This week we welcome the Southern Baptist Convention to Louisiana and to New Orleans. This will be first meeting of the convention in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

What can we expect from this convention?

First, we are watching the changing of how the convention conducts business. For example, for the first time in my memory, there will be no night session of the convention (there will be evening sessions for the Pastor”s Conference). The convention is becoming more stream lined because the days of longer meetings (for anything) seem to be over. Technology has made us more efficient and more impatient.

The annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention is extremely well run. It ends and finishes on time and is done “decently and in order.”

Second, you can expect inspiring music and great sermons. President Bryant Wright will bring the President’s Address today (Tuesday) at 11:15. David Uth, pastor of FBC Orlando, Florida, will bring the Convention Sermon Wednesday at 11:40. Both are great preachers who are leading wonderful churches. David served among Louisiana Baptists for several years at FBC West Monroe and has preached for the folks of FBC Covington.

One of the highlights of each convention is the report of the mission agencies, the International Mission Board and the North America Mission Board. These reports will come at the end of each day.

Third, you can expect unexpected business. This is an unscripted convention though well moderated and conducted according to the constitution and by-laws of the SBC. Roberts Rules of Order will be cited often–that is a very good thing. It means that everyone will be treated fairly and kindly.

Something not unexpected will be the nomination by David Crosby, pastor of FBC New Orleans, of Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, to be elected President of the SBC. It will be an historic election of a great pastor and wonderful man.

Fourth, you can expect great fellowship. Like your local church, fellowship is one of the functions of the church that we do well. People will spend a great deal of time in the hallways and exhibition hall renewing old acquaintances and asking “where are you now?”

Finally, today is a big day for both Martha and me. Martha is First Vice President of the Minister’s Wives Luncheon, a huge banquet for over 1800 minister’s wives. I cannot imagine pulling that together, but I am sure it will go off without a hitch. Martha is the only local officer. She has had a big job and has been aided greatly by a host of volunteers from FBC Covington.

At 3:00 today I give the report of the Committee on Nominations of the SBC. We have Nominated 171 people from all over the country to serve our Lord through the SBC. Our committee, made up of 70 people from the 35 state conventions, has worked hard and given their best.

We have prayed for God’s guidance and hope the report is well received.

If you would like to read about the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans this week, please come back to www.waylonbailey.com. I write everyday and would love for you get my perspective on the proceedings. If you subscribe to waylonbailey.com, you will receive an email notification each time I post. Thank you for reading.