Young Pastors Encouraged by Southern Baptist Election

Fries, the Missouri pastor, said he saw signs of youthful influence on the denomination's activities. He had "observer" status in the convention's newsroom, enabling him to sit in on Page's presidential news conference so he could blog about it later.

"I think that the effort to reach not just younger leaders but a diversity across our denomination was evident even before this election," said Thom S. Rainer, president of the denomination's LifeWay Christian Resources, which provides Christian products such as church literature and other supplies.

Rainer cited a report by a church nominating committee that allotted 102 of 105 vacancies on various committees and boards to people who had not previously served on SBC boards, with an average age of 48 for the new members.

"There was a very intentional effort to make sure that there was a broad-brush representation," he said.

Tad Thompson, 31, a pastor from Siloam Springs, Ark., said he thinks young ministers like himself agree with older leaders on inerrancy -- the belief that the Bible is without error -- but are interested in newer ways of worship, such as his church services that "lean" toward contemporary music.

"I think younger leaders are taking an active role and trying to be heard and trying to shape the issues rather than just ignore them," said Thompson, who attended the young clergy summit.

Several prominent -- and at least slightly older -- leaders of the denomination stopped by the summit to let the younger pastors know that they've been heard. They also visited bloggers at a reception in a hotel suite Tuesday night.

"Stay plugged in," advised Jimmy Draper, the former president of LifeWay, speaking at the summit. "Keep blogging. Be nice. Don't judge motives, and celebrate the diversity that we have."

That diversity, including young leaders, is something Page promised to embrace as the denomination's next president.

"People, I think, have spoken a powerful message," he said. "We can do a lot together, a lot more and a lot better than we can do separately. I think there is a clear call from the Southern Baptists that we want to strengthen our work together."