June 27, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
To be writing this letter is part of a truly overwhelming experience. Having never sought nor wanted this position, I find myself begging God for wisdom, direction, and discernment. I ask that you pray for me in the days ahead. I believe that our Convention is truly at a crossroads. While affirming biblical inerrancy and sound doctrine, we must also realize that God wants us to apply the Word that we have fought to defend. The need is great! Our Convention has fallen among dry times, and this is evidenced in many ways.
Would you pray with me this following prayer.
LORD, SEND YOUR REVIVING SPIRIT …
… to transform churches.
We need help as churches. Let us call for God's Holy Spirit to re-energize our Sunday Schools, worship services, our ministries and programs, as well as the families within our churches.
… to energize evangelism.
How we desperately need the Holy Spirit to convict us of our lack of urgency of soul winning. How we need to see the Holy Spirit bring the lost to Himself and to allow us to be a part of that process! Instead of just talking about programs, we need to seek power that will energize all of our evangelistic efforts.
… to unite us in cooperative mission work.
Let us commit to pull together in support of our great Cooperative Program and even more than that in a cooperative mission work. We need to pull together. Instead of breaking into groups and factions, let us affirm in word and deed that we are a family of faith, committed to missions.
… to exhort us in repentance, humility, and confession.
We need to be the obedient servants of our Lord. This Convention does not belong to us. It belongs to God! Let us confess our sins of seeking ownership of that which does not belong to us. Let us confess that we have neglected His power too long.
Ephesians 3:20-21 will become the focal passage for this next year. Let us remember that He says, Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all we ask or think — according to the power that works in you — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (HCSB) The glory belongs to Him!
Again, I plead for your prayers. God's Holy Spirit reviving work is the only answer. Let us depend upon the Holy Spirit as we point to Jesus as the positive message which Southern Baptists have to share. Too long, we have been known for what we are against. While we can and must take strong stands, let us present the precious, powerful, life-changing, relevant message of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Your friend,
Dr. Frank S. Page
