BaptistLIFE Online

By Karen L. Willoughby

Michael Pigg, right, current president of the National African American Fellowship (NAAF) of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Philadelphia Church in Lithonia, Ga., introduces James Dixon, left, president-elect of the NAAF and pastor of El Bethel Church, Ft. Washington, Md., during the annual banquet June 14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Kent Harville.

ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)—Racial reconciliation is his agenda, James Dixon, incoming president of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, said at the group’s gathering June 14 in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Fla.

“I’m discontented with the church I’m at because I’m preaching to folk who look like me, and I’m not preparing for the place I’m going to,” Dixon said, referring to heaven. He has been pastor for 17 years of El-Bethel Church in Fort Washington, Md.

“God wants us to bring about a unified body not only in the United States but in the world. Racism — until we deal with that, the Kingdom of God is hindered,” Dixon said. “I’m looking at God to do some amazing things to get people together.”

The NAAF annual meeting and banquet also honored three stalwarts: Elgia “Jay” Wells, David Cornelius and Emmanuel McCall. Officers were elected and reports were heard from representatives of SBC entities and from Joseph Gaston, president of the National Fellowship of SBC Haitian Churches USA/Canada. Three of the nominees for SBC president also addressed the fellowship.

Wells, of LifeWay Christian Resources, received the Friend of Pastors award, established last year by NAAF to honor individuals who have had a longtime, significant impact on pastors.

“He influences all the work at LifeWay,” said Selma Richards, vice president of the leadership team at LifeWay. “For 21 years he’s shown great strength and great resolve. Jay led in the development of the new ‘You’ urban curriculum. We have run out in both of the last two issues, which tells us it’s being very well received.”

Virginia pastor Mark Croston presented the award to Wells.

“The well is deep,” Croston said. “Jay has a deep, quiet strength, deep creative thinking — deep with a committed life. He has a clear passion for educating and discipling people. He’s a well of fresh ideas,” Croston said.

Two other men were honored at the meeting: David Cornelius of the International Mission Board and Emmanuel McCall, who taught most of the African Americans who today are in leadership positions in the SBC, said NAAF President Michael Pigg, pastor of Philadelphia Church in Lithonia, Ga.
Cornelius has announced plans to “move into another area of ministry” after serving with the IMB for 21 years.

“Because of David Cornelius’ untiring efforts, there is a rising number of African American churches going on mission trips,” Pigg said. “We want to celebrate that. He’s been blowing the trumpet for missions.”

McCall, first African American to hold a national leadership role in the SBC, served for 23 years with the Home Mission Board, now the North American Mission Board. Today he is an adjunct professor at Mercer University and pastor of Fellowship Group Church in East Point, Ga.

New officers for two-year terms included Dixon as president; A.B. Vines as vice president; Mark Croston as treasurer; Bryon Day as secretary; K. Marshall Williams as parliamentarian; Robert Wilson as historian; Brian King as east region director; Roscoe Belton as central region director; and John Wells as west region director.

Vines is pastor of New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, Calif.; Croston is pastor of East End Church in Suffolk, Va.; Day is pastor of Emmanuel Church in Laurel, Md.; Williams is pastor of Nazarene Church in Philadelphia; Wilson is pastor of Sandtown Church in Atlanta; King is pastor of Ezekiel Church in Philadelphia; Belton is pastor of Middlebelt Church in Inkster, Mich.; and Wells is pastor of Mountain View Church in Temecula, Calif.

NAAF’s $4,665 budget is unchanged from last year, Croston said.

Three candidates for SBC president introduced themselves to NAAF: Jimmy Jackson of Alabama; Bryan Wright of Georgia and Ted Traylor of Florida. Wright was elected president the next day by messengers to the SBC annual meeting.

Karen L. Willoughby is managing editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message, an affiliate newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

By Byron Day, BCM/D President and Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Laurel, Md.

Byron Day

I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

Most people desire to live a good life. They want to enjoy life and try to do so by endeavoring to live life to its fullest.  Some believe material possessions will enable them to get the most out of life. Some believe by doing extreme things this will allow them to experience the best life has to offer.  Thus, most people spend their entire lives searching for life. The Apostle Paul, however, reminds Christians that a truly abundant, successful, and joyful life is achieved not by striving but by dying.

