Diane and I are now back from the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and I've been reflecting on the week's events. While I always enjoy the actual "convention" part of the convention, I must say that the highlight of this year's trip was the outstanding 2009 Pastors Conference.
Dr. Ed Litton -- who, it turns out, is from my hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee, and actually attended the same church where I served on staff -- was the President of this year's conference, and he put together a program of some of the most inspiring preachers and speakers that I've ever heard. Ed is Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church North Mobile in Alabama, and is one of the most humble pastors I've been privileged to meet. His spirit is genuine and his love for the Lord is obvious. Indeed, he was led of the Holy Spirit to put together an awesome program!
Dr.Tom Elliff captured the attention of the entire meeting hall with his tremendous message on forgiveness and painted us all a real-life portrait of what real forgiveness looks like. In all of my years as a pastor, I have never witnessed such a powerful presentation on the subject! When his 93-year-old father came to the platform to pray, my eyes were filled with tears (as were the eyes of most people in the room).
And, thank God for the message from Michael Catt! The Senior Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA (producers of the great movies, "Fireproof" and "Facing The Giants") cautioned the younger pastors and church planters not to forget the heroes of our generation (men like Manley Beasley, Ron Dunn, Vance Havner and others) who stood in the gap and preached uncompromisingly the whole counsel of God. He declared -- and I concur wholeheartedly -- that we can "engage the culture" without all the salacious, world-copying advertising gimmickery used by so many of the "emergent" churches of today.
At times throughout the conference, clips of men like Dr. W.A. Criswell were shown on the big screens, bringing back fond memories to this pastor's heart.
It was one of the most enjoyable Pastors Conferences I've attended in a long, long time from this ... "Pastor's Perspective."
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