SBC

Budgetary Shortfall at IMB to Affect Programs and Personnel

/ Steven Ruff / 1 Comment

A recent article in the Baptist Presss reported the trustees of the International Mission Board meeting in Shreveport, LA this past week adopted the 2010 operating budget. During this adoption process, the trustees learned that it would be necessary to move 7.5 million dolars from a contingency reserve fund in order to balance the budget. This action was necessary because revenue is expected to be lower than expenses in 2010. When you couple this with the fact that the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering came in under the national goal, it paints a sobering picture.

As a result, the IMB will be cutting back or restructuring two programs and possibly losing up to 600 positions. One of the programs being restructured is the Masters Program. The Masters Program is a program that offers the opportunity to those 50 years or over to serve overseas for a term of two or three years. Part of the restructure will call for those in the Masters Program to produce part of their own support, while the IMB provides logistical support. About the reduction in staff, the BP article goes on to say, “the drawdown in the missionary force during 2010 will be accomplished through natural attrition, completion of service, retirements and limiting appointments , not by recalling any personnel, the trustees were told” (emphasis mine).  It appears that missionaries will not be coming off the field, but there may be a delay of new missionaries getting to the field. 

I want to make a few observations here:

1. In regards to the Masters Program. I don’t feel that those who are appointed to this program (or any other IMB missionary service program) should have to provide their own support. I believe it is distracting to and detracts from their work on the field. I would not be in favor of them, or any other IMB missionary having to leave the field in order to come home,drum up financial support then return to the field. It is counterproductive.

2. Gordon Fort, IMB VP for Global Strategy said further in this article, “Because economic realities are forcing IMB to retrench its efforts, the organization must delibrately plan to have fewer missionaries — with implications for a lost world that should distress Southern Baptist church members.” There seems to be a mentality creeping into mission boards that is already in our corporate world today. That thought: do more with less. There is no way that you can reach more people, in more countries, in more languages, through more cultural barriers, with less personnel. I just can’t believe that. How can the IMB and the SBC justify one one hand our current population growth and on the other, as Fort says, “the organization must delibrately plan to have fewer missionaries”?

3. I believe somewhere along the line from the church to the state convention to the IMB there needs to be an adjustment to the Cooperative Program percentages. Fort went on to say, “When Southern Baptists collected $11.1 billion in offering plates in 2008, accoring to denomination’s Annual Church Profile, and 2.7% “finally arrive to support the vision of reaching a lost world, and when [Southern Baptists] are structuring ourselves in a way that guarantees we will fail in our mission, it just shouldn’t be.” I tend to  agree. In my opinion, we have a structure problem. Southern Baptist churches decide what percentage of their undesignated offerings will be given to the CP through the state convention. The state convention then decides what percentage of those gifts will remain in the state and what percentage will be forwarded to the SBC mission boards and other entities. In tomorrow’s post, I will show how much actually makes it to the IMB from the church level.

I find articles and stories like these tragic. In a day where the population is growing and anvenues are opening up for the gospel to be shared, the worst thing we can see is a lack of personnel to meet the growing need. What can we do? We can pray. We can pray the financial barrier will be removed and our missionaries who are waiting can hit the ground running.

Great Commission Resurgence Task Force

/ Steven Ruff / 1 Comment

At the SBC Annual Meeting in Louisville of 2009, the messengers voted to establish what has come to be known as the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. The genesis of this task force was a chapel message shared by Dr. Danny Akin at Southeastern Seminary. He and SBC president Dr. Johnny Hunt worked together to draft the Great Commission Declaration. A motion was made by Dr. Al Mohler for the convention as a whole to respond to this declaration. Subsequently, Dr. Hunt appointed the members to this task force. The purpose of this task force is to study the ways in which the SBC and its entities (seminaries, agencies, boards, etc) can better carry out the Great Commission. They were asked to bring these recommendations to the messengers of the SBC Annual Meeting in June 2010. The make-up of this task force is rather diverse. It is made up of twenty-two members ranging from pastors to (2) seminary presidents (Southeastern and Southern) to state convention executive directors.

The work before this task force is great. They have been charged with taking a hard look at the SBC and determine what can be done that will allow more effectiveness in carrying out the Great Commission. This is harder than it sounds. Here is the problem the task force faces, as I see it. Each SBC entitiy, agency, and seminary make their own decisions and cannnot be directed to change the way they operate or change their structure. Only messengers can direct this type of action. If the task force finds that a particular agency would be more effective by changing its structure, they can only reccommend the change. Their recommendations are non-binding.