Note Paul’s attitude. He says, “I have been crucified with Christ.” Paul had made up in his mind that the life that the world pursues is not really life. This is a life apart from God and full of hopelessness. He considered himself dead to that life.  In other words, to Paul that type of thinking no longer existed, it died with Christ on Calvary.

Not only did Paul consider his old life as dead, but also he considered new life as allowing Jesus to live in him. Jesus now makes the decisions and sets the course. “It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me.”  How totally opposite of the present day philosophy, which tells us to seize control of our lives and chart our own course apart from God. Jesus has plans for us and desires to live in us that we may glorify our heavenly Father.

Paul goes on to point out that his remaining days on earth since his new birth are lived by faith in God rather than faith in himself.  He had determined within himself that he would live the rest of his days completely submitted to the will of God.

His motivation for allowing Jesus to reign in his life is found in the last phrase: “…who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Paul says he lives this way because Jesus sacrificed His own life for him on Calvary. Jesus died that Paul might live and this incomprehensible love stirs him to surrender his life to the Lord.

The completion of the 2010 SBC Annual Meeting has brought change to the Southern Baptist Convention. We have a new SBC president and the GCR Task Force Report has been adopted.

While change is good, we should consider that resurgence will not come simply from changing methods and strategies, but from confronting the people of God with the Savior’s love and challenging them to consider that love and sacrifice. The response to God’s love ought to be a life surrendered completely to the service of the Savior. The motivation for witnessing, giving, and serving is born out of a deep abiding love for Jesus and a life fully surrendered to Him.

Michael Pigg, right, current president of the National African American Fellowship (NAAF) of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., introduces James Dixon, left, president-elect of the NAAF, during the annual banquet June 14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Kent Harville.

By Karen L. Willoughby

ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)–Racial reconciliation is his agenda, James Dixon, incoming president of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, said at the group’s gathering June 14 in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Fla.

“I’m discontented with the church I’m at because I’m preaching to folk who look like me, and I’m not preparing for the place I’m going to,” Dixon said, referring to heaven. He has been pastor for 17 years of El Bethel Church in Fort Washington, Md.

“God wants us to bring about a unified body not only in the United States but in the world. Racism — until we deal with that, the Kingdom of God is hindered,” Dixon said. “I’m looking at God to do some amazing things to get people together.”

The NAAF annual meeting and banquet also honored three stalwarts: Elgia “Jay” Wells, David Cornelius and Emmanuel McCall. Officers were elected and reports were heard from representatives of SBC entities and from Joseph Gaston, president of the National Fellowship of SBC Haitian Churches USA/Canada. Three of the nominees for SBC president also addressed the fellowship.

Wells, of LifeWay Christian Resources, received the Friend of Pastors award, established last year by NAAF to honor individuals who have had a longtime, significant impact on pastors.

“He influences all the work at LifeWay,” said Selma Richards, vice president of the leadership team at LifeWay. “For 21 years he’s shown great strength and great resolve. Jay led in the development of the new ‘You’ urban curriculum. We have run out in both of the last two issues, which tells us it’s being very well received.”

Virginia pastor Mark Croston presented the award to Wells.

“The well is deep,” Croston said. “Jay has a deep, quiet strength, deep creative thinking — deep with a committed life. He has a clear passion for educating and discipling people. He’s a well of fresh ideas,” Croston said.

Two other men were honored at the meeting: David Cornelius of the International Mission Board and Emmanuel McCall, who taught most of the African Americans who today are in leadership positions in the SBC, said NAAF President Michael Pigg, pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga.

Cornelius has announced plans to “move into another area of ministry” after serving with the IMB for 21 years.

“Because of David Cornelius’ untiring efforts, there is a rising number of African American churches going on mission trips,” Pigg said. “We want to celebrate that. He’s been blowing the trumpet for missions.”

McCall, first African American to hold a national leadership role in the SBC, served for 23 years with the Home Mission Board, now the North American Mission Board. Today he is an adjunct professor at Mercer University and pastor of Fellowship Group Baptist Church in East Point, Ga.

