Out of the distant past these annual gatherings of Baptist
church members brought fellow believers together who were otherwise separated
by long distances and poor travel
conditions. They discussed the needs of sister churches and the need of distant
mission fields. They also discussed the boundaries of Christian doctrine and how
diverse an interpretation could be accepted. They provided the opportunity for
new relationships to be developed and old relationships to be strengthened.
Fellowship was a key purpose behind these annual meetings.
Now in the 21st century a few of these purposes
remain. General business for the large group is conducted and the general
affairs of the churches are evaluated.
Some associations and conventions use these occasions to overview the
doctrinal stance of the convention and determine if any corrections are needed.
Individual church needs are rarely brought to the attention of a convention,
perhaps more so on the local associational level. Improved travel time has
allowed the meetings to be shortened in duration and agendas have been
tightened accordingly.
An underlying need, however, has not been diminished. That
is the need to establish or reestablish relationships with people from other
churches. Fellowship, socializing, catching up on the local news from other areas
of the state or nation is still critical for the strength and health of the
Church. Christians need each other. The more turbulent the times, the more
Christians must depend upon ongoing contact with other believers.
On the national level this can be extremely difficult, but
the benefits of being in face-to-face contact with others are still evident.
Emotional support, sharing and mixing of ideas, and seeking the common ground
may be possible in our digital age, but a small screen cannot replace the communication
conveyed through body language and voice tone.
State convention annual meetings offer a bit more
opportunity as contacts between meetings is easier and therefore serve to
reinforce the impact of the business session gatherings. Ideas shared may be
more applicable in the common state arena. Other avenues of contact are more
available on the state level. The possibility of stronger relationships is
enhanced by participating in state level annual conventions.
Within the area of the local association, however, we see
the benefits of involvement at its highest. Local church representatives who
gather at associational meetings find they are sitting next to neighbors. They
are talking to people they see at the supermarket and the restaurant. They are
discussing issues with those with whom they do regular business, whom they saw
the previous week, and may see again the following week. Discussions and
decisions at associational meetings are made in the context of ongoing and
close relationships. It is hard to walk away from strong disagreements in this
context.
The local association of churches offers a richness of ideas
and planning development. Churches in different contexts offer a variety of
perspectives that is essential to healthy Kingdom work. Churches are
strengthened by listening to and learning from the stories of their sister
churches. Churches are encouraged by hearing of the victories of others in
their region. Shared resources make the big projects for the local community
possible when otherwise such ministries might be nothing more than frustrated
dreams.
Relationships are critical for the work of the Kingdom of
God. Strengthening those relationships must be a high priority. Associational
cooperation and the annual meetings representing that cooperation are worthy of
our time and efforts.
