First-Time Plenary Session Observer

SBC Today has obtained audio of Dr. Jerry Rankin’s report to the board. Click here to listen.)

There are many firsts in my life. I still remember the first sermon I preached, the first time I performed a Baptism, and the first Communion I led as a Pastor. Many times these “first times” help shape our outlook of an organization.

Will Rogers said; “Rumor travels faster, but it don’t stay put as long as Truth.” There has been rumor of the plenary session placed in the blog world, and I will not add to the rumor. I encourage you to listen to the audio of the president’s report instead of taking my word for it or anyone else’s. However, I desire to present to you my take on being in my first plenary session.

The Trustees

All of the trustees I had the opportunity to meet were very cordial and welcoming. The first trustee I saw when I arrived was Brother Winston Curtis. He welcomed me and guided me to the meeting room. Not only did he do that but he took me to lunch afterward. I took him to a real Bar-B-Q place. Of course it was not authentic NC Bar-B-Q, but he loved the sauce. That boy ate a rack of ribs that would choke a lion. :>) I was also able to meet again, a former classmate of mine at SEBTS. Dr. Thurman Hayes is serving as a trustee from Virginia. He led in the devotion after the break and did an excellent job. We reminisced some about our time together down the hall from each other in Johnson Dorm before the renovation. Boy, the stories I could tell you about the heat, or lack thereof, in that place. But I digress. I also was very graciously greeted by Dr. Robert Jackson. Brother Robert is a trustee from North Carolina and is Sr. Pastor of Peninsula Baptist Church in Mooresville. His church is the largest contributor to the Cooperative Program in North Carolina. I had a few enjoyable minutes to spend with him before the session began. I did observe Brother Wade Burleson emotively visiting with Dr. Floyd during the break. You can see what that conversation was about in his account. From the expressions I observed one could tell he was not a happy camper about something. I saw Dr. Jerry Corbaley from afar. I never did get a chance to meet him but I do look forward to the opportunity in the future.

All of the trustees I met were very helpful in giving me information. As I listened to the various regional reports, I noted resignations coming from all regions. I questioned the trustee sitting beside me, Dr. Paul Chitwood, and he informed me that it was not unusual for this list of resignations. Then he proceeded to inform me of the goals of the IMB. Their goal is to have 8,000 Missionaries on the field by 2010. Because of the attrition rate of 5% there needs to be 12,000 Missionaries appointed in order to achieve that goal. Brother Chitwood was very helpful and informative and he truly seemed to have a desire to give me accurate information as the session continued.

Dr. Rankin

I met Dr. Jerry Rankin when I first came into the meeting room. Brother Winston Curtis introduced us and Dr. Rankin was very cordial in our introduction. Dr. Rankin conducted himself very graciously during the entire session. He responded to questions with grace and humor. It speaks very well of a person that uses self-degradation to say, “I messed up.” His report was well received as well as his response to Dr. Jerry Corbaley’s affirmation. The audio does not contain the humor and graceful self-degradation that I referenced. When Dr. Corbaley affirmed Dr. Rankin for removing his endorsement of SBC Outpost, Dr. Rankin responded with words to this effect: “Brother Jerry, it is hard to admit sometimes that your words do not carry as much influence as you thought.”

Dr. Rankin began his report with a picture of the newest US Citizen in his family—his granddaughter. What a beautiful little girl. Dr. Rankin emphasized that Humanitarian ministry is not the heart of the mission of the IMB. He plainly defined missions as extending the kingdom through evangelism and church planting. I am with you on that Dr. Rankin. He noted that some issues keep resurfacing. One in particular is the Church Planting Movement. This issue I believe will be handled by Dr. Rankin and the IMB in a manner that glorifies God. Dr. Rankin noted that ½ of our Missionary Force is assigned to 10% of the world population. Certainly is a balance problem when that occurs. This, he noted is something the IMB is working to correct. The way it was described, it is a very tedious correction at the least. How do you assign a Missionary to Russia that believes God has given him/her a heart for Brazil? Dr. Rankin spoke about how the Regional Leaders have noted that God is the one that brings about the balance and they are beginning to see this unbalance correct itself.

What an inspiring and encouraging report.

The Future

I see the IMB heading down a great road to reach the world with the Gospel. Dr. Avery Willis informed the trustees that all other organization come to the IMB for strategy. Also, he informed us that all other mission organizations look to the IMB as the premier missions’ organization.

Another bright spot I see through the IMB on the horizon is the allocating of funds to enable small church pastors to involve their churches on short term mission trips. The Finance Committee recommended moving a significant amount of money into a fund that will be used to assist in Discovery Trips. These funds are to help pastors perform discovery trips in order to help lead their churches in missions. This is exciting!

It is a great day to be a Southern Baptist!