for our Convention. Or we could just have the meeting in Tampa every year, but in February or March!
Good Times with Old Friends
Second, I never cease to marvel and delight in the incredible opportunity we have each July to reconnect with people from our past. Without fail, I have coffee, a meal, and/or a long conversation with people who have meant so much to me in my life. I think of a friend who was a groomsman in my wedding. It had been seven or eight years since I had laid eyes on him. We were able to enjoy a dessert, a long conversation, sitting together for Sunday school, and a warm embrace.
I think of a former pastor and his wife who were formative for me as a Junior High student.
I think of a supportive couple from my former church who I saw for the first time in a few years. It was wonderful hearing about their life and family, and seeing pictures of their grandkids.
I think of an old college buddy whose company I’ve always enjoyed. Our conversation was life-giving.
The price of the Convention is probably worth these experiences alone.
Good Times with New Friends
Third, if you’re not meeting new people, you’re doing the National Convention wrong. People are everywhere, thousands of them. They’re wearing nametags! Introduce yourself. Connect the names and faces you’ve likely been hearing or seeing for years.
I always find myself getting introduced to someone who I have known from afar for a long time, but never spoke to face-to-face. It turns out most people are reasonably normal. Well, I shouldn’t go that far, but you get the point. Meeting people humanizes them. They’re no longer just a board member, a denominational leader, an author, or a stranger. They’re not too different from you. They are, after all, at the Free Will Baptist National Association. Yes, we’re becoming more diverse, but we’ve got more in common than we think.
Something for Everyone
Fourth, due to my many obligations, I was only able to attend two seminars, including ones I either presented or moderated. But a cursory glance at the program reminds us that there’s a topic, training, resource, or event for everyone. Literally, unless you’re a narcoleptic, agoraphobic, transgendered ventriloquist (Why are you at a church convention again?), there’s something to encourage, inform, challenge, or train you in your walk with and work for Jesus.
I can only speak for what I was personally involved in, so let me commend Chris Talbot for his deep dive into the theology of the body. (Keep your eyes and ears open for more on that at fwbtheology.com.) Moreover, if anyone would like more information about my seminar on infertility, I’m happy to oblige.
Leadership Matters
Fifth, I deeply appreciate the hard work that our officers, directors, and/or department leaders undergo in preparation for the Convention. Most delegates have no idea what goes into readying a department or agency for this event. The financial costs are great, the stress is significant, and the effort is exhausting. However, I never hear them complain. They show up, they’re prepared, and they are generally accessible. They are to be commended.
We Need Money
Sixth, anyone with a caring heart and careful eye could see that we have some serious financial challenges facing our movement. Having sat through the reports from each department and commission, as well as being involved in other special meetings, I heard more than once about red ink, sustainability, financial cliffs, and denominational survival. I’m not sharing anything that an attentive delegate wouldn’t know about.
As with most problems, this seems to be a time for “all-of-the-above” thinking.
Fundamentally, we need to reach people and disciple them for the glory of God. That would not only glorify God, but it would strengthen His people. In turn, it would remedy most, if not all of our financial woes. Remember, God is the object of our praise, and people are the subject of our work.
Do we need to fund our endowments and/or trusts? Yes! Do we need more small gifts from monthly donors? Yes! Do we need more large gifts from donors whom God has richly blessed? Yes! Do we need to retool in a few areas to optimize what we’re doing? Yes!
I left the Convention thinking specifically, (1) What do I need to do? And (2) What does my church need to do? Of course, our State Association could always do more, also. However, I would commend our Missouri churches for their commitment to CO-OP and Show Me Missions. These vehicles for denominational support are a powerful antidote to some of our financial struggles, even if they still require increased buy-in from our churches.
Serving is an Honor and Privilege
Finally, I concluded my first full year as Assistant Moderator of the National Association. Or as one person said, “the Kamala Harris of the denomination.” (Not the way FWB polity works, but let’s move along…)
I simply want to reaffirm remarks I have made elsewhere in saying that our Executive Committee is comprised of many fine men who I enjoy being around. I deeply appreciate their insight, experience, and concern for the well-being of our movement. I am also grateful for this opportunity to serve.
I hope to see many of you in Kansas City next July!
Lend Me a Hand
In preparation for a graduate course I will be teaching at a future date, I am surveying a wide range of apologetics books and other titles within the philosophy of religion. It’s truly an embarrassment of riches. However, I want to hear from you. Take the poll below and indicate your favorite apologetics book.
Quotes of the Week:
As my wife pointed out to me, anytime you need to have an “Appreciation Day,” you’ve already conceded that you don’t properly respect that person. For example, we don’t have Medical Doctor Appreciation Day. Or CEO Appreciation Day. We have Staff Appreciation Day. Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day. And Teacher Appreciation Day. You have an appreciation day when you don’t properly appreciate someone and you know it. But that doesn’t fix the deeper problem.
O. Alan Noble, “Respect for K-12 Teachers.”
The second wrong way the path of virtue is taken is when the students regard it as a representative of the true gospel, but where they see all the standards of the Christian faith (law), without an understanding of the power that God gives us that enables us to live according to those standards (which is gospel). Attempts to inculcate virtue here will only provoke rebellion [which can assume many forms]. As the old saying goes, never try to teach a pig to whistle. It is a waste of your time, and it annoys the pig.
Douglas Wilson, “On Teaching a Pig to Whistle.”
What I’m Reading Now/Again/Still:
James Davison Hunter, Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America’s Political Crisis.
Chris Matthews, Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked.
If you’re the Free Will Baptist minister of record in a Free Will Baptist church, by now you should have your copy of the inaugural edition of De Doctrina. I was honored to write the first article for this elegant, new publication. If you would like to read it, you can download a copy from the Commission for Theological Integrity’s webpage: De Doctrina: Volume 1 (fwbtheology.com).
Event:
If you live in the St. Louis area, you still have time to register for this exciting event at Concordia Seminary, my alma mater. I’ll be presenting one of the sectionals, but don’t come for that. Come for the excellent plenaries and more!
Parting Shot:
Our first LONG trip with our two small children in a vehicle is happening this week. If you don’t see a newsletter in your inbox next Monday, you will know that it didn’t go well.
