By JANA L. COX AND DAVID A. GEDRIS
jana@du2.byu.edu
One of the first items on the agenda for the Southern Baptist Convention was an election for next year's president.
Paige Patterson, president of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, was unanimously elected Tuesday to be next year's president of the annual convention.
'He is very conservative -- a great Bible scholar. I think it will be a very, very good thing for the Southern Baptist Convention,' said Rex Phillips, a resident of Dallas, Texas.
Each of the nation's 35,000 Baptist churches appointed as many as 10 representatives to vote on the convention's policies and officials for the coming year. These representatives, called messengers, are the only Baptists allowed to vote.
The newly elected president is responsible for organizing and directing next year's convention.
'It is basically an honorary position, but it has a lot of inputs,' said Harry Bonner, an assistant to Herb Hollinger, vice president for Convention News based out of Nashville, Tenn.
The title was passed on by President Tom Elliff, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church in Del City, Okla. Elliff opened the convention Tuesday morning expounding on the convention's theme, 'Exalting the Unchanging Christ.'
The theme is based on a scripture in the New Testament, Hebrews 13:8, which says: 'Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever.'
Elliff characterized the scripture as a reference point for all Christians, comparing Jesus Christ to the 'Pole Star of the ocean.'
In addition to his remarks about following the example of Christ, Elliff emphasized the long-standing importance of a family unit in the lives of Southern Baptists.
'Here at this convention, we have the opportunity, while the whole world looks on, ... to say, 'Listen! This is what God says about the family.' ... And we believe our Heavenly Father knows best,' Elliff said.
Baptist messengers will vote during the convention on a proposed amendment concerning official Southern Baptist statements on the family.
Holiness was also a major element of Elliff's address.
'Holiness seems to be the forgotten pursuit of this generation,' Elliff said. 'This unchanging Christ wants you and me to pursue holiness. I'll be honest with you, lack of personal holiness will render anyone of us powerless.'
This year the Southern Baptist Convention announced the registration of its one millionth member. The convention began in 1845 with only 293 members. In the 153 years since then, the convention has expanded to include more than 35,000 Baptist churches.
In 1872, a tradition was started with the presentation of a gavel to the newly elected president, James Boyce. Each year, the balsam and olive wood gavel is handed to the president to officially begin the convention.
This year's convention began Tuesday morning and will continue through Thursday evening.