Meet the Directors: Seth Brown

Seth Brown is director of the Convention Relations group. He serves as a liaison to the state convention’s board of directors, institutions, agencies, committees of the board and convention and other ministry partners.

As a movement of churches on mission together, the work of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is organized into five groups, each headed by a director of that ministry area. The five groups that make up the convention’s structure aim to connect churches and associations to relationships and resources that fuel missions partnerships across the state and around the world.

We asked the five directors to tell us about their work and a bit about themselves. Here’s what Seth shared.

Describe your role with North Carolina Baptists.

I serve our board, convention leaders and other ministry partners, helping us all move forward on mission together. I also work on strategic initiatives and missions giving.

Tell us about your group’s mission.

The convention relations team is here to help N.C. Baptists become a movement of churches on mission together by cultivating our partnerships and celebrating our cooperative efforts.

What about your group are you most excited about for 2022?

Our team is working on multiple initiatives that will deepen cooperation among our churches, help our leaders remain effective and develop beneficial partnerships around the sanctity of life, religious liberty and other convictions. We believe God is opening new and exciting ways for N.C. Baptists to work together to fulfill the Great Commission.

What are you currently reading? Tell us a little bit about it.

I’m a grazer, which means I usually have three to five books going at the same time. Sometimes it leads to interesting and unexpected insights. Right now I’m slowly working through “The Body Keeps the Score,” a book about how trauma affects the brain; rereading “The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism,” a classic by Carl F.H. Henry on cultural engagement; and “Providence,” a gigantic book by John Piper on the doctrine of providence throughout the Bible. Most mornings you’ll also find me browsing the latest issue of the Wall Street Journal.

What book (other than the Bible) has helped shape you most or left the biggest impact on you? How so?

This question is difficult to answer. There are so many good books out there. Like many people, I struggle with what we call the fear of man. The book “When People are Big and God is Small” helped me understand what it means to fear God in a transformative way. It gave me a new and healthier understanding about how to live under the authority of God such that it frees us from the tyranny of how others perceive us. That book delivered a theological and practical punch for me at a critical time in my life. Highly recommended.

If you could share a meal with any three people who have ever lived, who would they be and why?

Am I supposed to say Jesus? We already have a dinner penciled in (Revelation 19:9), so that doesn’t count right? You’re invited too!

I’d like to have a meal with Alexander the Great, because I’m fascinated by Greek history, ancient cultures and world-shaping leaders. Also I’m pretty sure the feast would be fit for a king – literally.

Former U.S. Rep. John Lewis (1940-2020) is also on my list because of the sheer range of events and experiences he lived through. He was born very poor in rural, segregated Alabama; played a key role during the civil rights movement; was an aspiring preacher; went on to be a long-tenured U.S. Congressman; and observed massive upheavals in American society, from wars to wild tech advances. He and I certainly would not see eye-to-eye on a few important political issues, but Rep. Lewis was the kind of person I could probably sit with, share some deep South (and deep fried) food and listen to his life stories for hours on end.

I’d love to have a meal with the first person in my family that immigrated to America. I could probably find out who they were with tools like Ancestry.com, but I’ve never actually looked it up. I want to know what personally drove them to such great lengths. Although I don’t suspect they were notable, it would be fascinating to hear their hopes and dreams for their kids and grandkids.

If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?

A secluded beach somewhere south of the border. I love sitting by the ocean with no agenda. Something about the sunshine, waves and horizon allow me to think and pray in a unique way. Okay, maybe add a dock and fishing pole for when I get bored. That sounds perfect.

Share three fun facts about your family.