I have lived the “city life” for all of my 56 years. Even while serving in the Army, my family always lived on base or the nearby city. Whether it has been Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington D.C., Columbia S.C., Honolulu, or Tulsa, we have always lived where there has been a haze of the city wherever we looked.
Until now.
Now we live in the country. Northeast Coweta. No street lights. No neighbors behind us. The sunrise and sunset look different. I can see the stars at night… all of them! In short, it’s peaceful. We only needed to back up from the city a bit to see things in a whole new perspective.
The last two plus years have given me a whole new perspective on Oklahoma Baptists. As I trek the central area of Oklahoma, visiting with pastors and fellowshipping with associations, I see Baptist life differently. Backing up a bit has a way of bringing clarity.
Clarity has come to me in these areas:
-We have much more in common than we have differences. Sure, we have some theological nuance, various methods, even a few different sizes, but we share much more in Foremost, we are Gospel people!
-Our churches love their pastors. Of course there are ornery people! But spend a hot minute talking to the lay people in Oklahoma Baptist churches and you will find out quick that they love and are proud of their pastors! Being a pastor is THE highest calling. THESE are the heroes. THESE are the leaders. They give their lives to shepherd the flocks, and we love them for it.
-We sacrifice much more than I knew. Oklahoma Baptist churches want to give, want to see the Gospel taken to the edges of the world, want to see ministries thrive in their churches, in their associations, in their state conventions, and around the world… and they are willing to give until it hurts.
-Love for the church and pastors pours out in abundance from those who serve at the state convention and associations, from our affiliates, from our university (Zip, Bang, OBU!). These folks genuinely want to see the church “win.” It amazes me to see how tirelessly these great people work together for the fame of Jesus and the good of the local church.
-We are a grateful group. We know God’s mercy and kindness. We have received the grace of Jesus. We know that we are blessed. We have seen the Lord’s provision again and again. We know it is nothing we have achieved or earned. Every blessing is from our Father. Everywhere my tires take me, I hear how grateful Oklahoma Baptists are to be Oklahoma Baptists.
Yes, I have a new perspective. And just like at my new home, I love having a back porch view to the beauty of who we are as Oklahoma Baptists.
