Floridians offer opinions about Welch, convention

INDIANAPOLIS (FBW)—Florida Baptists attending the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 15-16 in Indianapolis overwhelmingly expressed approval of the new SBC president, Floridian Bobby Welch, who is also pastor, First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach—and for the meeting in Florida’s partnership state.

“I’m retired, and I’ve always wanted to come to the Southern Baptist Convention,” said W.A. Smith, a member of Northside Baptist Church in Plant City. “This is the first one, and I am amazed; I’m awed by the magnitude. It’s just phenomenal to me to be associated with an organization as dynamic as this. The speakers have been just tremendous.”

As for Welch, pastor of Daytona Beach First Baptist Church, Smith was supportive of his election.

“I think he’s a very dedicated, God-called man that’s bold about his mission and he’ll stand up and be counted,” Smith said. “I’m thrilled that we as Florida Baptists will have a say in that.”

Ruth Lawhorne, also of Northside Baptist Church in Plant City, said she was “very proud to have a Floridian as president.” She also was impressed with the entire convention.

“I’ve been very impressed with the preaching,” she said. She appreciated “being able to hear so many different speakers preaching and being able to hear the diversity of the preaching,” as well as the spirit with which the business of the convention was conducted.

While many Floridians were happy with Bobby Welch’s election as president of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, at least one Florida pastor said he is concerned it may give the idea that the position is reserved for the large church pastor.

William Blosch, senior pastor, Plantation First Baptist Church, said the conservative resurgence may be over, but he sees a new resurgence on its way up.

“That’s a grassroots resurgence,” Blosch said. “I think the average Southern Baptist church, in Florida and throughout the Southern Baptist Convention, runs 150-200 on Sunday morning, and that’s indicative of most churches. But the Southern Baptist Convention has been run for the last several years by the politicians from the mega-churches running 5,000-10,000.”

Sharing observations about other components of the annual meeting, Steven Ray, pastor of Gateway Baptist Church, Miami, said his time at the SBC led him to appreciate Florida’s state convention in a new way.

“When I hear about what’s going on in some of the other conventions, I’m glad the Florida Baptist Convention runs as smoothly as it does,” he said. “We seem to be relatively free of some of the controversial things that some of the other conventions seem to have. I attribute that to the leadership that we have at the convention level, from Dr. (John) Sullivan on down.”

Ray also enjoyed hearing President George W. Bush address the convention.

“As a convention, we are a viable voice in what goes on in the country,” he said. “I think that the President taking time to speak yesterday is evidence of the fact that we are a voice to be heard.”

Ray encountered a group of homosexual activists demonstrating outside the meeting, and said they don’t understand what Southern Baptists are all about.

“Baptists don’t hate gay people,” he said. “That’s not the issue. It’s just that there are certain things that are biblical immutable, and we stand for those things, and we do not sway from those things. Every denomination that has strayed away from the truth of Scripture eventually dies. I’m glad that we are staying true to values that are scripturally sound. I think that sets us apart.”

For Heidi Gilbert, of Sunridge Baptist Church in Sebring, Ergun Caner’s sermon at the Pastors’ Conference stood out. Caner is a former Muslim who became a Christian and is now a theology professor at Liberty University. Caner offered insight into how Christians should relate to Muslims.

“I liked the fact that he came to know the Lord before it was too late, but I really liked his outlook on how we treat their people and they also treat us,” she said.

Coba Beasley, director of missions for Chipola Baptist Association in Marianna, was impressed with the facilities in Indianapolis.

“It’s probably been the best facilities we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “Everything’s indoors. You don’t get wet. It’s easy access. The buses have been running on time pretty good.”

Beasley was also pleased with Welch’s election, and thinks that’s a reflection on Florida.

“We have great pastors in Florida,” Beasley said. “I’m just kind of proud to be a Floridian.”

Perry Hays, associate pastor of Glen St. Mary First Baptist Church, is familiar with Welch from his role as co-creator of the FAITH strategy.

“We use the FAITH material in our church, and we’ve seen a lot of people come to know the Lord through it,” Hays said. “I’m excited to see him as president. I think he’ll do a great job.”