TO GOD BE THE GLORY! For Such A Time As This
A Personal Prospective and Review of the 2009 Session of the BCMC by Richard Suggs, President 2009
As you know, these are days of unrest and difficulty in many churches, schools and denominational ministries. The value placed on music ministry is declining, or at the very least, drastically changing and the paradigm of church music is changing at alarming rates. The practices which have brought us to this point may not take us into the future because we no longer share a “universal” opinion of the value of music ministry and the purpose of music in the church. Additionally, many churches are struggling with financial problems and are being forced to make decisions based on the reality of a growing financial crisis. This historic financial problem has seeped into nearly every home and church to a degree that we can no longer ignore its reality. The combination of the erosion, or at least the drastic change of a value system and the ensuing financial crisis is proving to be detrimental to music ministers and to church music as we have known it during recent decades. History will show this to be a time of significant transition and change.
Against this backdrop, we, the Executive Council, had the task of planning the 2009 conference which would gather our “flock” and “future flock” to reunite, recharge and refocus. From the beginning, the words from Isaiah 43:19 rang in my heart and head. It was imperative for me to find help answering the question, “SO WHAT”? What does that mean for church music and for our conference? I felt strongly that we are to embrace and champion our heritage while concurrently exploring and dreaming of our future. It is important to share our music ministry foundation with those who will come behind, and it is imperative to minister in our current culture.
I began contacting friends and colleagues to probe their opinions and ideas. A clear “big picture” view was essential early in the planning for our 2009 Conference. Through prayer, scripture and listening, I began to work toward what I felt was God’s plan and his objectives. During our planning meetings, I shared my prayers, hopes, dreams and goals for the 2009 session with the Executive Council. With their approval, support, and assistance, we began diligent work toward bringing the 2009 conference to reality.
I was humbled and amazed. Seldom have I been in God’s “stead” in such a way as to see His fingerprints appear during the process of working His plan. Never have I been yoked with so many colleagues of such outstanding capability and spirit as the Executive Council and program leadership. Seldom have I felt God’s guiding Spirit and seen evidence of His work in such a way as in this experience.
We shared wonderful times and made lasting memories when we gathered in Nashville at Forest Hills Baptist and at First Baptist Church this past June. The music and memories made and the worship expressed in those places are forever in my heart. I appreciate and embrace Dr. Terry York’s challenging thoughts and reminders for our conference and for each of us as “called” servants. I accept his words as prophetic and his challenges as worthy of effort.
Our future is bright and our journey is ongoing. Dr. Jon Duncan and council are working diligently on the planning for the 2010 gathering in Atlanta and it promises to be an historic year for our conference.
I am humbled and forever blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the conference in a leadership role. Thank you for your support and your attendance. I will see in you in Atlanta.
Richard Suggs is the Minister of Music for First Baptist Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and was president of the Baptist Church Music Conference, 2009-2010.
