Issues of Importance

Dr. Frank S. Page
President of the Southern Baptist Convention 2006

Evangelism initiative (part 4) - 6/2/2008 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In this last article regarding the National Evangelism Initiative, let me state my deep hope that this year's annual meeting in Indianapolis will be the beginning of the greatest time of evangelism in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Evangelism initiative (part 3) - 5/19/2008 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--I have been speaking recently about the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis, where our North American Mission Board will share a national evangelism strategy.

Evangelism initiative (part 2) - 5/5/2008 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In a previous first-person column, I talked about the presentation of our North American Mission Board at this year's Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis regarding a 10-year, multi-faceted, flexible evangelism strategy which will point our churches in a common direction of winning this continent for Christ.

Evangelism initiative (part 1) - 4/21/2008 As I have mentioned in previous articles, I have been encouraging the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board to present to our convention a multi-faceted, flexible evangelism strategy which will help pull our churches together over the next years to focus on that which my predecessor, Bobby Welch, emphasized during his tenure.

Spirited, Christ-like climate debate - 3/20/2008

A 10-year evangelistic strategy - 3/20/2008 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As we approach the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Indianapolis in June, many people are wondering what this convention will bring forth, who will be elected and what will be decided.

Frank Page statement on climate change - 3/11/2008

FIRST-PERSON: Moving beyond Feb. 5 - 2/27/2008

Calvinism & Southern Baptists - 12/17/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--The issue of Calvinism has been at the forefront of many articles and discussions in our convention.

Where is God in the '08 election? - 12/3/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In recent weeks and months I have been contacted by a large number of presidential candidates. I have spent time with several of them in person and talked on the phone with others.

An outdoor baptizing - 11/19/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As I said recently, Southern Baptists constantly need to be reminded that we are a people who are evangelistic at heart.

Carrying forth the Great Commission - 11/5/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--My predecessor as Southern Baptist Convention president, Dr. Bobby Welch, constantly reminded Southern Baptists of the need to be winning souls to Christ.

Building bridges - 10/22/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As president of the Southern Baptist Convention, I regularly am given books to read. I also often am asked for endorsements and recommendations.

Houses of prayer - 10/8/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--During this year's SBC Pastors' Conference I was part of a breakout session led by Dr. T.W. Hunt. This dear man of God has spent years seeking the face of God and also teaching God's people about prayer.

Common questions - 9/24/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Over the past year, many questions have been asked about how I have been treated by other leaders within the Southern Baptist Convention.

The SBC president's pay - 9/10/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Recently, Jack Wilkerson, the Executive Committee's vice president for business and finance, sent me his well-worded reply to a request for information from a dear brother in our convention.

What have I learned? (Part 2) - 8/27/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As stated in a previous article (Aug. 13), I have learned a great deal over the past year as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

What have I learned? - 8/13/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Traveling across the Southern Baptist Convention over the past year has given me an opportunity to see the hearts of many people.

Thank you, Southern Baptists - 7/16/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--The Southern Baptist Convention meeting in San Antonio was a wonderful experience for me. Yes, it was nerve-racking in some ways as it was my first time to moderate a meeting of that size. Yes, there was spirited debate and discussion over a few issues. Yes, it was a physically and emotionally draining time. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful experience.

God's promise fulfilled - 6/6/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were to see the latter part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 come to pass? There, God promises that if we fulfill our obligations, then He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land. Wouldn't you love to see this in your lifetime? I certainly would.

Seeking His face - 6/5/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As we continue our emphasis upon spiritual awakening, renewal and revival, we continue to focus upon God's prescription found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This great text says the following, "And (if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Prodigal, come home - 6/4/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--God's call to our convention is clear. He wants spiritual awakening, renewal and revival. He wishes for us to see the elements of 2 Chronicles 7:14 to be the operative factors in a turnaround in our nation and world. His call is clear.

What does God require? - 5/21/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As we continue studying the great passage, 2 Chronicles 7:14, we see God's requirements for renewal and revival. We continue to see what God would wish for us. I ask that we continue in a spirit of self-evaluation and analysis as we ponder our spiritual position and condition.

God commands humility - 5/14/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As we approach the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in San Antonio, I continue to call for our people to pray, even beg God for spiritual renewal and revival.

Pray for laborers - 4/30/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In the month of May, I will be privileged to speak at the graduation ceremonies of two seminaries and at least one college. Over the last eight months, I have spoken at all of our Southern Baptist seminaries in one format or another.

Guarding against sexual abuse - 4/2/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Several days ago, I was interviewed by ABC's "20/20" news for an upcoming program tentatively titled, "Preacher Predators." At the request of several, I agreed to this invitation so as to provide some kind of balance to a program which may well be overwhelmingly negative.

Visiting California - 3/26/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--While visiting California in early March, I was thanked by one of the pastors for visiting what he called the "left coast." There are many who joke about California?s edgy style and different way of dealing with life.

A visit to GuideStone - 3/19/2007 Many people across the Southern Baptist Convention ask me about the health of our entities. I have been privileged to visit many of our seminaries, mission boards and other entities over the past eight months.

Finding the bones of Jesus? - 3/12/2007 There has been a plethora of news articles in past days about a documentary detailing the finding of several ossuaries in the suburban areas of Jerusalem. Although most scholars reject the claim, a handful say these funeral boxes contain the remains of Jesus, Mary and Jose.

FIRST-PERSON: Remembering the great storms - 2/12/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--I have been privileged to travel to many churches, speak to many groups, and see God at work in many places as Southern Baptist Convention president. For this I will be eternally grateful.

FIRST-PERSON: The tragedy of uselessness (part 2) - 2/5/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In a first-person column last week, I began looking at this great biblical passage in which our Lord Jesus shows the power of His communication skills. Sometimes we think we are communicating and then later find out that we weren't. We would love to have even just a portion of Jesus' skill in communicating.

