PROUD TO BE A TEXAS BAPTIST
Co-Chair Thoughts from Phil Lineberger

It is a privilege to be a part of what Texas Baptists are doing to establish the kingdom of God in the world. Our generation is called to build on the solid and faithful work of those who have gone before. One wise sage has said, “Any jackass can kick a barn down, it takes a skilled carpenter to build one.” Texas Baptists are in the process of building eternal barns for storing the treasures of heaven. There are three things that come to mind in our process of building.

First, as Texas Baptists we are committed to celebrating and protecting the freedom we receive from Jesus Christ. The scriptures remind us, “It for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) We understand that our supreme obligation is to the One who set us free… Jesus Christ. It for that reason that we celebrate and protect our freedom as Texas Baptists to follow His directions for missions, evangelism, education, and benevolence. The methodology for doing our work, and the channels for directing our work must remain dynamic to meet the needs of a changing world. That’s what freedom means for Texas Baptists.

Second, as Texas Baptists we are committed to magnifying the good work done together. The scriptures remind us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24) Only God could have inspired and knitted together Christians to accomplish the great work done in Texas through Baptist believers. No other group has been able to cooperate in such a way bring about the massive missions, evangelistic, educational, and benevolent work seen in the history of Baptists Texas. We need to magnify God’s work done through our cooperative effort.

Finally, as Texas Baptists we are committed to encouraging others by modeling servant leadership. John tells us that Jesus showed the “full extent” of His love by becoming a servant and washing the feet of his disciples. Jesus told His disciples that He had set for them an example of what they were to do. (John 13:17) Nowhere in the teaching of Jesus does one find the concept for any man to be “ruler” of the church. Any man who declares himself “ruler” of the church has placed himself on a throne deserved only by the one who died for the church, Jesus Christ. Texas Baptists are committed to encouraging others, not “ruling” others.

Our convocation this year focuses on servant leadership. Servant leadership is biblical leadership. Servant leadership is committed to building others up and promoting harmony in the church and beyond.

We urge you to make plans to attend the convocation on “Servant Leadership” in San Antonio, June 3-4. This convocation is open to all. We especially urge our Texas minister’s to attend the pre-convocation seminar June 2. The opportunity to hear Myron Madden and Doug Ezell should not be missed.

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