SBC Pastors’ Conference releases theme: ‘We Proclaim Him’

By Matt Henslee
February 15, 2022

First, can you believe we are already two months into 2022? Second, that also means it is time for another monthly update.

Gathering

We are exceedingly grateful for Southwestern Seminary’s partnership and rolling out the red carpet for us this week! On February 17, the SBC Pastors’ Conference preachers will gather for a time of brain-storming, equipping, and fellowship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

After chapel, we will feast on good ol’ Texas BBQ with Dr. Adam Greenway before afternoon preaching workshops with Drs. David Allen, Matthew McKellar, Deron Biles, and Chris Osborne. After the workshops, the preachers will have more time to connect and fellowship over dinner and TopGolf.

Theme

Shortly after Josh Reavis announced his intention to nominate me, I began to release a few pillars or principles behind my vision for the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference if I was elected. The first was Everyday Pastors, followed by Expository Preaching, and concluded with Engaging Worship and Embracing Endurance. The third principle, however, was Encouraging Unity. In a sense, that was the linchpin.

I truly wanted to bless the boots, Cole Haans, or Crocs off those that would gather with a clarion call to unity. Our list of everyday pastors who would preach expository sermons to everyday pastors would encourage unity. Our time of engaging worship with guys who have embraced endurance in front of thousands of everyday pastors who have done the same would encourage unity.

Well, I was elected, and it was off to the races. As I listened to sermon after sermon to select our preachers, a phrase kept coming to mind: “We proclaim Him.” So many differences among the hundreds of sermons, but they all had something in common: proclaiming Christ. After all, that is what we do––week in and week out, everyday pastors all over our convention proclaim Christ. The pastors may be in suits, or they might be in skinny jeans; they might be in mega-churches or tiny churches––the differences are endless, but the call is universal: proclaim Christ. Rallying ourselves around this linchpin of our ministries is a great way to encourage unity.

So, I began to prayerfully search the Scriptures for a book that would highlight that call, and that is when I landed on Colossians. In June, as we gather for the 2022 SBC Pastors’ Conference, we will have 12 men who affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message and the Chicago Statement on Inerrancy preach through Colossians, verse-by-verse. In addition, we will have some special guests offer short but timely messages to inspire and encourage all who are in the trenches of gospel ministry––all getting to the heart of our call to proclaim Christ.

Fundraising

We crossed the $300,000 mark late last month, and are sitting around $320,000 for #SBCPC22 in Anaheim with recent gifts from churches like Shades Mountain, First Baptist Plant City, and Champion Forest, as well as a few generous individuals who gave anywhere from $50 to $10,000. We are also grateful for the willingness of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to join in on the fun in the exhibit space, and are waiting to hear from a few others.

In other words, we’re almost there, and you can help! No matter how big or small, every gift will help––and we mean that. If you can spare a few bucks or a few thousand, it will be used––and used well:

https://www.sbfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-now/donate/?hash=7409570231424287db30abbb7fc19aab&id=208

Socials

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for steady encouragement and equipping. We also have an online presence that will soon host announcements and details for the Pastors’ Conference.