"The Gavel Is Passed"

Randy Spurgeon and I will be leaving for Martinsburg, WV about noon tomorrow for the annual meeting of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists. (see www.wvcsb.org) I always enjoy the state meeting but this one will be special. A new President will be elected in the afternoon session on Friday My two terms in that office will end at noon on Saturday when I pass the gavel to the new prez.

I had only been in this state convention for three years (after coming over from Kentucky) and certainly was not seeking the office. In fact I was embarrassed to be nominated against the sitting 1st Vice President. Officers normally "move through the chairs" (ex. 2nd VP, 1st VP) before being elected President. I had not served in any of those positions and, as a result, did not feel especially qualified. One of my own Church members, Terry Perdue, placed my name in nomination even though I asked him not to do so. When the vote tally was reported I was shocked to have won by a fairly substantial margin. Ron McCoy, the other nominee ,was most gracious even though I am sure he was as surprised by the results as I was.

I have been blessed to serve in that position for the past two years. What major things have I accomplished in office? Really not much at all. In fact there is really not much a state convention president can do. Upon taking office two years ago, I wrote to each of the ten Associational Directors of Missions to offer my assistance in whatever way needed. Most of them were responsive but there really wasn't much I could do for them. My simple goal was to help increase fellowship among the churches in the various associations, and to serve as a liaison (if needed) to the state office staff.

I tried to rally the troops in the four counties this past summer that faced local option elections regarding casino gambling. Jefferson county voters defeated the measure, and Kanawha County came close, but the measure passed there along with Ohio and Marshall Counties. Of course, our local church pastors in those areas were all over it, I just tried to add my support to their efforts - for what that was worth. I did seek to promote cooperative program mission giving with all the churches and pastors with whom I came in contact, and I did share the needs of a Filipino church planter with whom I partner. As a result of that, 7 of our WV Southern Baptist Churches gave generously to purchase Bibles and materials (including a motorcycle) for two Filipino Pastors and their congregations. In fact, one church generously donated the money to build the new building of the Mayapusi Baptist congregation in the remote mountains of Negros Island in the Philippines. It was my joy to be in attendance at the Dedication Service of that building in January.

The primary responsibility of the office is to preside at the annual meeting and the four regular meetings of the state Executive Board (and any special called sessions). When the Executive Board meets and breaks out into it's various committees, the state convention president serves as chairman of the Administrative Committee. That is pretty much it. I don't have a lot of major accomplishments to point out, but I have learned much in the past two years.

I have learned that we have a dedicated state office staff, who love the Lord, and love the work of Southern Baptists in the Mountain State. I have learned that we have some of the finest pastors and local church leaders in the state of West Virginia as you will find anywhere. Our Baptist people in West Virginia are committed to being fishers of men until the nets are full.

Serving as State Convention President has had a couple of nice perks including an invitation to visit the SBC Executive Committee meeting in Nashville in February, and to have opportunity to meet and fellowship with the Presidents of the other state conventions. (Yes, we even elect a President of the President's fellowship!) The State Convention Presidents are also treated by LifeWay Christian Resources (formerly the Sunday School Board) to a nice breakfast in February; and by the International Mission Board to a breakfast at the SBC annual meeting. I'll miss that! They also let us have "VIP" housing privilege by allowing us to get a room at the SBC Convention Hotel. Otherwise, it's nearly impossible to get a room in that hotel since they are all blocked out by the convention for all the officials and employees of the various convention entities.

Other than that, I'll be happy to hand over the gavel to whomever succeeds me. I have considered it to be an honor to serve, and a privilege to serve with a fine group of fellow officers for the past two years. After presiding over this year's meeting, it's back to just enjoying going to the convention, enjoying the preaching, listening to reports, visiting the exhibits, and just hanging out with some great brothers and sisters in Christ.