Convention Theme: Encourage Pastors – “Encourage each other daily” (Heb 3:13)

The theme for this year’s SCBI convention is part of a three-year emphasis to remind us of our purpose which states,

“The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana exists to,

Exalt Jesus (2018), Encourage Pastors (2019) and to Equip Churches (2020).”

We are all influenced by books that we read. Other than the Bible which is the most influential for us all, we read a book now and then that really speaks to us and causes a change in our life in some way. Years ago I read a simple book that had a great influence on my daily life. It caused a change in how I deal with people. Some days I am better at it than others. The book is “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard. One of the pieces of advice that comes from that book is to “give people a one-minute praising.” Take the time “to catch people doing something right,” and tell them you appreciate them and what they did.

This is great advice for us today. Catch people doing something right and let them know you appreciate them and what they have done. This being Pastor Appreciation Month is a great time to begin this practice. AND it doesn’t have to be ONLY when you catch them doing something right. The point is to use your words to encourage each other. AND that means encourage everyone! We all need an “atta-boy.”

The Convention theme this year is taken from Hebrews 3:13, but look at verses 12-14, “watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you and evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sins deception. For we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.” I hope you will be encouraged today and that you will begin adopting this simple phrase as part of your daily life.

The Plan

This year’s convention is “Three Days of Spiritual Encouragement.” You have

  • Three opportunities to come and glean, grow and be inspired.
  • Three days to connect with other pastors around the state.
  • Three days to meet and make new friends.
  • Three days to network with like-minded people who share the same purpose, the same mission and who are part of the same Southern Baptist and State Convention family.

# 1 – The Pastors Conference, “Persevering in Shepherding” – This year’s pre-convention pastors conference promises to be a great time of “encouragement.” You will want to come and hear from pastor Brian Croft from Louisville as he shares about caring for the heart, soul and family as a pastor.

 

# 2 – The SCBI 61st Convention of Churches – This year is the 61st time that our State Convention has met to network, to be refreshed, to be inspired, to discover connections and to conduct our annual business that helps set the course for our convention for the next year. Our conventions “Order of Business” committee has put together an inspiring schedule that I believe will also inform you about some of the things that God is doing around our state. You will be challenged by some of our conventions best expository preachers in Convention President (Bobby Pell), Annual Sermon Preacher (Dr. John Newland) and Guidestone President (Dr. OS Hawkins).

You need to register today and let us know when you are coming so that we can make plans for meals on

  • Monday lunch during the Pastor’s Conference,
  • Monday evening dinner prior to the first plenary session of the convention,
  • Breakfast on Tuesday is being provided by the Southern Baptist Executive Committee and you will be able to hear from Sing Oldham (Vice President of Convention Relations) about the work of the Executive Committee and the larger Southern Baptist Convention.
  • Lunch on Tuesday before the E24 Conference (you need to register separately for this event, see the link below about E24)

https://www.scbi.org/events/annual-meetings/annual-convention-meeting

 

# 3 – E24 Conference – The Mile Markers 2025 Vision 2019 emphasis for SCBI is Revitalization and Evangelism. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity hear from some of the convention’s best voices as it relates to evangelism. Dinner will be catered by Squeelers and will be free to you.

 

I hope to see you on October 28, 29, 30 for these “Three Days of Spiritual Encouragement.”

Until Next Time,

Steve