Greensboro, Day 1!

June 12th, 2006 | Posted in » Baptist Issues, My Life / Family

Well, it’s just after 7:00 here in Greensboro, and Micah and I are back at the hotel now, taking a bit of a break prior to the younger leaders meeting tonight. It’s been an absolutely awesome day so far (in spite of starting the day getting soaked… we’ve been caught in the rain both days so far!), but I think the capstone is yet to come.

Here’s a few highlights:

– We started the day at the Greensboro Coliseum, checked in as messengers for Missouri Valley Baptist Church, and checked out the displays in the exhibition area. I had the opportunity to meet a bunch of folks Micah knows from his seminary and missionary days… all wonderful folks.

– We moved on to the Pastor’s Conference, and ran into a bunch of our fellow bloggers. We all went out to lunch and had a great time! Kevin Bussey, Wes Kenney, Alan Cross, Dorcas Hawker, Wade Burleson, Marty Duren, Bowden McElroy, Ben Cole, David Phillips, C.B. Scott… as Kevin put it, it was like a big class reunion, except we’d never met before face-to-face.

– Micah and I recorded our first interview for sbcvideos.info. Wade Burleson was kind enough to sit down with us and discuss a few things that are of interest to everyone… what his hope for the future of the SBC looks like, what his opinion of blogging and the SBC was… how those of differing theological differences can cooperate… issues related to the whole controversy surrounding him at the IMB (what would he say in response to those who believe this is more about him than anything)… and expectations for younger leaders and convention life. I must say, I’m MORE than pleased at how this interview turned out. We’ve got ten minutes of Q&A with him on the site, so check it out! Footage like this is not available anywhere else!

– We attended a short portion of the contemporary worship service. Man… great stuff! I think there is video online from the SBC annual meeting website.

– We also checked out the SBC Executive Committee meeting. Some interesting debate, for sure!

– Micah and I were interviewed for the Missouri Baptist Convention Pathway newspaper in regard to Missouri bloggers and convention life. Should be a good article… we’ll see a draft to us this evening, and will post the link once it’s online.

– Press passes! SBC bloggers are being granted media observer passes. Talk about sweet! (I’ll post a pic soon!)

– Man on the street… Micah and I spent some time back in the exhibition hall, asking a few random messengers about some thoughts on the convention. This will be posted online at sbcvideos.info shortly. I was amazed at the willingness of people to appear on camera to talk about the convention. Great stuff, very encouraging!

As for now? I’m dog-tired. I’m hoping to get a bit of rest before the younger leaders meeting tonight. I have a feeling we’ll be up VERY late afterwards, hanging out with all the other cool folks we’ve met.

Anyway, hopefully I’ll have another update late tonight.

Keep praying for the convention!