The interim report of the GCRTF has already generated much excitement and many conversations. This is good and healthy. The Taskforce hoped its report would excite Southern Baptists, and it seems clear it has. It is also the case that the Taskforce wanted to hear from our people and receive their feedback. That also is taking place and we rejoice in this. Our prayer all along has been that the work of the Taskforce would … [Read More]
What Does It Mean To Be Missional?
English-speaking Christians, including many Southern Baptists, have increasingly used the word missional in recent years. This adjective has been used to describe individual believers, local churches, the church universal, and even God himself. The term has also elicted much controversy, in part because there is such a wide variety of churches and thinkers who embrace the missional label. Some Southern Baptists have been very hesitant to use the term, while others have unashamedly owned it, … [Read More]
Prayer Request for the GCR Interim Report on February 22
Monday evening February 22 will be an important moment in SBC life as Dr. Ronnie Floyd will make an interim report from the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. We had hoped to live stream the presentation but we were denied that request. However, Dr. Floyd will post a video that contains the substance of his report immediately following his presentation at the Executive Committee. We are excited and hopeful about what will be shared. Again, … [Read More]
When Words Aren’t Enough: A Report from the Field, Part 1
For much of the month of January, a colleague and I have been in an international setting serving with overseas workers. We have worked together daily in an educational context, and I have been reminded continually of the significance of the Great Commission. To say I am impressed by the workers of our mission board is an understatement, but I don’t want to embarrass my friends by being overly effusive about their labors. None of … [Read More]
The Future of the Southern Baptist Convention (Pt. 6)
#6) Southern Baptists have a hopeful future if we have the courage to rethink our Convention structure at every level, clarify our mission so that we maximize our energy and resources for the fulfilling of the Great Commission, and provide a compelling vision that inspires our people to do something great for God.
Are Southern Baptist a Great Commission people? If you listen to our rhetoric then the answer is yes. And yet, though Southern Baptist … [Read More]
Aspect 2: A Mission Based Upon God’s Mission
(By: Danny Akin & Bruce Ashford)
Scripture and mission go hand in hand. Baptists have missional convictions because they are a people of the Book.[1] Our network of churches possesses a missional DNA. History informs us that the majority of the early Baptist networks arose from a need for interchurch cooperation in missional endeavors and that the SBC is no exception since cooperation in missions has been her raison d’etre from the very beginning.
In the following … [Read More]
Myth #6: Many members of the GCRTF are fundamentally opposed to the work of local associations and state conventions.
The GCR has always been about energizing and mobilizing Southern Baptists to get the gospel to the unreached peoples of the world and the underserved regions of North America, and to do so as effectively and efficiently as possible. Nothing more and nothing less is the goal and agenda of this movement. If something stands in the way or hinders this then it needs to change or be set aside as unhelpful and unnecessary to … [Read More]
Becoming the Great Commission Church
The Northwest Baptist Association in Oklahoma is sponsoring a conference titled “Becoming the Great Commission Church” on November 2. Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Woodward is the host church. The speakers include Alvin Reid, Anthony Jordan, and yours truly. The schedule for the conference is as follows:
Nathan Finn: Getting the Gospel Right
9:00 AM
Alvin Reid: Getting the Gospel Out
10:00 AM
Anthony Jordan: The Gospel and Cooperation
11:00 AM
Lunch at the host church
Panel Discussion: Moderated by Doug Baker
1:00 PM
Nathan … [Read More]
Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence, Part 22: A Great Commission Seminary
Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence is a series of articles by faculty of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary that seeks to offer some definitions of what constitutes a GCR, why we believe the SBC is in need of such a movement, and what such a movement might look like in SBC life. The series addresses biblical, theological, historical and practical issues related to a GCR with the hope that God will use our finite and … [Read More]
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