I would love to be a weatherman in Phoenix.  How many different ways can you say…”Today, we will have a high of 105 degrees with no humidity and no chance of rain?”  That was the forecast every day of the Southern Baptist Convention’s stay.  Everyone kept reminding me, “but it is a dry heat.”  (That is true.. and it does make a difference.)

Typically Southern Baptists generate heat when they come to a city.  Our denominational convention has often been riddled with controversy and heated debates.  News media seem to revel in perceived division and love to report when we struggle to find consensus.  Several people have approached me upon our return to say, “I didn’t see anything in the news about our convention.”  This is a God thing!

Let me share with you some convention highlights:

• Pastor’s Conference President, Lance Pitman (a church planter from Las Vegas) gathered a stellar group of speakers.  The theme was “Aspire” and the overall message was to promote church planting.
• Glenda and I heard inspiring messages from Gregg Matte, Louie Giglio, and Rick Warren.
• Send America luncheon sponsored by NAMB with speakers Ed Stetzer, Kevin Ezel, and Rick Warren.
• President Bryant Wright was re-elected.
• My good friend Fred Luter was elected 1st Vice President.  Dr. Luter was the first African-American to preach the convention sermon (2001) and may be the first African-American president of our convention next year when his city, New Orleans, hosts the meeting.
• David Platt, 32 year old pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, delivered the most inspiring convention sermon I have ever heard in my 27 years of attending the convention. (Hear it at sbcannualmeeting.net)

A spirit of unity and purpose permeated the meeting and less than 5,000 registered messengers (the lowest attendance since 1944) may have been due to the distant location or the lack of controversial issues.  However, for those in attendance, it was a real blessing.

Bro. Mark