Further complicating their work is the recent resignation of the president of the North American Mission Board and the announced retirement of the preseidents of the International Mission Board and the SBC Executive Committee. The leadership of our mission boards will be critical in our continued efforts to fulfill the Great Commission. Effecting significatnt change across the SBC will be alot like stopping a fully loaded freight train. It is no easy task. The SBC has been around for ovr 150 years. There is alot of tradition. There is alot of programming in place. In my opinion, there is duplication of some ministries and programs across national, state, and associational levels that do not make the best use of personnel or Cooperative Program monies. Rumors have circulated as to what the task force will do. A casual reading of state baptist newspapers show these. Some are saying that one of our seminaries will be closed. Some are saying that a merger of the North American Mission Board the International Mission Board will be recommended (big mistake). Others are suggesting that an overhaul of the Cooperative Program will be recommended. I don’t know. The task force chairman (Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Pastor, FBC Springdale, Arkansas) and the SBC president (Dr. Johnny Hun,Pastor, FBC Woodstock, Georgia) have been out front and proactive in putting rumors to rest and sharing the purpose of the task force.

Why is this important? Why does this matter? First, I am a Southern Baptist pastor leading a Southern Baptist church. I believe in the SBC and its commitment to missions, doctrinal integrity, and cooperation. Second, the latest research shows that nearly 89% of all SBC churches are plateaued or declining. It is the right time, as I see it, to take a look and determine if we have put too much focus on programs and structure and not enough focus on people. If it is found that we would be better able to reach people with a restructure or realignment, I am in favor. Third, I believe in the Cooperative Program. The CP is the best vehicle for funding mission work here and around the world. As we give collectively through the CP, we are helping to fund missionaries, train and equip future leaders at our seminaries, and provide resources for church planters to birth churches in places and among people where no church exists. Yes, the work of this task force is important. What this task force recommends and suggests will have an impact on us for years to come. I feel the best days for our SBC are ahead. I am excited to lead our church to do our part in carrying our commission. Pary for this task force.

Changing Faces at the IMB

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The International Mission Board has reported that Dr. Jerry Rankin, president of the IMB has announced his retirement that will take place on July 31, 2010. Dr. Rankin made this announcement while in Jacksonville, FL at the IMB Missionary Appointment Service that was held at FBC Jacksonville where 60 new missionaries were appointed. You can read about that service here.

Let me say that I have never met Dr. Rankin personally. I have heard him share mission messages and his heart for the lost at various convention settings. This man has a true heart for mission work and the lost. I am thankful that such a passionate and humble man had led our IMB fo the past 17 years. During his leadership, the missionary force has grown to what it is today. Here is how the IMB looks today. There are over 5500 missionaries, nearly 27000 churches have been planted in total, 101 new people groups have been engaged for a total 1190 different people groups being reached.

I have served on six short-term mission trips through the IMB to Honduras and Nicaragua. I have been impacted and challenged by Dr. Rankin’s vision for the IMB. As I have watched and participated in IMB ministry over the years, the IMB has had some real challenges. One challenge has always been present and will always be there. I am speaking of the challenge to take a message of love and hope to an unloving world. It is a call to take the message of Jesus to the unsafe and dangerous parts of the world. Dr. Rankin has consistently encouraged and challenged the Southern Baptist Convention to trust God above all else and go. We are seeing time and time again individuals and couples willing to put their lives on the line tht othes might hear. Amazing.

Another challenge that has surfaced recently is the decrease in giving to the Cooperative Program. As you may or not know, our missionaries are solely funded by the CP gifts from every SBC church and from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. As a result of these tough economic times, mission funding has decreased. I have written about that here. Today, the IMB has candidates who willing, capapble, qualified, and approved to go the field, however, the money is not there to send them. Tragic.

I will be praying earnestly for our IMB. I cahllenge you and encourage you to pray as well. How can you pray? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Pray the IMB will seek a president that has a passion for the lost and that will listen to God as how to reach them.

2. Pray for the safety, security, and success of our missionaries already on the field worldwide.

3. Pray the funds will come available through increased CP giving to be able to send those missionaries who are waiting to go.

4. Pray that God will open a door for you to go.

A New Chapter

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I have come to the end of a meaningul, benefical, and joyous chapter in my pastoral ministry. Yesterday was my last day as the pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Perry, FL. I have accepted the call to be the Senior Pastor at Port Royal Baptist Church in Port, Roayl, SC. Lakeside was my first full-time pastorate after leaving the youth ministry. I enjoyed and benefited from my time at Lakeside. As I look back, I see this in two ways. First, the people at Lakeside trult have a deep love for Jesus Christ. This love for Christ and His Word enabled and allowed me to preach and teach the gospel without reservation. Second, the people at Lakeside know what it means to love and support their pastor. Coming in as a first-time pastor, they were patient and loving the entire 4 1/2 years I was there. They prayed for me, helped me, encouraged me, and prepared for the next step in my ministry. For these things I will ever be grateful.

