• Love God; love Jesus.
• Love your neighbor.
• Love the lost.
• Pray for each other (our greatest gift is prayer).
• Share values.
• Share resources.
• Create and celebrate ways of ministry.
• Preserve "the Royston generation" if the Convention is to survive -- disciple the next generation, "the X-generation or whatever you choose to call it."

Royston

"Let me summarize my first 27 days on the job," the Tennessee native began.

"I literally began at midnight on New Year's Eve in this very place (the auditorium at Caraway) and I have not stopped since.

"The task as I have experienced it -- however long with meetings endless, travel endless -- is good," the former pastor of Huntersville¼s First Church said.

Royston expressed his concern that Michael Queen had found it necessary to decline another year as president of the GB after they had agreed last November when the new executive director-treasurer was elected that Queen's leadership of the board would greatly facilitate Royston's beginning in the position.

"But I must admit I was relieved when my old buddy (Larry Harper) of long years was elected as part of the leadership you have given (me) to provide a stabilizing influence among this nest of rookies who will try to lead you this year," the former staff member of Mecklenburg (now Metrolina) Association said.

Royston noted that it is "a new day, I mean literally when you look at the officers -- those that you have elected to serve you in house every day.

"It really is an awesome thing to think about, and it really is a challenge. As I thought about it, if God is going to do a new work, how better to do it than to literally shake up the nest. "And He's done that!"

The executive drew a parallel with Jesus' reference to putting new wine in old wineskins. He expressed his pride in what N.C. Baptists have been doing -- as expressed in the many reports -- and he commended the General Board staff (many of whom were in the room) as "creative, talented, gifted, dedicated persons."

"My task is to let more of that (staff resources) out," Royston said.

"Good things are happening," he continued, "but my coming to this position was a risk of faith for me.

"I'm not suggesting you make any concessions to me for this risk. It is a risk that God has called us to do together."

Royston stressed, as he has since last September, that the "core issue" for the state convention is to help the church "fulfill its mission."

Noting that N.C. Baptists have a rich legacy in a good spirit, service, missions and giving to worthy causes, Royston said "I want us to carry this heritage and legacy into the new century.¾

The new executive said that his scripture verse for years had been Philippians 3:12ff, but recently he had claimed Jeremiah 29:11 as his verse: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

Returning to the metaphor of new wine in old wineskins, Royston said there are no plans "to change things for change's sake, but we will be willing to make any change for heaven's sake."

Royston plans to tour the state early in the spring and listen to Baptists express what they feel ought to be done as the new century and millennium draw near. (Convention president Mac Brunson and board president Larry Harper will make the tours with Royston.)

In closing his address -- presented in a casual, relaxed manner -- Royston suggested some guidelines for the process:

• Love God; love Jesus.
• Love your neighbor.
• Love the lost.
• Pray for each other (our greatest gift is prayer).
• Share values.
• Share resources.
• Create and celebrate ways of ministry.
• Preserve "the Royston generation" if the Convention is to survive -- disciple the next generation, "the X-generation or whatever you choose to call it." "I will not let my comfort zone keep me from listening to you," the executive director asserted.

  He referred to the story in the Bible about David and Goliath.

  "Some thought David should not hit Goliath because he was too big, but others thought Goliath was too big to miss."

  "There are 3.5 million lost people in North Carolina. How could we make a mistake?" Royston asked rhetorically.

  "We ought to give $5 million to the North Carolina missions offering. Nothing would excite me more than somewhere in the next few years to say we are on the road to starting 1,600 new churches.

  "We are going to reach and teach more people and baptize more people than any single time in our history. The task is too big to miss.

  "I haven't been out of the pastorate too long -- the pastor in me calls for closing in prayer will you pray with me," Royston said as he began his prayer in the first person.