Matt Alexander

After 14 years of pastoring a church that began as a small church plant, my heart remains deeply invested in the life and direction of the Southern Baptist Convention. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, and I wanted to share some reflections from my time there where I would have it for myself on my blog.

As always, the Pastor’s Conference was a true blessing. The preaching was both inspiring and challenging, but my main takeaway wasn’t a sermon. It was the prayer and worship gathering led by Shane & Shane. That moment felt like the highlight of not just the Pastor’s Conference, but the entire Convention. It was Spirit-led, anointed, and refreshing to the soul. Thousands of young and old SBC Messengers and guests lifted up Jesus and Magnified the Lord together in a special way! In a time when we desperately need renewal, those moments of true worship reminded me of why we gather in the first place.

The Convention itself was a mix of business and preaching. As expected, the schedule was full, and the messengers were constantly on the move — hustling to breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and spending lots of time navigating the exhibit hall. The LifeWay Coffee station was a Major HIT and I personally enjoyed talking with the Faculty and Staff in the Luther Rice College and Seminary booth! I highly recommend them to you! The business portion of the Convention seemed hurried, often staying ahead of schedule. While some of the motions and discussions were important, it felt at times like we were checking boxes instead of having meaningful deliberations.

As far as business, we dealt with the abolishment of the ERLC, which ultimately failed. There has no doubt seemed to be a liberal shift over the years within this entity, and many — over 60% — voted to abolish it, but the measure came up short of passing. We also addressed the topic of transparency within our entities and organizations. Yet, it seemed that whoever was at the microphone immediately before the vote (any vote) was the one who swayed the messengers. I can see both the benefit and the potential harm of more financial transparency, but ultimately, the messengers chose once again to trust and support the trustees and boards of each entity.

What struck me most, though, was a recurring theme I’ve observed over the past few years. There is a deep and widespread desire within the SBC for a true “Statesman” to rise up — someone in the spirit of the late Adrian Rogers. A leader marked by conviction, courage, clarity, and character. It seems that there are a few that are jockeying for this position, but here’s the sad reality in our current culture: many want that kind of leader, but few are willing to stand behind one. Why? Because many are stepping up to a microphone or they are running to X and other social media platforms to be that statesman themselves. It seems to me that everyone wants to be the statesman and very few want to stand another. When Dr. Rogers stood up and spoke, others listened. Many want to stand up now but very few want to listen and support. It’s a tragic irony that in our search for unity and leadership, our own pride can hinder the very thing we long for.

There were encouraging moments, and I still believe in the cooperative mission of our Convention. But if we are going to move forward with strength, it won’t be because someone ascends to the spotlight. It will be because pastors, planters, churches, and messengers across this nation humble themselves, seek the Lord, and choose to follow servant-hearted leaders who are already among us.

Hopefully in a future post, I will share my Tex Mex and Texas BBQ adventures from my time in Texas. But for now, I leave Dallas reminded that the most powerful moments weren’t found at a microphone, a ballot box, or on X- but in the presence of God with His people in worship and prayer.