Randy Davis
Summit, the gathering of Tennessee Baptists, is just five weeks away!
I love this time of gathering with friends from across the state, and I’d love to see you there. Here are five reasons why you should come.
Tennessee Homecoming. Unbelievably, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sunday night Tennessee Homecoming, which was added to Summit activities in 2016. It has proven to be a wonderful time of worship and fellowship to kick off our time together.
This year, Dan Spencer, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, will be preaching. Dan is a West Tennessee native and the great-nephew of M.E. Dodd, considered the father of the Cooperative Program. It all seems full circle given that this is the 100th anniversary of CP, which was launched in West Tennessee. An interesting tidbit: Dan will preach from behind the pulpit Dodd used for 40 years while at FBC Shreveport.
We will also present the Eagle Award that night to a layperson who has made a Great Commission impact with their life.
The Venue. West Jackson Baptist Church holds special memories for me as it has hosted several Tennessee Baptist Conventions through the years. We greatly appreciate Pastor Adam Neely, Business Administrator Russ Cooper, the staff and members of WJBC for rolling out the “red carpet” for Tennessee Baptists. By the way, it is new carpet they are rolling out. They will have just remodeled their sanctuary.
A Time to Celebrate! It is another milestone year. I mentioned the launch of the Cooperative Program in 1925 when the Southern Baptist Convention gathered in Memphis.
The Baptist Faith and Message was also adopted then as a confessional faith statement. And it was 100 years ago that Tennessee Baptists began university campus ministries now called Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM).
These three milestone moments launched 100 years ago have significantly shaped who we are and how we have focused on missions and ministry through these years. And by God’s grace ,will continue shaping who we are as Tennessee Baptists for decades to come.
The Business of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Our gathering, after all, is centered around the business you will conduct as messengers appointed by your churches. Frankly, this is reason enough to come and represent your local congregation, and have a vote in the direction of the TBC. You will begin with your consideration of the Cooperative Program allocation budget, which will be presented at $35 million.
There are other important items of business that need your attention. For instance, for the first time, you will be electing not only a president and a vice president, but three regional vice presidents who will represent each of Tennessee’s grand regions.
During my 15-year tenure as TBMB executive director, what I have been most proud of is the way messengers have conducted our business. It has always been orderly and respectful. We leave feeling we have honored the Lord in the way in which we have behaved.
Powerful Preaching. The Monday pastor’s conference has an incredible lineup, and we’ll also hear from TBC president Jay Hardwick, SBC Executive Committee president Jeff Iorg, and the TBMB’s Danny Sinquefield. I’m looking forward to hearing each of the men preaching that week. They are all spirit-filled preachers with pastors’ hearts.
Summit is a time to celebrate what God has done through Tennessee Baptists over the past year, previous generations and what He will do through our children and grandchildren in the days ahead. Don’t miss it!
It is a joy to be with you on this journey, all the way to Jackson. B&R