New officers for two-year terms included Dixon as president; A.B. Vines as vice president; Mark Croston as treasurer; Bryon Day as secretary; K. Marshall Williams as parliamentarian; Robert Wilson as historian; Brian King as east region director; Roscoe Belton as central region director; and John Wells as west region director.

Vines is pastor of New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, Calif.; Croston is pastor of East End Church in Suffolk, Va.; Day is pastor of Emmanuel Church in Laurel, Md.; Williams is pastor of Nazarene Church in Philadelphia; Wilson is pastor of Sandtown Church in Atlanta; King is pastor of Ezekiel Church in Philadelphia; Belton is pastor of Middlebelt Church in Inkster, Mich.; and Wells is pastor of Mountain View Church in Temecula, Calif.

NAAF’s $4,665 budget is unchanged from last year, Croston said.

Three candidates for SBC president introduced themselves to NAAF: Jimmy Jackson of Alabama; Bryan Wright of Georgia and Ted Traylor of Florida. Wright was elected president the next day by messengers to the SBC annual meeting.

Karen L. Willoughby is managing editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message, an affiliate newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

By Byron Day, BCM/D President and Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Laurel, MD

Byron Day

In recent years, we have seen an ever-increasing rise in lawsuits. We live in a day and age where people sue one another over the least little thing. Moreover, we are encouraged by the legal community to examine every aspect of our lives to determine if our present condition was caused by the negligence of someone else. Therefore, we are called to question if the doctor did something during that surgery that causes us discomfort, if our dentist was negligent, or whether McDonald’s got the coffee too hot.

We hear of all types of lawsuits; disputes over inheritances, over free agency, over land, over patents and over songs. Perhaps the clearest indication of our society’s thirst for litigation is the number of televisions shows dedicated to displaying for us our inability to settle the most minor disputes.

We have people’s court, divorce court, and even animal court. We have Judge Hatchett, Judge Brown, Judge Judy and Judge Mathis. My casual observance of these shows has often revealed that the dispute is minor in nature and that they usually involve family members, mothers against sons, fathers against daughters, brothers against sisters.

This reminds me of the situation in the church at Corinth. The members of that church had trouble settling disputes among themselves (1 Cor. 6:1-11).

This text poses a question that our churches must ask today. What do we do when disputes arise in the family of God?

The upcoming convention in Orlando will give voice to a dispute among Southern Baptists, a dispute not about whether the great commission should be the central focus of all Southern Baptists but about how we go about fulfilling the great commission. Simply stated we are at odds over the best allocation of resources that will provide the best opportunity of fulfilling the Great Commission. I am hopeful that we will not allow this minor dispute to hinder us from working together. I am prayerful that we will recognize the strategy of the enemy of divide and conquer and continue cooperating together for the building up of the kingdom of God. The Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) vote in Orlando will not affect my church’s Cooperative Program giving; we will continue to support the Cooperative Program. Our level of giving will remain the same and our goal of increasing Cooperative Program giving will continue regardless of the outcome in Orlando.

My concern for Maryland/Delaware Baptist churches is that some might abandon cooperation if things do not go in their favor. The convention in June will provide plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate, but at the end of the day we must all determine not to let this issue divide us and to accept the outcome as the will of God (Prov. 16:33).

This is not a doctrinal issue and therefore does not warrant separation. I hope that we will consider the words of Jesus, “by this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35.

Perhaps now more than ever the church should be “endeavoring (be diligent) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (and to remember) there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in all” Eph. 4:3-6 [italics mine].

By Byron Day, BCM/D President and Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Laurel, Md.

Byron Day

When we leave this world, we ought to leave a mark. Something for which we will be remembered, admired, or recognized by those family, friends, or those who crossed our path in life. In days gone by, young people would carve their name in the desk to let you know that they had spent an entire school year in that desk. It was not unusual to discover ”Clarence was here” or ”Denise was here” scrawled somewhere on the desk. This was a way of leaving your mark or to some extent obtaining some glory. This reminds me that as followers of Jesus we ought to leave a mark, make some kind of impression that allows others to know that we were here and hopefully made a difference for the kingdom of God.

