Addressing the editors of state Baptist papers in Philadelphia on Feb. 16, Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page shared devotional thoughts, then allowed questions from the editors who had gathered from across the nation for their annual meeting.
“I am cautiously optimistic,” Page began, “but we do have some extreme factions that don't even talk to each other.” Asked what he was doing to help the situation, Page replied, “I am encouraging people to talk to and not about each other. I am also trying to model it. Let's talk. When we do we often find middle ground upon which we can agree.” He went on to refer to Paul's admonition to speak the truth in love or to be “truthing” in love.
He also addressed what he called the “self-centeredness” of our churches. Larger churches in particular are able to develop ministries without regard for partnership with other churches or a denomination. “We may be big enough to go it on our own, but that is not the question. The question is, ‘What will be our role in building the kingdom of Christ locally, nationally and internationally.' ” He believes balance between individual church initiatives and partnerships with other churches is the key. “A church can move into an isolation that is very unhealthy. This needs to be corrected.”
Page also shared his concern that despite record seminary enrollments, most students are preparing for ministerial positions other than the pastorate. Unless this trend is corrected, Page predicted that churches will begin to have difficulty finding pastors. Citing statistics he received from Missouri where a great majority of pastors are over 40 years of age, Page expressed his belief that this is not a localized phenomenon.
Asked about the place of women in ministry positions and ordination, he responded that according to his understanding of scriptural teaching women may be ordained and serve in any position other than as senior pastor of a church. He referred to the staff of First Baptist Church, Taylors, S.C., where he is pastor, as a place where women are ministering effectively.
Before the meeting, the Religious Herald asked if he is being successful in enlisting members of the Baptist General Association of Virginia to serve on SBC committees and agencies based on his promises during an earlier interview the editor had conducted with him. He replied enthusiastically that he had talked with some wonderful people who are willing to serve. “I've talked to people from both groups [BGAV and SBCV] about serving. And, I'm talking about different levels, too.”