I realize I haven’t written on here in a long time. I have honestly been very busy.
Just thought I would offer some thoughts related to the convention. I did not go this year. No it was not a protest, not mad at anyone or trying to make a statement. It was just too dadgum far away. The cost to attend would have been too much and the travel time horrendous. So that is the only reason I did not attend.
I realize some are strongly suggesting the lack of attendance at this year convention as a sign of a downfall of the TBC. Among my pastor friends everyone of them said the distance factor was the biggest reason for not going. Our church budget is tight this year as well for many others.
So distance and economy is the biggest reason for lack of attendance. I suspect similar numbers were at play in the 1930′s. But alas some still beat the dead horse of conspiracy and the supposed downfall of the TBC. Some claim low numbers at the TBC and lower giving levels is a sure fire sign that people are “pulling out of the TBC” and showing displeasure with the TBC.
For some that may be the case, but for most they would site economical reasons and time restraints. Admittedly our society has changed and attending conventions is not a priority for many.
Maybe it is high time to consider changing how we do convention. Many options are available:
Meet every other year. (American Baptist do this)
Meet in one central location only.
Have several satelite sites available.
Change format to modern times (whatever that means!)
There may be other ideas. Write me and let me know of other suggestions for making convention time better.
I think convention time is important. It gives all the the TBC churches a connectionality to each other and encouragement for the journey. We need each other and convention reminds us how we can do more together than alone.
In agreement with another blogger, I think the focus of TBC needs to change, to make it more church centered and not staff centered. Maybe it has become too top heavy. Trim the budget to meet church needs instead of staff needs. Yeah, some staff need to be available, but some may be duplicious.
Let’s keep the TBC, but remodel it or streamline it.
