Having already expressed some concerns about what happened in Baltimore at the annual gathering of the Southern Baptist Convention, I’d like to share some thoughts on the things that struck me as right, good, and encouraging.  I am not offering these to try to offset my earlier critiques.  On the contrary, it struck me at various times during the week that, despite my own cynicism, I really am happy to belong to the family called Southern Baptists.  At numerous points I turned to my wife and said, “That’s just awesome.”  I thought I’d share some of the reasons why I felt that way.

• The music and the worship was strong and God-honoring and inspirational.  All of the different kinds of music were strong:  from big names to unknowns.  Beautiful!

• Having Naghmeh Abedini there to represent her husband, jailed Iranian pastor Saeed Abedini, was particularly moving and really put a face on the persecuted Church.

• Having the pastor of the Canadian church plant, La Chapelle, as well as a young musician who had recently come to Christ present was beautiful and was a poignant reminder that almost-completely-unchurched regions cannot stop the advance of the gospel.

• Russell Moore’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission report was strong, passionate, and very encouraging.

• Hearing the story of the two churches that merged, and having Ray on the stage, an elderly man in the original church that was declining, was sweet and showed me that we never have to lose our passion for Christ or our willingness to change.

• Seeing old friends and making new ones reminded me of the sweet ties that bind us together in the Southern Baptist Convention.

• Being a large body in which people are free to speak their minds – no matter how odd-sounding at times – is a blessing.  The Free Church tradition, with all of its quirks, is a wonderful tradition to which to belong.

• Seeing committed stands on biblical authority and orthodoxy and seeing an absence of wrangling over the core theological tenets of our faith is a fresh reminder that whatever weaknesses we might have, a lack of solidarity around the gospel is not one of them.

• Seeing Southern Baptists given the opportunity to ask questions of denominational leaders is critical, and this was in evidence in Baltimore.  Whatever controversies may be currently discussed in the Convention, it is a strength that nobody is beyond open questioning.  This kind of transparency must be safeguarded.

• Seeing the presence of various and diverse subgroups presented in the exhibit hall, even around sometimes conflicting secondary and tertiary theological issues, is a strength and shows that there is room in the Southern Baptist Convention on issues deemed adiaphoric.

• There appeared to be a larger number of young people at this year’s Convention.  At least my wife felt this way.  I think I agree.  This is hopeful and encouraging.

• There were some tremendous sermons delivered at the Convention this year and some genuine passion for the salvation of lost people exhibited.

• My wife, Roni, points out that Fred Luter did a wonderful job in his final year as President.  I agree 100%!

• Roni also points to the increasing ethnic diversity present in the Convention.

Yes, there are many things that went right in Baltimore.  We are very glad we went!