Some suggestions for unity

I believe that our theology drives our philosophy of ministry. Unfortunately, I fear that many of our young leaders are not acquainted with the battles that some of our older leaders had to fight.

I have been fortunate enough to be around several of those individuals during my years of ministry. These relationships have helped me to really appreciate the blessings of conservative theology in our state and in our convention.

I am strongly conservative in my theology and after attending Southeastern for my master's degree and New Orleans for my doctorate, I believe that our seminaries are as strong theologically as they have ever been. What is unfortunate is that many of our young leaders fail to appreciate the contributions made by convention leaders and laymen from earlier generations.

I know that young leaders are being exposed to ministries and churches that are reaching large numbers of people, but 75 percent of all SBC churches average less than one hundred members.

Only three percent of SBC churches baptize more than 25 in any given year. The truth is people are kept with what they are won with and if they are won with Jesus they will be kept with Jesus. No one can worship or be discipled until he or she has a personal relationship with Jesus. Our older pastors know this because they have spent the time in the trenches knocking on doors and telling people the truth about their sin.

The postmodern culture we are serving is different from the culture some of our older leaders have experienced. However, what they can teach us about convention leadership is invaluable.

I would like to make a few suggestions:

First, every seminary student should be required to attend a state and annual meeting of the SBC while in seminary (talking with SBC leaders is a valuable experience.)

Second, every pastor - young and old - needs to have a mentor and needs to have someone he is mentoring - both need to learn from each other.

And third, associations are a great learning ground for young leaders. As they prove themselves faithfully and committed, the opportunities to serve at higher levels will come. However, young leaders need to demonstrate effective church leadership before they are entrusted with convention leadership.

I am thirty-three years old and have pastored two churches over the last nine years. I serve as a police chaplain, on two associational committees and one GBC committee. In my current pastorate we have baptized over 171 converts in the last five years.

We are preparing to construct a new sanctuary and fellowship area this year and will have sent out three mission teams (more than 60 people) to other states before this year is out. I want to encourage all of our young leaders to get so busy there will be little time to complain about the convention.

This information is not for bragging purposes or complaining purposes. It is just the opinion of one young pastor who does not have the time to worry about doing anything except that which Jesus has called me to do. Let us all remember that Jesus humbled himself, but God exalted Him.