2011 Leadership Conference Confronts Cultural Challenges

December 5-6, 2011 | Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel
 

Nashville, TN—Free Will Baptist leaders from 21 states and two Canadian provinces gathered at Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel December 5-6, for the 2011 Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference. The annual event, which provides a meeting venue for denominational boards and agencies, is open to every Free Will Baptist minister and leader.

The two-day meeting features nightly worship services and practical instruction along with time for conversation and networking. “I get so much from Leadership Conference every year,” said Ohio Pastor Mark Price. “Not only do I enjoy the fellowship and encouragement, but the information I take away has a profound impact on my ministry. It’s especially beneficial for someone with Dr. Well’s experience to help pastors balance the relationship between culture and ministry.”

Photo: Todd Smith (SC) and Glen Johnson (VA) share a laugh together.

The 2011 conference theme, “Confronting the Culture Crisis,” brought attendees face to face with the challenges facing today’s church as it interacts with the world around it. Keynote speaker, Dr. David F. Wells spoke four times, urging attendees to avoid the trap of allowing 21st century culture—that is, the assumptions people make about the deep questions of life—to shape church and ministry. He encouraged listeners to strive instead to let the truth of the gospel communicate clearly, without apology.

Executive Secretary Keith Burden reflected on the impact of his messages. “Free Will Baptists took a significant step forward this week in confronting the cultural crisis in our churches. Dr. Wells helped us contextualize many of the issues we are facing, addressing them from a biblical perspective. May God give us courage and wisdom as we continue this important task.”

Photo: Keynote Speaker, Dr. David Wells

The author of the book, Courage to Be Protestant, Dr. Wells is distinguished senior research professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He received a B.D. from the University of London; Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D. from Manchester University (England); and was a post-doctoral Research Fellow at Yale Divinity School. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. The Cambridge Declaration came about in 1996 as a result of his book No Place for Truth, or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?

Nightly services featured music provided by Free Will Baptist Bible College, including performances by the College Choir and Rejoice quartet, both under the direction of Dr. James Stevens.

Photo: Free Will Baptist Bible College Choir

In addition to plenary sessions and worship services, denominational officers and board members handled a lengthy slate of business. The Nominating Committee of the National Association of Free Will Baptists met to make recommendations for board and commission vacancies to be filled at the 2012 convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Tim Campbell (AR) chairs the seven-person committee.  

Other national boards and committees met in conjunction with the conference, including the Executive Committee, Board of Retirement, Home Missions Board, International Missions Board, Free Will Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees, Board of the Free Will Baptist Foundation, Randall House Publications Board, and the Master’s Men Board.

The 2012 Leadership Conference will meet December 3-4, at the Nashville Marriott Airport Hotel.

Contact: Eric K. Thomsen | 877-767-7659 | eric@nafwb.org