Randy Davis
Are you ready to serve if you get the call?
Frank Reich was. And he delivered.
Reich was the backup quarterback for the 1993 Buffalo Bills. The Bills were a perennial NFL powerhouse in the 1990s and were a favorite to return to the Super Bowl. However, those possibilities greatly diminished when All-Pro quarterback Jim Kelly went down with a knee injury heading into the playoffs. All eyes turned to Reich, who was the next man up and called upon to lead the team against the Houston Oilers and their superstar quarterback, Warren Moon.
The game’s opening quarter indicated it would be close, with Houston taking a 7-3 lead, but in the second quarter, the Oilers exploded for 21 points and took a 28-3 halftime lead. They added another touchdown to begin the second half, extending the lead to 35-3. Bills fans streamed from their seats and left the stadium.
But then the backup took over. Reich led Buffalo to 35 unanswered points, giving the Bills their first lead, and they eventually won the game 41-38 in overtime. It was the largest comeback in NFL history, all orchestrated by someone coming off the bench.
Tennessee Baptists are in a similar position as the Buffalo Bills. While we haven’t lost our starting quarterbacks — those who have faithfully served on TBC and TBMB boards and committees through the years — we do need people “coming off the bench” and getting in the game.
It takes a few hundred Tennessee Baptists to fill these positions on boards and committees. You may think that is an incredibly large number, but when you consider the need for people serving on boards such as Union and Carson-Newman universities, Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes, Tennessee Baptist Foundation, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and others, then include the committees that serve the TBC, and you can understand how great the need becomes.
We are constantly in need of fully devoted followers of Christ who understand Baptist mission, polity, process and the why and how of our cooperative Great Commission endeavors. And those willing to learn.
Many who say yes to serving may start with a minimal level of understanding, and through orientation, involvement and serving with experienced members, they develop a deep appreciation for the diverse ministries of Tennessee Baptists and an understanding of how the financial resources churches invest in missions and ministry are used to reap a kingdom return.
Another important aspect of serving is leadership development. Our mission statement as Tennessee Baptists, and as a mission board, is to multiply gospel leaders who advance God’s kingdom.
Serving through boards and committees is a leadership development opportunity for pastors, ministers and laypeople. The convention and its ministries belong to you, Tennessee Baptists, so we need you to lead. Leadership begins with participation.
Messengers to last year’s annual meeting took the very practical step to expand the leadership base at the top of the convention by creating three regional convention vice president opportunities who will serve each of Tennessee’s grand regions. Messengers will still elect a president and a vice president as they’ve always done.
Some people may not realize that one does not have to be a minister to serve. We desperately need people from all vocations to bring a diversity of perspectives that will strengthen what we do as Tennessee Baptists. If you are interested in serving or know of someone who would be open to serving, please visit tnbaptist.org/boards-committees to get involved.
It has been said that everything rises and falls on leadership, and we have untold thousands of potential leaders in our churches. I’ve met a good number of you through the years. This column is my ask. I’m extending the call. Are you ready to serve?
Now it’s time to get in the game!
It’s a joy to be with you on this journey. B&R
