June 9, 2005 - Younger Leaders Summit on June 19

Looking forward to seeing many of you at 2 pm on June 19 at the Global Cafe here in Nashville (4th and Broadway, downtown). I am really excited about this time together. Some terrific folks will join me for the program. We will have a word from Bob Reccord, representing NAMB, who has done a lot with this younger minister effort, Robby Partain, Chris Seay, Ed Stetzer, Jeff Harris, Kevin Shrum and Adam Greenway.

Each of these has had an enormous impact on my own life and has been so encouraging in the effort I have made this year to connect with younger ministers. When we finish we will have a time of fellowship with refreshments, and then it would be great if you would join me at the Convention center to hear two dynamic young ministers, Ergun Caner and Voddie Baucham Jr., who will be preaching at the Pastors' Conference. See you then.


Younger Leaders Summit schedule set;
June 19 event at Nashville’s Global Café

By Chris Turner

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—On one hand, a year’s worth of work culminates June 19 when LifeWay president James T. Draper Jr. hosts “Young Leaders’ Summit 2005” during the Southern Baptist Convention.

On the other hand, the work will be just beginning.

“I’m very excited about the way the program has come together,” Draper said. “We’ve invested a lot of effort over the past 12 months raising the awareness of our convention to make a place at the denominational table for younger leaders. I’ve encouraged younger leaders to get involved and bring to bear their energy and creativity.

“I believe that what we have scheduled for the 19th is a strong step toward getting us to where we’d like to go,” he said, “and that is ultimately toward being a denomination that uses various creative methods to reach all people with the gospel.”

The summit begins at 2 p.m. at the Global Café, located in downtown Nashville at the corner of Broadway and Fourth and is expected to last slightly more than an hour and a half.

Singer/songwriter Russ Lee, former lead vocalist for Newsong, will lead worship. Confirmed speakers are Chris Seay, pastor of Ecclesia, Houston, Texas; Kevin Shrum, pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn.; Adam Greenway, new LifeWay trustee and pastor, Church at Andover, Lexington, Ky.; Robby Partain, director of missions, SBTC; Ed Stetzer, NAMB director of research; and Jeff Harris, pastor, Grace Point Church, San Antonio, Texas.

At last year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, Draper highlighted the lack of involvement in the convention by younger leaders as a concern of his. He then produced three columns that addressed the need for the denomination to include those leaders into participation. He followed last year’s SBC address with several face-to-face dialogue sessions with younger leaders from across the denomination in several states. He said the sessions helped him develop a better understanding of younger leaders.

“Being with them was a great experience,” Draper said. “I went with no agenda other than to listen. Too often I think we older folks do too much talking at them, but my intention was to find out what was on their hearts and minds. I learned a lot. One thing I knew – and had reinforced – is that these younger people have a willingness to engage the culture regardless of how challenging that might be.”

Draper said the dialogue sessions have had a direct impact on LifeWay, adding that he will announce on June 19 several commitments LifeWay will make as a result of what he heard.

“One of our goals as a ministry partner is to provide individuals and churches with the resources they need to spiritually impact the culture around them,” he said. “We have already begun to implement some of what we heard and we are making a commitment to younger leaders that we will continue listening to them and find ways to involve them. One of those commitments is that we will continue to encourage all SBC entities to build bridges, as well. Many are doing that – and were actually doing that before I brought it up.

“It is a two-way street, however. I can push a door open, but we need younger leaders to accept the challenge to be involved with the SBC,” he added.

Draper said registration information updates and his continued commentary can be found at LifeWay’s younger leaders Website and on his personal Weblog, both located at lifeway.com/youngerleaders web site.

quote:

“It is a two-way street, however. I can push a door open, but we need younger leaders to accept the challenge to be involved with the SBC,” he added.

Dr. Draper:
You are correct, we as younger leaders need to accept the challenge to be involved. Don't forget, though, that on "your" side there need to be several leaders pushing open the door for us. Please know that we greatly appreciate all that you are doing, but we believe others need to have the same mindset as you (thanks, Dr. Reid!).