The Lord has His own unique way of leading, guiding , and directing. On August 2nd, I will begin a new pastorate at Port Royal Baptist Church. I am loooking forward to, with great anticipation, assuming my new role in Port Royal. I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to minister and pour my life into the lives of the people of Port Royal. I thank the Lord for this new chapter in my pastoral ministry.

Taking The Lead

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 Now that the SBC Annual Meeting in Louisville is over it is time to digest and give great thought to the events and decisions made over those few days. I will not take time to make my observations now. I will detail them in a post later, I have other things going on right now. I will make a comment one one of the major topics of the meeting, which is the Great Commission Resurgence. There was a motion made for the SBC president to appoint a task force to study the Great Commission Resurgence, which you can read here, on how Southern Baptists can  work “more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission.”

I am a big fan of Dr. Thom Rainer. I enjoy reading his work. Essential Church, Simple Church, Surpiring Insights from the Unchurched are just a few of his titles that I have enjoyed. There has been alot said about the GCR through all the news outlets and other blogs. Dr. Rainer made a powerful statement regarding the GCR. You can read it here.  Dr. Rainer states that any success that the GCR will have will be when it begins with each one of us. He has taken the lead and committed himself to a personal great commission resurgence. I applaud him being out front and calling for this resurgence to begin personally. Lord, give us the desire for it to begin with us personally.

An Unforseen Casualty of the Current Economic Downturn

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Most of what is written and reported about toda’y economy is negative. We hear a great deal about how bad things are and how many Americans are not spending money like they once did. This is also true when it comes to the giving as it relates to the church.

I recently read an article that deppressed and concerned me greatly. The trustees of the International Mission Board met recently at their scheduled trustees meeting in Denver on May 19-20. The highlight of this article was the fact that 101 new career missionaries were appointed.  Now the bad news. The IMB is suspending new appointments to its career, apprentice, and associate programs. The appointments that do occur will be more selective and focused upon more strategic assignments. This suspension is to begin immediately and remain in effect until trustess review the suspension again early in 2010.

IMB fundng has been hit by a downturn in Cooperative Program giving and harder than normal economic times. The overall work, support, and logistics of IMB missionaries comes from Cooperative Program giving and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. When the average church members across the SBC don’t give as they once were able to, that in turn leads to fewer missionary appointments to the field and decreased church planting efforts around the world. It is a tragedy to hear there are men and women who are willing, ready, and qualified for appointment, but the funds are limited to send and support them.

As we look at the fields, we pray as Jesus asked us to. He told us pray that the Lord of the harvest would sent workers into the field. God has answered our prayers for workers. However, Paul Chitwood, IMB Trustee Chairman shares what I feel is a sad and painful statement I thought we as Southern Baptists would never hear. He says, “Today, we have more candidates knocking on our door and downloading our applications than ever before. Yet, on this day when God has answered our prayers for workers for His harvest, lack of funding has forced us to temporarily suspend categories for service.” May we as Southern Baptists always remember to “Seek first the kingdom of God” that we might be able to fulfill the Great Commission that has been given to us.

Toward a Great Commission Resurgence

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Today, Dr. Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstick, Ga and President of the Southern Baptist Convention released a declaration entitled, “Toward a Great Commission Resurgence”. The goal and purpose of this declaration is a renewed attempt to unite all Southern Baptists around the common cause of a renewed focus on the Great Commission given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. You can view the declaration at www.greatcommissionresurgence.com

I encourage you to take time and read the declaration carefully. Dr. Hunt has penned some very powerful, stirring, convicting, and challenging words for us as a convention. There is a place provided for you to sign if you are in agreement.

A Marriage of Evangelism and Relationships

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I am always intrigued when a secular newspaper writes about matters pertaining to Christianity, especially the Southern Baptist Convention. The USA Today printed an article recently entitled, “Southern Baptists Urge Their Members to Evangelize More”. You can read the article here. This article highlights the need for increased evangelism and the possible reluctance to do so, in the face of the North American Mission Board’s national initiative that begins in 2010 called GPS, God’s Plan for Sharing. I’ll write more about GPS later.

The conclusions drawn come from a pool of 15,173 people who were surveyed by Lifeway Research. The results of the survey reveal the top two ways that people today would be somewhat willing to “receive information” about Jesus. I was not surprised by these two conclusions.

63% would be somewhat willing to receive information about Jesus in a personal conversation with a family member.

56% would be somewhat willing to receive information about Jesus from a friend or from the church.

