The Southern Baptist Convention New Orleans, LA June 13-14, 2023

Next week, you are sending Chris Parker, Jeanine Sanchez, and myself to represent you at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting. What is the SBC? It is an association of over 42,000 churches cooperating together to obey Jesus’ Great Commission and spread the gospel.

High Pointe is in friendly cooperation with the SBC. We do not need to be a part of the SBC to fulfill our ministry, but by partnering with other churches in the SBC, we are able to send missionaries through the International Mission Board (IMB), plant churches through the North American Mission Board (NAMB), and subsidize the education of future pastors and missionaries through six SBC seminaries throughout the United States.

The annual meeting in many ways is similar to our own members’ meetings. Reports are given for the sake of accountability. Gospel work is celebrated to the glory of God. And matters of cooperation are addressed. This year three major decisions will be made. Will you join us in praying that the Lord’s will be done and his name be glorified?

• Saddleback Community Church in California
  • SCC called a man as lead pastor and his wife as teaching pastor. The SBC’s confessional statement, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 clearly states that the office of pastor is limited to men. The credentials committee of the executive committee of the SBC voted to remove Saddleback from the SBC because, as a result of their decision to name a woman pastor, they are no longer in close cooperation with the SBC. 
  • SCC will appeal that decision.
  • Pray that the messengers will uphold the decision of the credentials committee to remove SCC from the SBC for violating our faith and practices.
• Proposed Bylaw Change
  • In an effort to clarify what we believe as Southern Baptists regarding the role of the pastor, there is a proposed amendment: “the SBC Constitution to include an enumerated 6th item under Article III, Paragraph 1 concerning “Composition.” As offered and referred to you at this past June’s annual meeting, the enumerated 6th item would read: “6. Does not affirm, appoint, or employ a woman as a pastor of any kind.”
  • There are competing proposals to address the issue.
  • Pray that the messengers will have wisdom to make a decision as to how best to address the definition of pastor and what it means to be closely aligned with our statement of faith. 
• Sexual Abuse Task Force
  • The messengers of the SBC in Anaheim, CA, directed the SBC to address sexual abuse and identify those who have sexually abused persons in churches so that they will no longer be able to abuse other victims in churches. 
  • The task force will bring a report to the SBC and offer proposals.
  • Pray that the Lord will give the SBC the wisdom needed to address the issue of sexual abuse and care well for the victims of sexual abuse. 

While there will be other matters that come before the SBC, like a presidential election, these three are the most vital. Join us in praying for God’s wisdom.

Giving at High Pointe
God is generous, and so he calls us to be as well. What we do with what God has given us shows the world where our hearts are and helps proclaim the gospel. We want to glorify God in every area of our lives, including what we do with our finances. But as you may have noticed, we do not take up a collection on Sundays at High Pointe. Consequently, we’ve been receiving questions as to how to give. There are several ways you may give:

1. Offering Boxes in Auditorium – You may place your offering in an offering box.
2. Mail – You may mail your contribution to the church office.
3. Text/Online – You may give by texting 84321 (it will require a first-time setup).
4. Your Bank – You may give through your own bank via Bill Pay or ACH.

If you have any questions, go to this LINK. Our financial staff is also available to help or answer your questions. You may call the church office at 512-837-7725.

On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.

Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is a preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
11 June | Romans 8:31-39
More than Conquerors

18 June | James 5:13-18
Pastor Davey Davis

25 June | Romans 9:1-18
I Will Have Mercy on Whom I Have Mercy

2 July | Romans 9:19-29
Why Does He Still Find Fault
 
9-30 July | Summer Preaching Series
Guest Preachers

Mark Your Calendar
13-14 June | The Southern Baptist Convention
31 July - 7 August | Oaxaca, Mexico Mission Trip
28 September – 3 October | Fujairah Mission Trip
2-7 November | Santa Clara, Cuba Mission Trip

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Love,