Sowing & Reaping: Previewing the Free Will Baptist National Convention
Between July 27 and 30, thousands of Free Will Baptists will converge on Forth Worth, Texas for their annual National Convention. This will mark the 78th time they have assembled for such an occasion. In many respects this meeting will be like previous meetings: reports will be given, elections held, resolutions brought forward, budgets passed, seminars provided, worship services conducted, and more. At the same time, this Convention will likely have its own unique feel—and potentially different outcomes. In this post, the Helwys Society will provide a brief overview of the Convention schedule of events, along with some “things to look for.”
General Reflections
As a Convention theme, “Principles of Sowing and Reaping” is by no means a throwaway phrase. A quick survey of seminars, sessions, and services reflect a level of intentional attention toward the subjects of outreach, fruitfulness, renewal, and more. This has perhaps been true in the past as well. However, it does appear to mark a deliberate move by denominational departments, Convention organizers, as well as an interest among pastors and laity in fruitfulness in a quickly-changing culture.
Seminars/Workshops
The National Youth Conference (“NYC”) always offers a number of seminars/workshops sponsored by Randall House. Among the speakers, three members of the Helwys Society are included this lot:
Phillip Morgan will answer the question, “Who Needs Church History?” (Monday, 9am).While this topic has been addressed on several occasions in previous Forum essays, Morgan’s presentation will be a fresh attempt to synthesize the important answers to this crucial question.
Monday afternoon (1pm) will feature seminars by two Forum contributors, Chris Talbot and Jackson Watts. Talbot will present “Partnering with Parents: How to Have a Heart for the Home,” while Watts will present “Technology and the Church: Navigating a Digital World.” The broader subjects of parenting/the home and technology will receive attention at several other times during the schedule of events.
Talbot will also present on Tuesday morning (10am) on “The Five Hardest Questions about Christianity,” especially as they emerge from the hearts and minds of today’s youth.
Other past Forum contributors will be presenting. Veteran pastor Frank Owens will share on “ministry in the middle” (Monday, 10am), a subject he has written on in recent months. Missionary Daniel Speer (Japan) will give a seminar on spiritual depression (Monday, 1pm). Daniel’s wife Katie will also be featured as one of the speakers at the WNAC events on Tuesday morning. Pastor/psychologist Eddie Moody will share a counseling toolkit for pastors/laymen (Monday, 11am), and also address parenting children to thrive in a “modern-day Babylon” (Tuesday, 2pm).
Other seminars and workshops will range from sermon and musical preparation, to developing vital small groups, to dealing with the disappointment and lack of perceived effectiveness in ministry.
Other Events
Each year, the Commission for Theological Integrity sponsors a lecture on a particular subject with theological implications for the church. This year, Arkansas Executive Secretary Tim Campbell will issue a call for a serious, more conscientious approach to the licensure and ordination of pastors (Monday, 2:00-3:30pm).
Missiologist Craig Van Gelder will give a seminar entitled “The Five Phases of Denominations with Implications for Today’s Church” (Monday, 10am; Tuesday 2pm). He will also be one of the participants in the ENGAGE (formerly fwb21) Panel Discussion on church revitalization on Monday evening at 9pm.
This Convention will also not be without its opportunities for Christian service. IMPACT Forth Worth will occur on the Saturday prior to the start of the Convention. Other opportunities for service and participation include singing in the mass choir.
Worship Services
Adult Services
This year’s services, like most years, largely feature veteran pastors within the movement:
Sunday School – Marcus Brewer (TX)
Sunday AM Worship – Danny Gasperson (NC)
Sunday PM Worship – Randy Corn (TN)
Monday PM Worship – Todd Smith (SC)
Tuesday PM Worship – Will Harmon (AR)
Wednesday PM Worship – Heath Ferguson (TX)
NYC
The NYC’s teen services also feature several respected speakers in this year’s program, which focus on the theme “authentic,” with a theme verse being Psalm 19:14. Speakers include:
Sunday AM – Dr. Neil Gilliland (TN)
Sunday PM Worship – Dr. Eddie Moody (NC)
Monday PM Worship – Mrs. Angie Outlaw (TN)
Tuesday PM Worship – Dr. Richard Ross (TX)
Other Things to Look For
Among the myriad of other events and activities, below are some other items we wish to make attendees aware of:
The Women Nationally Active for Christ will hold their meeting and activities mostly on Tuesday during the Convention. It is encouraging to see more being offered to specifically benefit our sisters in Christ and their ministries in the church and home, including a seminar for pastors’ wives on Wednesday morning (11am).
Veteran pastors Keith Woody and Howard Bass (both from Texas) will be sharing messages at the Preaching Conference on Tuesday morning in the main auditorium.
The Indiana State Association has submitted a resolution urging Randall House Publications to reconsider use of non-KJV translations in National Youth Conference competition, curriculum, and other publications.
The seven-member committee appointed at the 2013 Convention to explore the moral and legal ramifications of same-sex marriage will bring forth some specific recommendations to our denominational body. Not only pastors, but all local church delegates should be especially attentive to these, even if they don’t plan to attend the entirety of the business sessions.
Though space does not permit further summary here, readers are encouraged to view or download the materials available at www.nafwb.org for more information. We especially recommend the use of the 40-Day Prayer Guide available there. Perhaps there’s something in which you’re particularly interested. If so, we invite you to tell us about it in the comments.
God, grant us a Spirit-filled Convention together!
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