The reason that I don’t find these results surprising is that I strongly believe that relationships matter. I believe relationships build the bridge that carry the gospel from those who believe to those who need to hear. Ed Stetzer, the Research Director for Lifeway said, “Baptists like to talk more about evangelism than to actually do it.” That is a spot-on assesment.

Other outreach methods were presented and were not favored as highly. These methods included print advertising, notes on doors, billboards, radio, television, and door-to-door knocking. Here again, no big surprise. I can understand why knocking on doors might be the least favorable approach. The majority of people have a fear of being rejected that keeps them from this form of evangelism. There are others who do not feel adeqaute enough or feel as if they know enough to speak to someone on a “cold” visit. Above all, this article reinforced a principle we have all heard before. People want to know how  much you care before they will care about how much you know. Relationships matter.

Women Pastors and the SBC

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It appears that the Georgia Baptist Convention will lose one of their churches. The Associated Baptist Press is reporting this possible separation between the GBC and FBC Decatur, GA. You can read the article here. The reason for this separation is the result of FBC calling a woman as the senior pastor in 2007. There are many opinions as to whether or not this separation should happen. Each SBC church is autonomous and is able to establish their own rules and call the staff members they choose. On the other hand, churches choose to cooperate with their state conventions and SBC because they share like-minded purposes and share the statement of belief known as the Baptist Faith and Message.

I believe heart of the matter here is not whether or not FBC Decatur had the right to call a female pastor. They certainly had that right. The issue is whether or not the GBC can consider FBC Decatur out of fellowship based on the long held and recently affirmed position that scripture teaches that the role of the pastor should be filled by men.  I would expect the GBC, as well as the Florida Baptist Convention, of which I am the pastor of a cooperating church, to consider an SBC that calls a female as pastor to be out of fellowship.

 In the article above, a hint is given as to how all of this came about. FBC Decatur has ties with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The CBF is a baptist denomination that broke away from the SBC because of their liberal views on issues such as this one.

 What would this separation mean for FBC Decatur? In the event the GBC considered Decatur out of fellowship, they would lose all voting rights at the annual meetings. The separation would also mean the GBC would no longer accept contributions on behalf of FBC Decatur. This is not a matter of just votes and money, it goes much deeper than that. It is a matter of biblical principle. State conventions are not out for just the money the church can contribute. There comes a time when a stand for the Bible must be made, regardless of the outcome.

SBC in Indianapolis

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The messengers of the SBC will ascend upon Indianapolis for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention on June 10-11. This year’s annual meeting should be very vocal and eventful.

 

I have been able to attend several of these meetings in the past (Nashville, Greensboro) and truly enjoyed it. One of the highlights of the trip is the pastor’s conference on the front end of the annual meeting. This conference is a great opportunity to sit, relax, and decompress while you listen to and take in the country’s best preaching and singing.  The theme for this year’s Pastor’s Conference in “Prepare for Rain”. You can view the schedule of speakers here.

 

The annual meeting itself is a mixture of music, biblical messages, and business. The business sessions include election of officers, resolutions, and motions from the floor. This year’s meeting holds one of the most contested presidential races in history. There are 6 candidates for SBC president. Here is a brief introduction of each.

 

1. Dr. Bill Wagner:  Dr. Wagner is a former SBC missionary and current president of Olivet University in San Francisco.

 

2. Dr. Frank Cox:  Dr. Cox is the Senior Pastor of North Metro Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, GA.

 

3. Dr. Avery Willis: Dr. Willis is a former SBC missionary and retired Senior VP of overseas operations for the IMB.

 

4. Les Puryear: Les is the Senior Pastor of the Lewisville Baptist Church in Lewisville, NC.

 

5. Dr. Johnny Hunt:  Dr. Hunt is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA.

 

6. Wiley Drake:  Wiley is the Senior Pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, CA, and the former 2nd VP of the SBC.

 

Recently all six candidates were asked a series of questions covering critical topics such as IMB guidelines on Baptism and Private Prayer Language, Cooperative Program giving, Calvinism, and others. Their answers can be found here.  If I were attending this year, I would cast my ballot for Dr. Johnny Hunt.

 

There is really no way of knowing just what the messengers will be voting on. During the business sessions, motions can be made on anything. Some can be acted upon from the floor, some will be referred to various committees for action. The messengers this year will have a chance to hear resolutions ranging from Integrity in Church Membership to Equality in Ethnic Representation.

 

It should be very interesting. Our SBC has been going through some bumps in the road over the past several years. I believe we have some difficult years ahead of us. The SBC web site will be live streaming the annual meeting. I encourage you to watch if you have a chance.