This past week, Rachel and I had the opportunity to travel to Lakeland, Florida to participate in the annual Florida Baptist Convention meeting. For the uninitiated, we are a Southern Baptist Church ... in belief and in cooperation.  "Cooperation" is the operative word in our denominational identity.  We choose to partner with like-minded churches to address a variety of kingdom issues to include missions, theological training, evangelism, church planting, etc. Having recently returned to Florida, I am especially appreciative of Florida Baptists and all that that means forme personally and our church as a whole.  I have been where Baptist "cooperation" looks a lot more like name calling, division, and results in a pack of excuses for not accomplishing God's mission.

On the way home, I thought, "Man - I am so glad to be in Florida and to be a part of Florida Baptist life!"  Here are a few reasons why:

1. Dr. John Sullivan - this past week he was celebrated for 20 years of service to our state as the Executive Director/Treasurer of our state convention.  Under Dr. John's leadership, Florida Baptists are the most effective and productive State Convention in the country.  He is a scholar, statesman, pastor and leader without peer and we are blessed to have him at the helm.

2. Conviction - we listened to sermon after sermon, worship choir after praise team after soloist, state convention employee after local pastor after Director of Missions after furloughing missionary ... and realize that one common thread ran through them all ... conviction!  These men and women have a passion to take the message of hope and forgiveness through Jesus Christ to the people of this state and from here to people all around the world.  They all share a core conviction that Jesus is the only name under heaven by which men must be saved!

3. Strategy - I am amazed at the keen minds and creativity that Florida Baptists bring to the assignment of bringing the message of Christ to the State and world.  Some are taking Christ to young adults in Miami, senior adults in the Orlando, Haitians in South Florida, college students in Tampa or military families in the panhandle ... together they share a passion for the lost is focused strategically for the greatest possible impact. Wow - being around those sort of people makes you just want to try harder.

4. Vision - virtually every message, song or testimony inspired me and fired my imagination, each one challenging me to dream bigger dreams for God.  I left asking the Lord for a bigger assignment - more people for Christ and more people mobilized to work the harvest field.

5. Hope - despite the condition of our economy and political changes, I left the convention meetings believing God and wanting to walk by faith despite the obstacles to serving Christ that now exist.  Nothing inspires hope like being around people who live in it and possess it.

I am a skeptic by nature ... and, not too many years ago, had decided that denominational life was not for me.  Then, I was exposed to Florida Baptists and now I am proud to be one!