Last week, the Southern Baptist Convention held its Annual Meeting. Gathered in New Orleans, LA, nearly 19,000 attended. Of these, 12,737 were registered messengers (similar to delegates) from 4,423 churches. Over the two days of meetings, the messengers worked through a packed schedule that included changes to the Convention's doctrinal statement and a constitutional amendment, among other things. Southern Baptists are unique in that we debate critical issues publicly, with any registered messenger able to speak. This does not always make for flattering soundbites in the news and sometimes leads outside observers to think that we are contentious and in constant conflict. For those who attend the meetings and participate in the decisions, even in greatly debated issues, we generally depart the annual meeting more encouraged in the work and cooperation of the SBC. Below are some of the more significant decisions of the messengers to this year’s annual meeting.