In the month of May, we celebrate Mother’s Day and that reminds me of a mother that is noted in scripture but is seldom mentioned. Jochebed, the mother of Moses, is mentioned by name in Exodus 6:20. I am always fascinated when God takes the time to mention someone by name in His Word. Most probably do not give her much thought, but I think that there are a few things worth noting from Exodus 2:1-10. I would like to suggest that a mother’s glory can be found in her faith, her faithfulness and her fame.

Jochebed’s faith is demonstrated in the midst of adversity in the promise of God. At a time when Pharaoh has issued an edict that all Hebrew males born are to be killed, this mother dared to hold onto the promise of God and hide Moses for three months (Ex. 1:22; 2:1-2). She also showed faith in the present circumstances with an awareness of the presence of God by recognizing God’s favor upon the child and hiding him despite the potential danger to her own life (Ex. 2:2). Moreover, she showed faith in the future of the child and power of God by placing him in an ark and believing in God’s power to keep and deliver her son (Ex. 2:3-6).

Jochebed’s glory is also exemplified by her faithfulness. Hebrew women had a difficult life. They were considered nothing more than a possession and not much more value than a slave. Their primary duty was to bear children, to serve the clan or family and act as household manager. Jewish women were teachers of the children who were weaned within 1 to 3 years and taught history, manners and religion from ages 3-6 years old. No doubt, this woman was able to perform this duty in the life of Moses (Ex. 2:7-10). Finally, the mother of Moses left her mark and her fame as revealed in Hebrews 11:23-27. No, her name is not mentioned, but her character, her faith and faithfulness is displayed in the testimony of a son who perhaps was one of God’s greatest servants. This is her mark, this is what she left behind, and this is a mother’s glory.

About a month ago, I lost my mother who is now with the Lord. Her name is not in the Bible, she is not famous, and she barely graduated high school. However, the faith, faithfulness, character and love of Dorothy Day hopefully will always be exemplified in her son.

By Byron Day, BCM/D President and Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Laurel, MD

Byron Day, BCM/D President and Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Laurel, Md.

The Southern Baptist Convention 2010 in Orlando Florida promises to be one of the most important meetings in recent Southern Baptist History. The progress report of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force has certainly generated great discussion and at the very least will cause some concern.

The report was delivered to the SBC Executive Committee on Feb. 22, 2010 by Task Force chairman Ronnie W. Floyd. Floyd and all of the Task Force members are to be commended for their prayerful and diligent work. The Task Force has responded well to its charge to bring a report and any recommendations to the Southern Baptist convention meeting in Orlando, Fla., June 15-16, 2010, concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission.

The report states that Southern Baptists need a new and compelling vision for the future and that this new vision put forth by the Task Force be accepted and endorsed this June by the convention. I have read the report and I am concerned that the recommended changes may prove to be a pill that is too large to swallow at once. In my opinion the overall tone of the report suggest that the North American Mission Board is lacking in performance and appears to be somewhat of a mild rebuke. The report asks Southern Baptists to embrace a new vision stated in six components some of which would have direct impact on our state convention.

The second component is one that would have the most direct impact on our convention. The recommendation by the GCR Task Force is that Southern Baptists charge the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to renegotiate its cooperative agreements and budgets with the goal of eliminating these agreements within four years. In my opinion, this second component implies that State Conventions have not done a good job managing resources and that national oversight is now required. Moreover, in order to ensure accountability, only projects approved by NAMB would be funded. This would mean that projects deemed necessary by the churches in our convention that support the cooperative program would not be able to have access to funds that would enable us to do great commission work without NAMB’s approval. I cannot speak for other conventions, but I believe the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware does an excellent job managing all of its resources.

Another component that caught my attention is component number four which calls for State Conventions to reassume their primary role in the promotion of the Cooperative Program and stewardship education. I was unaware that this was the primary role of State Conventions.

One of the most difficult things to do is to get Baptists to agree. The GCR Task Force Report in its present state, in my opinion, is a pill to big to swallow. While I can embrace most of the report’s recommendations, I hope that the Task Force will reconsider and modify those components concerning the role of the State Conventions in this proposed new vision of missional strategy.