James H. Royston wants to be player-coach of the Baptist State Convention
By Steve DeVane
Managing Editor
The nominee for executive director-treasure of the Baptist State Convention (BSC) said he wants to be a "player-coach," helping N.C. Baptists to grow spiritually and win the lost to Christ.
The BSC General Board voted unanimously Sept. 30 to recommend James H. Royston as the nominee. Messengers to the Convention's annual meeting in November will vote on the recommendation.
If Royston is elected, he will succeed Roy J. Smith, who will retire in December.
"I have no desire to become multiple conventions," he said. "I have no desire to alienate one agenda or promote the other."
Royston described the church he now serves as pastor, Colonial Heights Church in Kingsport, Tenn., as "very traditionally oriented to Southern Baptist work," yet autonomous and independent. The church gave $137,000 through the Cooperative Program and $9,000 to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship last year.
Royston said he has "intentionally for years chosen not to be an active participant" in denominational politics. He said efforts toward reconciliation in North Carolina played a major role in his decision to allow the search committee to consider him a candidate for the job.
"I believe the men and women on the search committee and other friends in North Carolina who have conveyed to me a genuine, Spirit-led, heartfelt sense, willing to reach across the aisle and join hands and work together to concentrate on their shared faith rather than their differences," he said. "That impressed me.
"I told my congregation last Sunday that if it were any other state in Southern Baptist life right now I probably couldn't be here. Not just because I love North Carolina but because I sense a genuine willingness to work together to be an even greater state convention."
Royston said he has always considered North Carolina to be "a flagship" among state Baptist conventions. "I'll do everything in my power to see we maintain that role," he said.
"I try to take people with me on the journey," he said.
Royston said he wants to be a friend, an encourager, a defender and a promoter of the General Board staff.
"I will prod them to grow, but I will grow with them and stand beside them," he said. "We'll turn every rock we can to be creative and innovative, but we'll be as supportive as we can."
Royston said he realizes there is "a lot of change and ferment both in denominational and congregational life." He has studied those changes in recent years and is excited about the future he said.
"I think North Carolina has to take a leading role in reaching young adults in the next 10 or 15 years if we're going to survive as a denominational entity," he said.
Royston told the General Board that the state convention would try to "reshape denominational ministry" by responding to congregations and associations.
"I do hope that the team and the General Board, associational leaders, pastors and General Board staff and all of us will work together, literally one congregation and one association at a time, trying to make a difference, growing believers and winning the lost. That would be the greatest desire of my heart."
James H. Royston
 The 167th session
(Sept. 27)  Mac Brunson
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The convention's program (Oct. 21)
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