What brings us all together

I spent the first two days of this week at the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Some of it was really good, especially Scott Thompson's sermon; while some of it was less than excellent. I have to admit that I tire of the business and the promotion of all the LBC programming. On the other hand, I realize that some of that was necessary. What bothers me the most is the sense of self-promotion and political positioning.

I left asking myself the question, what really holds us all together as a convention? Most Southern Baptists would say the cooperative program and missions are the glue that binds the LBC and the SBC together. I understand what they mean, but there is something more. What binds a group of diverse Churches and pastors like the LBC together is love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mission, evangelism, and the Cooperative program all grow out of our love for and devotion to our Lord.

I hope, for the sake of our convention, that we don't lose our foundation. I pray that we are not so caught up in the elections and budgets that we forget the Gospel.