And a woman shall lead them

Joe Southern
joe.southern@amarillo.com
Joy Fenner of Garland was elected Monday as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, becoming the first woman to lead the convention that represents 5,600 congregations and 2.3 million people.
Fenner, 72, was elected over David Lowrie, 47, pastor of First Baptist Church in Canyon. The vote, held at the Amarillo Civic Center, was 900 to 840. Her 60-vote victory was closer than many had predicted and puts her in a position to unite Texas Baptists who showed signs Monday of being split over the direction of leadership.
In a news conference after the vote was taken, Fenner and Lowrie spoke about the importance of communication and the need to unite rather than divide.
"I don't think it's a very strong division at all," said Fenner, who is a lay leader from Gaston Oaks Baptist Church in Dallas.
Lowrie said his candidacy was more about moving the leadership back to the political center and having all voices heard than it was to take the convention in another direction. His concern was primarily for the large number of Southern Baptists in the BGCT and the low representation they have in leadership positions.
"I'm going to support her to the best of my ability," said Lowrie, who leads a Southern Baptist congregation.
He joked that they both actually won, because "I got my point across and I don't have to serve as president."
Fenner said she is open to working with Lowrie and other new leaders during her one-year term.
"For sure he will be involved. He's a gifted leader and we need his vision and his capabilities," she said.
BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade, who is retiring in three months, said he thinks the convention will come away from the two-day annual meeting a lot stronger than it was.
"There were a lot of conversations about what would happen here today," he said. "I am very pleased to see the spirit of unity that was going on. David's comments are deeply appreciated. ... Most of our churches give through the BGCT to support the missions programs of the Southern Baptists."
As for the historic nature of the vote, Fenner said it was always a secondary issue for her.
"It's gratifying because women have been so involved in Baptist work," she said. "I hope it would honor some of our women who have leadership abilities."
Fenner is the executive director emeritus for the Woman's Missionary Union of Texas. Between sessions, several people commented about the vote.
"We would have voted for Joy Fenner because of her background in missions," said J.W. Tomes of Amarillo, who was not a voting member. "She would have been very much our choice. She's done a lot of good work in the state of Texas."
"I'm very pleased, happy," said Sue Andrews of Hereford. "I didn't get to vote, but that's who I would have voted for."
"I think it's great myself. I think she'll do the job that she's supposed to do. She's got a lot of experience as a leader," said Kelsie Nowell of Vernon.
Shirley Whitley of El Paso said she was also pleased with the outcome.
"I think she has a great background and I trust her to bring us together like we need to be," she said.