Is the Cooperative Program Worthy of Sacrifice?
by Nathan Finn and Micah Fries
We are concerned. As we look across our beloved Southern Baptist Convention, we see a problem that is significant, and is growing. Sadly, statistics inform us that this is an issue across the entire spectrum of SBC life, regardless of location or age and type of congregation. This issue is no respecter of persons. Our shared commitment to the Cooperative Program (CP) is on … [Read More]
Is the Cooperative Program Worthy of Sacrifice?
On the Future of the Southern Baptist Convention: A Graduation Meditation
This morning, we’ll celebrate our December graduation at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This is our smaller of two annual commencements, but we’ll still graduate around 130 students today. The vast majority of them are Southern Baptists who are currently serving in paid vocational ministry, are presently looking for paid church staff positions, or are preparing to be domestic church planters or foreign missionaries. I hope you’ll pray for those who are transitioning to their next … [Read More]
Thank You State Conventions!
At the recent Executive Committee meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in February in Nashville, Dr. Frank Page shared that the leaders of our State Conventions recently voted unanimously to move as quickly as possible to a 50/50 split in Cooperative Program allocation between the State and National Convention in order to get more resources to the nations where 1.6 billion have still never heard the name of Jesus. I want to say thank you … [Read More]
Way To Go KBC! A BOLD GCR Vision!
You can go to http://t.co/t7bd94H and see the report that has been issued by the GCRTF of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. All I can say is wow and way to go KBC! This state convention has aggressively committed itself to a GCR for the churches of Kentucky. This is a great day in the life of that state convention, and it is my prayer that many more will follow in their footsteps. Their report is … [Read More]
Post-SBC Reflections
The SBC is over.
It really is. The “convention” is a meeting that meets once a year and that meeting has closed. Now, we will all go back to our locally autonomous churches and work to fulfill the mission of God. Hopefully what was accomplished at this year’s annual meeting will help that work press forward. But ultimately, the Great Commission is given to believers and the church, not denominational structures, entities, and employees.
But, because I … [Read More]
GCRTF Report Challenges to all Southern Baptists (7): Challenges for all Southern Baptist Leaders
GCRTF Report Challenges to all Southern Baptists (7): Challenges for all Southern Baptist Leaders
By Danny Akin and Nathan Akin
Southern Baptists exist as a convention of free churches voluntarily cooperating together to combine efforts for the “propagation of the gospel.” The original goal of our founding Southern Baptists forefathers was really that simple. Over the years we have developed various structures and programs (some of these are good and still helpful, but others need to … [Read More]
Johnny Hunt and Ronnie Floyd on the CP
Editor Jim Smith of the Florida Baptist Witness recently interviewed pastors Johnny Hunt and Ronnie Floyd about their increased commitment to the Cooperative Program. You should read it, especially if you are worried that the GCR is a Trojan Horse meant to undermine the CP.
Two Important New Pro-GCR Articles
Dr. Frank Page, who currently serves as Vice President for Evangelism at North American Mission Board (and is very likely the next President of the Executive Committee), has written an endorsement of the GCR titled “I Believe One Can Stand and Vote for This Final Report and be a Supporter of the Cooperative Program.” This article is important for two reasons. First, Dr. Page has long been recognized as a Cooperative Program champion, so his … [Read More]
Funding Great Commission Faithfulness
Over the past three days, Dr. Danny Akin and I have published three blog articles interacting with Morris Chapman’s recent anti-Great Commission Giving white paper. We have adapted our articles into our own white paper titled “Funding Great Commission Faithfulness: A Response to Morris Chapman.” We hope that you find this material helpful as we continue to debate the recommendations of the GCRTF in anticipation of the Orlando Convention next month.
M. E. Dodd and the Cooperative Program
Louisiana pastor M. E. Dodd was one of a half-dozen key leaders of the SBC during the first half of the 20th century. Dodd was an entrepreneurial leader who pastored a growing church, was a tireless advocate for evangelism and missions, and played a crucial role in the launching of numerous denominational ministries. Dodd’s most important contribution to wider Southern Baptist life was chairing the committee that created the Cooperative Program in 1925. This year … [Read More]
