Ronnie Floyd

Archive for the 'SBC Annual Meeting' Category

June 29th, 2016

Racial Unity in America

America, Join the Movement, Pastors, SBC Annual Meeting, Southern Baptist Convention

The Southern Baptist Convention hosted A National Conversation on Racial Unity in America on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. This was one of the most historic moments in Southern Baptist history since the largest Protestant denomination in the United States of America, the Southern Baptist Convention, had its origin in desiring to appoint slaveholders as missionaries.

In the 1995 Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, meeting on our 150^th anniversary as a convention, we adopted a strong resolution on racial reconciliation. In this resolution we confessed openly: “WHEREAS, Many of our Southern Baptist forbears[sic] defended the right to own slaves, and either participated in, supported, or acquiesced in the particularly inhumane nature of American slavery; and WHEREAS, In later years Southern Baptists failed, in many cases, to support, and in some cases opposed, legitimate initiatives to secure the civil rights of African-Americans.” THEN, we stated later in the resolution these repentant words: “That we apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime; and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously (Psalm 19:13) or unconsciously (Leviticus 4:27); and Be it further RESOLVED, That we ask forgiveness from our African-American brothers and sisters, acknowledging that our own healing is at stake; and Be it further RESOLVED, That we hereby commit ourselves to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry.” This was a bold statement of repentance by the Southern Baptist Convention.

Twenty-One Years Later

Now, twenty-one years later, we finally had an open conversation before the entire Southern Baptist Convention and America about the need for racial unity in America. It should not go unnoticed that this conversation occurred only twenty minutes from Ferguson, Missouri, where in August of 2014, the world became focused on the racial unrest and violence that erupted in this city. Additionally, this conversation occurred within a fifteen-minute walk of the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, where 159 years earlier the infamous court case of Dred Scott v Sandford resulted in the decision that as a black man, Dred Scott could not be recognized as a citizen of our nation and did not have the right to sue for his freedom.

I am not sure why it took twenty-one years for a conversation like this to occur within an annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, but I am rejoicing it happened. We need to push pause as Southern Baptists for a moment and understand the significance of this event historically and presently.

Our Busyness Oftentimes Diminishes Significance

Our convention offers many options for breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, a myriad of information in the exhibit hall, and even personal appointments and activities. Oftentimes, these can distract from the very convention we journeyed to attend. Racing from one event to another and from one session to another can unintentionally diminish significant moments.

While thousands of our messengers were in the hall when this racial unity conversation took place, we also know many may have missed it. Even for those who were present with us in the convention hall, this conversation on racial unity may have become diminished due to the barrage of activities and options that consumed your mind and schedule.

Take Time Now to Consider Your Life and Church

In this summer season, take time now to consider your own life and ministry relating to this national conversation on racial unity. Consider showing a segment of it or even the entire conversation to your church in some setting. Perhaps you were not at our 2016 Southern Baptist Convention. You can watch this conversation here:

One of the Greatest “For Such a Time as This” Moments

While serving the past two years as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, one of my greatest “for such a time as this” desires was to move us forward in racial unity.

I appeal to you as Southern Baptists, please do not lose this moment historically or presently. Know that this conversation took place publicly because it had already taken place among many of us privately. Furthermore, any advancements we made in this convention or will make in the future as a convention will one day point back to this significant moment where Southern Baptists dealt head-on with one of the most difficult conversations in American life today. We need to further this conversation on racial unity in every church in America, regardless of denominational affiliation.

I conclude today with the words I stated in my 2016 Presidential Address in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 14, 2016: It is with deep regret that I can do nothing about this stained past against our African American brothers and sisters; but with all I am and with all I can, I join you in creating a future together that binds up the nation’s wounds and always marches ahead knowing we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24)

Now is the Time to Lead,

Ronnie W. Floyd

Senior Pastor, Cross Church

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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.

To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.

Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd

Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

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June 24th, 2016

Not the Same Man I Was Two Years Ago

SBC Annual Meeting, Southern Baptist Convention

This past Sunday morning, I shared with our Cross Church Family, “I return as your pastor, but I am not the same man I was two years ago.” Unquestionably, my life and leadership has changed and grown while serving as President of the Southern Baptist Convention.

After traveling 200,000 miles in the air, many miles on the ground, experiencing too many moments to share in this space, and writing at least 116 unique articles about the work of Southern Baptists to the tune of 90,000 plus words, make no mistake about it, I have invested myself in our convention and believe in the work of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Before I Was Elected… Now, After I Have Served

Before I was elected, I wrote articles consistently about leadership, ministry, church, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Now after I have served two years as president, I will continue to do the same.

