As many have said, the Southern Baptist Convention is at a key crossroads in its history. The IMB, NAMB and Executive Committee are all in need of new heads. The denomination is in decline as far as number of members … and the membership numbers are radically skewed (16 million reported; 6-8 million actual most likely).
While it is okay if the SBC ceases to exist, I think it is still very viable as a tool to serve and advance the ministries and missions efforts of Southern Baptist local churches. The SBC remains a great avenue for cooperating together for the purpose of carrying out the Great Commission, of making disciples of all nations. This is why the SBC formed and if this remains the focus of the policies and structures of the SBC then it serves a great purpose.
So, let’s keep it going.
A key, key initiative in the re-focusing of the SBC on its purpose is the Great Commission Resurgence task force. This group has already met a few times, and there next meeting comes up Oct. 27.
Ronnie Floyd, GCR chairman, has details:
Over these next few days, I am asking you to pray for a very important meeting that will take place in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, October 27. I have requested that each State Executive from our 42 state conventions meet with us. Due to matters of scheduling and some who have annual conventions at this same time, we are very grateful that 22 of our state convention executive leaders will be able to meet with us. I have asked their Chairman, Bill Mackey of Kentucky, to lead their group in a presentation to us about what is on their heart about the Great Commission. Following their presentation, we will dialogue with one another about the Great Commission related to the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. This pivotal meeting may be unprecedented in at least recent history and needs our highest support in prayer and hopefully even a day of fasting. It is my prayer that we can all go together towards a bold, visionary Great Commission future. The need is urgent and calls us to act together now.
Finally, we are listening, learning, and committed to leading our convention towards experiencing this Great Commission Resurgence. We do not have all the answers. As Chairman, I am in desperate need of God and His leadership. There are days I am overwhelmed with this task and feel it upon my life heavily. Our task force is agonizing not only over our desperate need, but also about what we must do to move together towards seeing every person in America and the world afforded the privilege of hearing the Gospel and coming to Jesus Christ.
State conventions will very likely play a key role in the recommendations from the GCR task force. Let’s pray that everyone involved is able to think clearly, have the advance of the Gospel as the forefront thing in their minds and then get to work at these meetings.