After a long and wet drive home yesterday- and a long eventful day in the office and in a hospital visit I have some time to offer some observations on the NWBC Annual Meeting.
First- Tuesday evening the Order of Business Committee had wanted to create a service where those attending would be able to prayerfully think and reflect on the past- celebrating our victories and confessing our failures. A number of names had been suggested to speak to us that evening. Circumstances were such that we truly believed the best person to lead us in this process was one of our own. We asked the President of the NWBC to speak to us, and we enlisted two amazing worship leaders to work with him. The service was- indescribable. The atmosphere was worshipful, the music was offered in a heartfelt way, the songs were matched to the mood of the evening and the message was exactly what we needed to hear. In a word- indescribable.
Wednesday afternoon was the time set aside for the discussion of the proposal for restructuring. The conversation was handled superbly by our President. The questions and objections were answered with moderation and wisdom by Dr. Crews and Ron Bryant, the parliamentarian. It was the best example of a Baptist business meeting I've ever participated in. There are still unanswered questions, but that is the nature of change. If we knew all the answers- well, that's never going to happen.
A great meeting, wonderful to see old friends (yes, I am old and so are some of them!)
Change is never easy- nor is it much fun, but it is a reality.
One other thought- since Tuesday night I've been carrying a broken piece of pottery- to remind me of two things- the people God has called us to serve are broken; and secondly, as Keith so able said, it takes broken people to reach those who are broken!
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Steve:
It was good to see you and renew acquaintance after such a long time away. Yes, you are getting old...It was good to find your blog, by the way.
I think one of the best ways I can describe Dr. Crews' handling of the discussion last week is "grandfatherly." You know what I mean--the caring, firm, measured, and humorous dispensing of wisdom. I truly appricate the man.
It remains to be seen what the result will be. I think that, after such a long discussion, Dr. Crews should have already named the Team Leads for the Regions. I believe that should have been done by yesterday (11/17). Too many people are wondering about their futures to let this continue to drag on. For this to work by next July, people need to be given the opportunity to adjust their thinking to new tasks an callings.
Whether this will work or not, God knows. All we can do is pray and work to give it a chance. You're right. We have to do something...
Blessings!
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