FIRST-PERSON: The tragedy of uselessness (part 1) - 1/29/2007 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Our Lord Jesus has often been called the Great Teacher. For one to be a great teacher means one has developed the skills of communication to an extraordinary level.

FIRST-PERSON: The Christ of Christmas - 12/22/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--One of the first passages of Scripture we learn at Christmas is, ?And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.? (Luke 2:7). As we well know, this text tells of the birth of our Lord Jesus. It also tells of the sad place of His birth. Jesus and His family were poor, involved in a transitory migration because of an emperor?s tax plan, and therefore had to give birth to our Lord in an animal habitation.

FIRST-PERSON: Gifts and fruit - 12/11/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--The headline on this week's column might lead one to believe I was talking about the practice of receiving gifts and filling stockings with fruit during the Christmas season. However, while those are wonderful parts of the Christmas season, that is not what I am referencing. I?m referring to the scriptural description of spiritual gifts as well as the fruits of the Spirit.

FIRST-PERSON: The forgotten hurricane - 11/27/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--I participated in a rally in southeast Texas recently to help bring attention to the plight of some 60,000 persons whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Rita.

FIRST-PERSON: Lord, unify us in a cooperative mission task - 11/20/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--For the last several weeks and months, I have called on Southern Baptists to seek the Lord to ?send His reviving Holy Spirit?. There are many areas in which we need the Holy Spirit?s help. One of those areas is church transformation. Another is personal repentance and confession. Yet another area is our call for God to help energize our evangelistic efforts.

FIRST-PERSON: Lord, please energize our evangelistic efforts - 11/13/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--There are several areas in which the Southern Baptist Convention needs God?s Holy Spirit to visit, confront, strengthen and encourage us. One of those crucial areas is the area of evangelism.

FIRST-PERSON: Lord, bring us to repentance - 11/6/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Recently, I have been calling our Southern Baptist Convention to ask God to send his reviving Holy Spirit. I believe that the future of our convention and our churches will be based on God?s willingness to give us His reviving power. I believe that that reviving power is needed in several areas. Last week, I focused on the need for God?s spirit to transform our churches.

FIRST-PERSON: Lord, please transform our churches - 10/30/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In recent columns, I have made clear my desire that our Southern Baptist Convention pray for God to ?send your reviving Holy Spirit?. I believe that our future depends upon God?s Holy Spirit and His reviving power.

FIRST-PERSON: The deep need for relevancy - 10/16/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In recent weeks I have been traveling across our country, speaking in seminaries, colleges, churches and trustee meetings.

FIRST-PERSON: Seeking revival - 10/9/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In recent days, God has given me the opportunity to speak in various churches, entities and organizations around our country. This has been a wonderful experience which has encouraged me to see the true heartbeat of many Southern Baptists.

FIRST-PERSON: The three 'Rs' - 10/2/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In my short tenure as president of the Southern Baptist Convention I have been privileged to travel to several places around our country.

FIRST-PERSON: My call - 9/18/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In a recent conversation, a dear brother from Tennessee told me of his son?s surrender to the ministry. He also stated that his son read my articles in Baptist Press. To be honest, I was shocked that a young man would read my articles. However, he encouraged me to continue writing words of encouragement so that young ministers might receive the guidance and counsel that they need. As a part of that discussion, he asked that I share a little more about my call to ministry.

FIRST-PERSON: Transforming the church for the glory of God - 9/11/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Since God called me to be a pastor, I have attempted to bring the churches which He has allowed me to serve from a position of status quo to a place where our people are learning with ever-increasing passion to reach out to the lost, minister to the saved, and make a difference in our culture.

FIRST-PERSON: Praying for Mexico - 8/28/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--God continues to bless my life with opportunities of seeing His hand at work around this world.

FIRST-PERSON: A call to prayer - 8/21/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, Southern Baptist volunteers descended en masse to the stricken areas. One public official flying over the area asked the question, ?Who are those people in yellow shirts??

FIRST-PERSON: An update on New Orleans - 8/14/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Words cannot express the depth of emotion that I have felt recently, having returned from a trip to New Orleans and surrounding areas.

FIRST-PERSON: Burdened for a lost world - 8/1/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As I write this article, I will confess that my heart is full and burdened. I recently have returned from meeting with our Southern Baptist mission personnel in the South Asia region.

FIRST-PERSON: God's cause, God's vision - 7/24/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Since June 13, I have been trying to learn what it means to be the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. I have tried to use this as an opportunity to bring glory to God. I remind you of my belief that Ephesians 3:20-21 should be a scriptural reminder that we are to be giving Him all the glory! I believe that great days are ahead for the Southern Baptist Convention if we learn that scriptural lesson. I believe God can do great things through His people called Southern Baptists.

FIRST-PERSON: The new Southern Baptist Convention - 7/17/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--To be writing this article is truly an overwhelming feeling. As I have said in previous press releases, the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention is not something I ever sought or ever believed to be possible. However, God directed this entire scenario in an incredible fashion. I also stated my belief that my election would simply not occur. Today, I confess that my belief was totally shortsighted. I believe that my election as president of the Southern Baptist Convention did not belong to any one subset of leaders of people. This convention belongs to the Lord!

FIRST-PERSON: Give Him the glory! - 7/5/2006 TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--In this, my first article, I would like to set the tone for that which is to come. I firmly am convinced that Southern Baptists need to renew their understanding of who is in charge, of who has the power and who sets the agenda. This day, I call on all Southern Baptists to reaffirm that we belong to the Lord, that we accept His marching orders, and that His great Book, the Word of God, gives us that which we need for life.

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