ARLINGTON, Va. — The Virginia Baptist State Convention — the oldest organization of African-American Baptist churches in the state — will focus on effective preaching during its annual meeting May 9-12 in Williamsburg, Va.
“As society evolves and information dissemination enhances through new technological inventions, preachers now have access to thousands more worshippers than in the past,” said Leonard N. Smith, president of the VBSC, in a press release explaining the annual meeting’s theme, “Advancing the Kingdom Through Preaching.”
Leonard Smith
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“Learning to construct and deliver messages that rightly divide the Word of God, but also that take into account diverse audiences and their individual and collective needs is necessary in order to reach people where they are in life,” added Smith, who is senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, Va.
The president said speakers at this year’s convention include many from outside the African-American community, reflecting increasing diversity of both congregations and the nation.
“We’re making strides to help churches look more like their America,” he said. “This is only the beginning of what’s to come.”
Speakers include Carroll A. Baltimore, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention; Joel C. Gregory, professor of preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Texas; Clarence Moore, president of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Georgia; and Gene Mims, senior pastor of Judson Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn.
“The caliber of this year’s guest speakers is unmatched to past years simply because we recognize the need to upgrade our offerings in order to assist our churches in their quest to make a greater impact,” said Smith. “Participants will be exposed to preaching styles and techniques that appeal to the traditional and non-traditional worshipper. Additionally, participants will learn about other ways to enhance ministry and worship.”
Mark Croston
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The VBSC, organized in 1867, counts about 700 member churches. VBSC first vice president Mark Croston, pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Va., also serves as first vice president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
“What better way to formally demonstrate diversity and inclusion than to meet in Williamsburg, which is not only beautiful, but also a prominent thread in the fabric of our state,” said Smith. “America’s original European settlers had no idea that the needs of this country would become what they are today, and churches of yesterday didn’t prepare for such changes either. We’re taking this as an opportunity to join together to combat spiritual and societal oppressions in whatever forms they appear. Strengthening forces across all Christian ethnic and cultural groups who profess, teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ is exactly what we’re supposed to do in order to spread light throughout the entire world.”