Baptist21 held its 2nd annual B21 Panel at the SBC. The panel took place in Orlando during Tuesday’s Lunch at the SBC. The members of the panel were Danny Akin, Matt Chandler, Ronnie Floyd, Johnny Hunt, Albert Mohler, David Platt, Jimmy Scroggins, and Ed Stetzer. The panel discussed issues pertaining to the gospel, the SBC and its future, the Great Commission Resurgence, and more.
b21 Panel at 2010 SBC Annual Meeting from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.
B21 Panel SBC2009: Also, check out the video from last year’s panel at SBC 2009
In addition, Baptist21 would like our readers to be aware of the discussion that took place on the Tuesday night of the Southern Baptist Convention at the 9marks@9 event. During that event Danny Akin, Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, and David Platt discussed some very important topics. They addressed Platt’s sermon from the previous night, the importance of the GCR, next steps for the SBC and individual pastors, the health of the SBC, the importance of attending the national meeting (check the Mohler quote at about 11:30-12:30), the future of theological education, and more.
IX Marks at 9 Panel from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.
Baptist21 is so grateful for the Media Services department at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. They graciously served us through videoing our event and through recording the 9marks@9 event. We are indebted to them.
Baptist21 has conducted a series of Post-SBC Reflection interviews. Up first is Pastor Tony Merida. Baptist21 is grateful for the ministry of Tony (we hope you will get to know it if you don’t) and we are very thankful for his graciousness in taking the time to answer these questions.
Bio: Tony is the teaching pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. Tony is a two-time graduate of NOBTS, with the final degree being a Ph.D in Preaching with an emphasis in Theology. Tony also spends time overseas teaching in Seminaries around the world. Previously, Tony served as senior pastor at FBC Kenner, LA and as the Dean of the Chapel at NOBTS. Tony has recently released a book entitled, “Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity.” Tony has been married to his wife Kimberly for 7 years and they have adopted four children from the Ukraine.
What drew you to this year’s meeting?
What were the highlights of the annual meeting to you?
Why are you Southern Baptist?
What are your post convention thoughts about the passing of the GCR? What are next steps?
Tony has also written some thoughts on SBC 2010 at his blog in a post entitled, “The Grace of Friendship”
The level of excitement amongst Southern Baptists leading up to the 2010 SBC in Orlando was, to say the least, unusually high. With the Orlando convention in our past, we thought we’d offer a few thoughts about the things that greatly encouraged us (in no particular order).
1. The Passing of GCRTF Recommendations – Over a year and four months ago, Dr. Danny Akin preached a sermon on the “Axioms of a Great Commission Resurgence.” Since this sermon was delivered, there has been much said, prayed, written, and researched about. Although there was some disagreement, Southern Baptists overwhelmingly voted in favor of the GCRTF recommendations. The approval of these recommendations is not the last step. It is a very critical first step though.
2. Election of Bryant Wright as the President of the SBC – There were four presidential candidates that Southern Baptists had to choose from. All four were godly men with great ministry experience. Two of the candidates were for the GCRTF recommendations and two were not (although they were for the Great Commission, of course). On the second ballot, Southern Baptists elected Bryant Wright to be the President of the SBC. We are very encouraged to have a president who is fiercely committed to the Great Commission.
3. B21 Panel – With around 1300 people of all ages in attendance, many of whom had never attended the Southern Baptist Convention, and eight of the most important voices in Southern Baptist life on stage, the B21 panel took an hour or so to talk about the most important issues facing Southern Baptists today. Also, because of the great generosity of others, the attendees received 4 free books. B21 is excited that younger Southern Baptists are rallying around a vision of greater Great Commission effectiveness within the SBC instead of outside of it.
4. Pastor’s Conference – The pastors that make up the over 44,000 churches of the SBC have very different tastes when it comes to “good preaching.” Thus, it is impossible to satisfy everyone. Yet, by our estimation, Pastor Kevin Ezell, the president of this years Pastor’s Conference, did an excellent job. Placing a number of “new faces” on the preaching schedule, provided the diversity necessary to excite a wide range of Southern Baptists. We are grateful for the leadership that Pastor Ezell provided for the pastors of the SBC.
5. Meal with Dr. Rainer, Dr. Waggoner, and Dr. Moore – While there are some who whine about the lack of connection between older and younger pastors, many Southern Baptists are doing something about it. Dr. Thom Rainer and Dr. Brad Waggoner spent a good bit of time with about 12 young SBC leaders over a meal talking about the SBC, church issues, the gospel, and football. It was a great time of fellowship and conversation for the advancement of the kingdom. Also, a similar gathering was held on Sunday night with Dr. Russell Moore. These types of get-togethers are a great sign of health.
6. The Way Southern Baptists Disagreed – Southern Baptists are passionate people. They believe in the gospel and its advancement with great conviction. Yet, Southern Baptists have not always discussed the manner in which the gospel should be advanced with humility and grace. And this is no small thing. Yet, we believe that the disagreements that took place on the floor by opposing sides of the GCR were honoring to Christ. We believe that this is one of the greatest things that happened at the SBC this year and we hope it is a sign of things to come.
