Beyond Division
Blogs, social media posts, and newsletters are blowing up in anticipation of the SBC Annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. There is a high level of fear and trepidation over the current state of the convention of churches and for opposing reasons, many view this annual meeting as a watershed moment that may define the course of the convention over the next few decades.
The purpose of this blog is not to weigh in on the divisive matters. They certainly matter and I will proudly represent my local church as a messenger and weigh into the pertinent decisions in celebration of our congregational model. Regardless of where you and your church land in the debate of confessionalism and how clearly we define alignment with our statement of faith. or where you land on the spectrum of complementarian versus egalitarian, or where you land on the soteriological spectrum of sovereign will versus man’s choice, we must increase our awareness of what the unchurched world sees in us. There is a lost and dying world that is watching how we treat one another and our conduct may be a reason why they reject the hope of Christ.
Philippians 4:2-7 is a call by Paul to the church to agree with one another. There was a non-disclosed issue that created division and the church at large was called to rally around them, encourage resolution, and resolve to advance the Gospel. The application of this text to our local churches and our convention of churches has never been more appropriate.
We can and should debate issues and fight for the Gospel. We should discuss and defend the authority of Scripture. We must do so in love and with grace to one another. Sadly, the freedom expressed through derogatory comments on social media does not foster a spirit of love but spews hate.
My prayer is that this annual meeting will be similar to experiences in the past. Historically, once we get in the room and celebrate the advancement of the Gospel through mission efforts, church planting, and cooperative movement, there is a unity that swells through the work of the Spirit. Typically then, there is more unity in the room than what is anticipated through the venom spewed leading up to the meeting. I pray we are led by the Spirit, speak the truth in love and with respect, and unite around the mission. John 4:35 reminds us that the workers are few and the fields are white. May we see the harvest and link arms as we carry hope to a lost world.