Obviously, I will not be writing as president, but I will be writing as a Southern Baptist pastor and leader who also happens to be the immediate past president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Congratulations to Steve Gaines

Last Wednesday afternoon, when the gavel came down upon the pulpit in St. Louis’ America’s Center, my SBC presidency concluded. The moment this occurred, Steve Gaines became the president of our convention. Steve and Donna have been personal friends of ours for years. I rejoice with this entrustment given to him by our Lord.

Beginning almost three years ago, even before I was elected, I felt God was beginning to raise Steve up for leadership in our convention. I had no idea what God was preparing to do, but I felt our convention needed his voice and heart in some way.

There is a time and a season for everything. In God’s timing and by God’s sovereign, divine will, Steve Gaines has been raised up for this time in our Southern Baptist Convention. He is not like me and I am not like him. Yet, we love one another and accept one another and the gifts God has given to each of us. I will be here to serve as his cheerleader and will be available to assist in whatever way he desires.

Here is what I know: Steve Gaines is a man of God. He will seek the Lord. He will work toward unity with intentionality. He will have my daily prayer support. He deserves your support in prayer and encouragement.

A Conference Call with Candidates and Prayer Together

On the Wednesday before the Southern Baptist Convention, I convened a forty-minute conference call with J.D. Greear, David Crosby, and Steve Gaines. I opened our call with prayer. After this initial prayer, I gave them a broad view of what I was seeing in our convention at this time. I encouraged them to be committed to leading in unity, as well as called upon each of them to help us address the present deplorable evangelism crisis in our convention. I was able to forward our Cooperative Program with them and again, forward the desperate need for unity as well as drive home our most urgent need for spiritual awakening.

I answered their questions and prayed for each of them specifically. I shared with them that whoever won, I would be there for them, praying for our new president. I told them I know what is like to lose and knowing that two of them would, it would not be easy, but God would see them through, verifying to them His plan for the future.

I closed in prayer for each of these men specifically. Each of these men asked to pray for me. We said good-bye and shared our commitment to one another and to the will of God. These three men are godly and spiritual leaders I love and appreciate. Unity is intentional.

The Resolutions Committee and The Confederate Flag

Chairman Stephen Rummage and the Resolutions Committee were bold in their commitment to address the resolution on the Confederate Flag. It was incumbent upon them to do so in some way, therefore, the issue was how to do it most effectively. They knew they needed to do so in a way that Southern Baptists would support it. The last thing any of us wanted was to see this resolution be rejected by the messengers.

Some said the resolution was weak, however, I disagree completely. The Resolutions Committee did what they needed to do initially: Find a way for Southern Baptists to take a step forward in this discussion.

I firmly believe that if the Resolutions Committee had initially brought this resolution in its adopted as amended status from the committee to the messengers, it would have failed. This would have been both divisive and disastrous. While what occurred in its amendment was not surprising to me personally, it could not have been scripted any better.

When the messenger brought the amendment, it was interesting to see the response of Chairman Rummage when he was asked to speak to the amendment. In his discerning and wise leadership, he did not speak for or against it, giving it back to the messengers, which is right where this decision needed to be.

Therefore, the messengers embraced the amendment wholeheartedly, and did exactly what the convention needed to do. They not only adopted the amendment, but the resolution as amended. It was adopted by no less than ninety percent of the messengers.

This was highly celebrated, for it comes in the moments following the incredible steps Southern Baptists have been making in racial unity. Following the Presidential Address, where I spoke to the issue of racial unity for at least five minutes and our racial unity panel, I believed the messengers would rise in support.

The significance of the Racial Unity Panel in our convention is just as historic as our convention speaking out concerning the Confederate flag. This fifty-five-minute conversation on racial unity was absolutely dynamic and needs to be seen nationally from churches to colleges to seminaries to all kinds of settings. Southern Baptists have moved from the back of the pack to the front of the line in working toward racial unity in our nation.

As I stated in my Presidential Address regarding the racial crisis in America, “It is with deep regret that I can do nothing about this stained past against our African American brothers and sisters; but with all I am and with all I can, I join you in creating a future together that binds up the nation’s wounds and always marches ahead knowing we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24)

More Reflections to Come Soon on Our #SBC 16

In the next couple of weeks, I will be reflecting more on our #SBC16. Until then…

Now is the Time to Lead,

Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church