7. The Resolutions – Anyone can write and submit a resolution to the Resolutions Committee. This can make for some interesting resolutions. The difficult job of deciding on which resolutions should be placed before Southern Baptists belongs to the Resolutions Committee. This years chairman, Dr. Russell Moore, did an excellent job with the committee, providing resolutions that speak to being gospel-centered, the oil spill in the gulf of Mexico, family worship, and the scandal of Southern Baptist divorce. We think the tone and direction that these resolutions took are a great sign of maturity on the part of Southern Baptists.
8. Johnny Hunt – It’s hard to overestimate the importance of Johnny Hunt for the kingdom in general and for Southern Baptists in particular. The unique and infectious passion for the advancement of Christ amongst the nations embodied in Johnny Hunt is amazing. God has been gracious to Southern Baptists in giving us a leader who brought together so many types of Southern Baptists for the cause of Christ. The humility and courage that characterized Johnny Hunt’s presidency will be, in our opinion, an important part of the Southern Baptist story when it is all said and done.
9. 9 Marks at 9 – 9 Marks ministries, like last year, provided an interesting and provocative discussion on two nights of the SBC. Attendees received a number of free books and refreshments each night. This is the second year that 9 Marks has had these late night sessions. Both years, these 9 Marks events have offered something unique and helpful to the many young Southern Baptists in attendance.
With the SBC now behind us, Baptist21 is reflecting on our time together at the B21 Lunch Panel. We’re extremely grateful to the sponsors, attendees, panelists, and volunteers who helped make the event what it was. We’ve appreciated all of the kind words that we have received since our time together. We pray that Christ was honored and the church was helped because of our time together.
As we look forward to future B21 events, we’re discussing what we should do differently and what we should continue to do. As we discuss these things, we would love to hear from you. What did you appreciate about the event? What would you like us to change? If you don’t mind, would you help us by emailing your thoughts on these issues to baptist21@gmail.com.
Baptist21 would like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for their help in making the recent B21 Panel SBC2010 a success. The event saw more than 1200 attendees and featured a great discussion about the gospel, the Great Commission Resurgence, and the future of the SBC (the video from this event will be made available as soon as possible). In addition, we would like to make our readers aware of the ministries of these sponsors and some exciting opportunities that they are offering.
Baptist21 is very grateful for the ministries of B&H Publishing and Lifeway Christian Resources. They have served us faithfully for so many years, pointing us to Christ through their resources and events. We are especially grateful for their efforts on the HCSB. We love the advances in scholarship, which is seen in the use of Yahweh, Messiah, and Slave in their proper places, and contemporary speech patterns. We pray that God would increase their efforts and effectiveness for the kingdom of Christ.
From Bethany website: Bethany Christian Services is the nation’s largest adoption agency, and we also care for women facing unplanned pregnancies and orphans living on five continents. We are called to care for children of all ages and in all stages of life. We serve children at conception by counseling women with unplanned pregnancies and by providing frozen embryos a chance for a full life through our embryo adoption program. Our commitment extends to children and teens who are living in foster care or in orphanages—children who need a “forever family.”
Our comprehensive services include adoption, temporary foster care, counseling, training, and family support because we know children thrive in safe, loving, and strong families. We are committed to finding the best families for children in need around the world. Our mission calls us to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.
In conjunction with the SBC Adoption fund set up by this year’s Southern Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Bethany is announcing an exciting offer of complimenting funds. Check it out here
Baptist21 is extremely thankful for Joshua Shanks and his work through Plant Boxx. Shanks developed our new logo, banner, and table covering. He has been tremendously helpful to us and we would encourage all those looking for work with banners, logos, brochures, etc to check out his work at Plant Boxx.
In addition, he is a church planter in Youngstown, OH and is probably the first person ever to rap a motion at the Southern Baptist Convention. Check it out
The International Mission Board was gracious in sponsoring the panel and they have indicated their hope to focus on working with young leaders in the SBC. One project they are working on that we would like to make our readers aware of is the “Last Letter” Project. Check it out.
Baptist21 is indebted to Pastor Johnny Hunt. He has been extremely kind to b21. He provided for the meal at last year’s SBC and his church made much of what was done at this year’s event possible. We are thankful for men in the faith like Johnny Hunt. And we are so grateful for his two years of leadership in the SBC. Thank you pastor Hunt.
It took numerous sponsors to make the B21 Lunch Panel happen. We are so grateful to them and we are so thankful for their kindness and generosity. Without their help, this event would have never taken place. In addition, these churches and institutions made it possible for us to serve food and give away books at a very reasonable price. We cannot thank them enough. You can find more information about them by clicking on their name below.
Volunteers
We had a slew of volunteers that graciously served the attendees and us. This event could not have been pulled off without them. We are so thankful for their help.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Media Team – We are extremely grateful to this team. They video recorded the event for b21 and that video will be made available soon. They have been so gracious in helping us with several events. We are deeply indebted to them.
- Mike Hawley
- Jon Rice
- Justin White
Other Volunteers
- Jonathan Six
- Larry Lyon
- Jay Humphrey
- Gary Shugart
- Elizabeth Graham
- Suzanne Tilley
- Debbie Shugart
- Kim Humphrey
- Justin Arbuckle
- Trea Brunson
- Andy Metzger
- Tim Akin
- Caleb Coppenger
- William Brown
- Derek Simpson
- Jake Stum
- Garrett Wishall
- Raymond Johnson
