If you have been around evangelicals for at least a couple of decades, you will remember WWJD bracelets. Young people wore them to ask themselves, “What Would Jesus Do?” in guiding them to make good decisions.

While looking to Jesus as a model for ethical behavior is commendable, a speaker at our recent Christian Life Commission’s Advocacy Day suggested that it would be even more objective to ask “What Does God Require?” (WDGR).

Micah 6:8 not only asks that question but answers it as well. What God requires of his people is to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. That should guide our ethical decisions and behavior as individual believers and as the people of God corporately.

This past week has had me traveling to various places in Texas. I have preached at Gambrell Baptist Church in Fort Worth, attended the CLC’s Advocacy Day in Austin, visited the convention center and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and preached at Tallwood Baptist Church in Houston. Today, I fly down to South Padre for our BSM’s Beach Reach.

God is doing great things all across Texas, and it is exciting! At the end of the day, all of us want to see churches thrive, offer a compelling witness to the world, serve our communities with compassion, advocate for justice and make disciples who pray the Father’s Kingdom down “on earth as it is in heaven.”

The Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission guides its work around Micah 6:8. The public policy arm seeks to “do justice.” The hunger and care ministry is an example of “love kindness.” And “walk humbly with God” speaks to “ethical Christian living.”

Established in 1950, the CLC has spoken in two directions. It speaks to (not for) Texas Baptists. Like the prophets of old, it is a voice that declares what God requires of God’s people among the many other voices. It also speaks to power, legislators and other influences, advocating for just laws and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.

This year’s Advocacy Day in Austin consisted of a day where speakers addressed how the church can be an instrument of God’s kingdom in a context of moral relevancy, political strife and religious confusion. Steve Bezner and Tim Alberta brought challenging keynote speeches.

John Litzler, director of public policy for the CLC, offered practical guidance on how Christians can practice advocacy when it comes to legislation. He elaborated on the CLC’s four public policy priorities: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Human Life, Fair & Just Financial Practices and Human Flourishing.

Monday afternoon featured a panel of the keynote speakers moderated by the CLC’s director, Dr. Katie Frugé. You can read more about it here and access the keynotes here as well.

On Tuesday, Texas Baptists pastors and Advocacy Day attendees were able to meet with their respective legislators at the capitol to discuss pending bills related to the four priorities of the CLC. My group of six was able to meet with our representative. We offered to pray for her, and she welcomed the opportunity. She suggested we hold hands, and we prayed over her.

Closing with a highlight, the Texas Baptists delegation attended the Senate Legislative Session on Tuesday morning. Our BGCT President, Ronny Marriott, opened the session with a prayer. The Senate then approved a resolution recognizing the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission’s 75th anniversary along with its contribution to Texas.

What a blessing it is to be part of the Texas Baptists family, where as local churches and as a convention, we get to be a light in the world. What a legacy of advocacy, compassion ministry and exemplary witness we have. We are thankful for the CLC, for Dr. Frugé as the director and for the excellent team that offers servant leadership to our churches and convention.

Thank you for your support through the Cooperative Program, for your prayers and for your participation. Let us continue to be the church, to shine the light of Jesus and to be about God’s Kingdom in our state and beyond.