Last week, Great Commission Baptists met in Dallas, Texas, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This gathering included two days of business preceded by a one-day pastors conference. Just over ten thousand messengers from churches across America met for encouragement, updates on our cooperative mission efforts, and decision-making related to the convention.
Encouragement from sister churches was a highlight of the gathering. The opportunity to reconnect with friends and ministry associates serving around the country and to hear updates on each other’s lives was positive. A host of meals and ancillary gatherings promoted these conversations (NAMB lunch, Baptist 21 lunch, IMB dinner, 9Marks at 9, the Pillar fellowship, and Georgia Baptist dessert fellowship—to name a few).
Our mission boards and seminaries updated the convention on their accomplishments for the year. Tuesday morning, the convention commissioned the latest class of fifty-eight international workers to serve around the world through the International Mission Board. The IMB reported over 3,500 workers worldwide and 1,600 in the sending pipeline, considering future deployment. The North American Mission Board reported that at the current rate of planting, by 2030, one-third of SBC churches will have started since 2010. The six seminaries report strong student enrollment and a host of educational initiatives. Seminaries are collaborating with churches to train more pastors through a variety of online and traditional on-campus avenues, aiming to combat the growing shortage of pastors serving churches.
The convention made several noteworthy decisions. First, the Sanchez amendment (formerly the Law amendment) was defeated by a margin of 60% to 40%, falling short of the required 66% approval to pass. This amendment was the second effort in as many years to change the SBC constitution to define cooperating churches as those that only allow qualified men as pastors. The convention’s doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, already lists this requirement so that a constitutional change would have been a supplemental effort. I voted for it and was surprised that the Sanchez amendment did not pass; yet, I am encouraged that the doctrinal statement is clear.
Second, in a 60-40 vote, the convention again voted to affirm and not end the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. This motion has been brought to the floor for several consecutive conventions. The motive to end the commission is gaining traction, in my estimation. I voted in favor of ending the commission this year, knowing a second vote would come next year and allow the trustees time to convince the SBC of the commission's merit. No doubt, there are many good things that the ERLC does. Yet, I am not convinced that it can speak to the public sector on political issues as "the voice" of the SBC.
Third, in accepting the SBC annual cooperative program budget, the convention approved a special, one-time allocation of three million dollars for legal expenses to defend against three lawsuits against the Executive Committee related to sexual abuse cases by a large majority. (Former SBC President Johnny Hunt brought one of these suits after the 2022 sexual abuse report named him.) Leading up to the convention, some voiced concern about the convention using Cooperative Program funds for legal costs. Legal costs, however, are an inherent part of doing business for all convention entities that operate as large corporations in a modern, litigious society. While all should desire to see legal costs minimized, the convention must defend itself against these suits. One can appreciate the Executive Committee’s transparency about such costs.
I doubt history will look back on the 2025 convention as one of the most momentous, but it was another year of sister churches assembling to encourage Great Commission faithfulness. It was a joy and privilege to represent Crestview. By the way, next year's convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, from June 7 to 10, 2026. If any members are interested in attending as messengers, please let me know.
For His Glory,
Pastor Thomas