Southern Baptist leader: Perry is not another Bush

First of all there is not such thing as a State Convention HEADQUARTERS.! A State convention is simply an organization of local Baptist churches in fellowship with the SBC. (Actually there are some churches who affiliate only with the State but not the SBC)
Annual meetings are more than just business meetings. The last BCNY meeting I went to - there was very little time given to business meetings. The annual Convention has some great preaching and excellent break out seminars. In addition there is a wonderful time of fellowship - something impossible to do at satellite meetings.

You have a concern about additional $$ for missions. Effective 1 Jan, our DOM along with many others will no longer be funded by NAMB. I know some positions at the State convention are be eliminated. This will free funds up so more missionaries will be able be on the home mission field full time.

As far as Lifeway - I prefer to have them under the authority of the SBC. Allowing Lifeway to become its own regulating entity, would be a mistake. As the publishing house for the SBC - if false doctrine were to be introduce in SS lessons, books, ect would only the be the beginning of a spiral downfall - with no oversight. Same for the seminaries - it's a check and balance situation.

By the way, I am looking forward to the BCNY conference next weekend. I am looking forward to meeting some of the great folks, I have met in the past years.

My advice is you don't care for the Convention setup; - as an independent Baptist church, just revoke your affiliation with the SBC. Remember you can still be in fellowship with your local Association and or State Convention.

Salty