The Day of Small Things: A History of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention

The Day of Small Things: A History of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. By Gary Ledbetter. Grapevine, Texas: The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. 167 pages. Paperback, $7.00.

Gary Ledbetter has been Communications Director for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and editor of the convention’s newspaper since the start of 2001. The primary focus of this book is an insider’s survey of the first decade of the SBTC as a means of celebrating a chronological milestone, but more importantly recording the story of the birth and coming of age of a theologically conservative, modern state convention.

However, Ledbetter’s book could just as easily be described as a survey of Texas Baptist life from the arrival of the first Baptist pilgrims in what was then the northern Mexico territory of the 1820s, through the years of the Republic of Texas, Texas’ transition into statehood with the United States, the civil war and finally the 20th century. The first two chapters highlight the significant developments of Texas Baptist life during these time periods as well as the prominent individuals used by God to guide Texas Baptists through the shifting cultural landscape. In addition to a survey of the impact of secular developments, Ledbetter also relates the ramifications of notable events at the national SBC level on Texas Baptist life during the same time periods.

Chapter three provides a more detailed review of both national SBC and state BGCT developments in the 1980s and 1990s that together became the catalyst for the vision of a new state convention and provided the momentum that made that vision a reality. Ledbetter points to issues like the Conservative Resurgence, Baylor University, the 1994 BGCT annual meeting in Amarillo that redefined CP giving and significant moral issues such as abortion and homosexuality.

The following three chapters provide a fascinating account of the formation of the SBTC, the search and contentious installation of the first Executive Director, early personnel developments and initial ministry partners. Ledbetter recounts the many challenges, both from within and without the SBTC that created some formidable early days. Also helpful in this section is Ledbetter’s clear explanation of the SBTC’s ministry philosophy and methodology. Throughout the pages of this book, the story of God’s sovereignty that overwhelmed the SBTC’s first decade and led to dramatic growth and expansion is clearly on display.

Ledbetter concludes his work in chapter seven and the appendixes with a list of the SBTC founders, the six men who served as president during the first decade, the SBTC constitution and a list of the convention’s charter churches.

Significant amounts of factual substantiation and a focus on the issues and not personalities ensure this work is not a stunt by the successful SBTC to gloat or showboat. Though decidedly in the conservative camp and obviously writing from an insider’s seat at the SBTC, Ledbetter maintains an even handed reflection of the contention between the BGCT and the theological conservatives that eventually led the effort to birth the SBTC. One might disagree with Ledbetter’s perspective of Baptist life in Texas over the past twenty years, but one would have a hard time characterizing this book as mean spirited or slander.

Any effort to record history will be viewed with some disappointment and criticism. For example, some may point out that though the book is 167 pages long, less than 90 pages are actually devoted to the first decade of the SBTC. However, one ought to consider than any written history is the perspective of the author and Ledbetter’s work is well written, fascinating and properly substantiated. If anything, in the world of writing, leaving one’s readers wishing for more is a sign of work well done.

This book would be a helpful resource to any Baptist church in Texas deliberating state convention affiliation as well as students studying Texas Baptist history. Individuals with an appreciation for the SBTC should purchase Ledbetter’s book as a keepsake and memoir of God’s providential hand that guided theological conservatives through an unexpectedly successful decade of ministry.