Comments on: Praying for Great Commission Resurgence Task Force http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force A forum for Baptists to dialogue about how best to fulfill God’s calling in our lives. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:58:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Tim Rogers http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8812 Tim Rogers Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:08:48 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8812 Brother Les, You seem to be correct, but I am referencing a shift in location. It was this mega-church conference group that elected Jim Henry. Blessings, Tim Brother Les,

You seem to be correct, but I am referencing a shift in location. It was this mega-church conference group that elected Jim Henry.

Blessings,
Tim

]]> By: Les Puryear http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8811 Les Puryear Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:02:20 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8811 Why is anyone saying "the mega-church pastors are <b>going to be</b> the next kingmakers." They always have been and will continue to do so. Les Why is anyone saying “the mega-church pastors are going to be the next kingmakers.” They always have been and will continue to do so.

Les

]]> By: Rob Ayers http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8810 Rob Ayers Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:48:42 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8810 Tim, You said, "It does seem that the mega-church pastors are going to be the next 'king-makers' of the convention." If that be the case, then it will only produce more division and less unity. Instead of finding solutions for the whole, their solutions I fear will only benefit themselves, accentuating their uniqness rather than their scriptural obligations of "those who are given, much is required." As such I believe your post is spot on to give us some parameters on outcomes. Rob Tim,

You said, “It does seem that the mega-church pastors are going to be the next ‘king-makers’ of the convention.” If that be the case, then it will only produce more division and less unity. Instead of finding solutions for the whole, their solutions I fear will only benefit themselves, accentuating their uniqness rather than their scriptural obligations of “those who are given, much is required.” As such I believe your post is spot on to give us some parameters on outcomes.

Rob

]]> By: Tim Rogers http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8809 Tim Rogers Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:44:28 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8809 Brother Tim B, You make a very relevant point with the small church needing the state convention and association. Many small churches derive their resources and their fellowship within the association of pastors while our mega-church pastors provide their own resources and attend few, if any, associational fellowhips. Brother Les, Thank you for not saying that. :) Blessings, Tim Brother Tim B,

You make a very relevant point with the small church needing the state convention and association. Many small churches derive their resources and their fellowship within the association of pastors while our mega-church pastors provide their own resources and attend few, if any, associational fellowhips.

Brother Les,

Thank you for not saying that. :)

Blessings,
Tim

]]> By: Les Puryear http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8808 Les Puryear Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:37:38 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8808 Tim, Or I could say that I'm glad to see you moving away from the Patterson worship of so many of our peers and moving more toward a point of view that is more in agreement with my own, but I won't say that either. :-) Les Tim,

Or I could say that I’m glad to see you moving away from the Patterson worship of so many of our peers and moving more toward a point of view that is more in agreement with my own, but I won’t say that either. :-)

Les

]]> By: Tim B http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8807 Tim B Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:34:50 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8807 Tim, I believe that one of the dangers of the under weighting of small church pastors on this committee will be the underestimating of the value of state convention and associational work. Large churches don't need associations and conventions. Many small churches draw from the resources of the State convention and associations. Unfortunately, their voice will be muted although I am confident that Robert White will not back down from anyone. Every entity ought to be constantly examining itself to determine if the ministers and ministries they are funding are the best use of cp dollars. I am not sure that the leaders of churches who do not use or need the support of State conventions and associations are the best people to do that analysis. Tim,

I believe that one of the dangers of the under weighting of small church pastors on this committee will be the underestimating of the value of state convention and associational work. Large churches don’t need associations and conventions. Many small churches draw from the resources of the State convention and associations. Unfortunately, their voice will be muted although I am confident that Robert White will not back down from anyone. Every entity ought to be constantly examining itself to determine if the ministers and ministries they are funding are the best use of cp dollars. I am not sure that the leaders of churches who do not use or need the support of State conventions and associations are the best people to do that analysis.

]]> By: Tim Rogers http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8806 Tim Rogers Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:59:36 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8806 Brother Paul, We agree that politics will play a role in this endeavor. I believe you are correct that we need to strive to do all we can to make certain we answer a very personal question; "What are we doing this for?" Brother Les, Thanks for the encouraging words. I could be sarcastic and say; "I knew I would win you over to my way of thinking." But, that is not what I will do. :) Brother Rob, I believe there is representation from one church running no more than 200 and representation of one church running no more than 500 in worship. The rest either attend or are pastors of churches considered mega-churches. As I said about the politics of this situation, there is a mega-church conference open only by invitation to other mega-church pastors. The GCR took on legs after this past year's conference. It does seem that the mega-church pastors are going to be the next "king-makers" of the convention. I am also praying that these men of God keep their focus on Kingdom of God building. Blessings, Tim Brother Paul,

We agree that politics will play a role in this endeavor. I believe you are correct that we need to strive to do all we can to make certain we answer a very personal question; “What are we doing this for?”

Brother Les,

Thanks for the encouraging words. I could be sarcastic and say; “I knew I would win you over to my way of thinking.” But, that is not what I will do. :)

Brother Rob,

I believe there is representation from one church running no more than 200 and representation of one church running no more than 500 in worship. The rest either attend or are pastors of churches considered mega-churches. As I said about the politics of this situation, there is a mega-church conference open only by invitation to other mega-church pastors. The GCR took on legs after this past year’s conference. It does seem that the mega-church pastors are going to be the next “king-makers” of the convention. I am also praying that these men of God keep their focus on Kingdom of God building.

Blessings,
Tim

]]> By: Rob Ayers http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8805 Rob Ayers Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:37:17 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8805 Tim, Great post. With Paul, I am concerned with the totally abysmal representation of the small church on the task force, as well as the regional mis-representation. For example, there are only three members of 22 who are church representatives west of the Mississippi river. I think the appointments need to be revisited if the goal is for transparency and unity-of-purpose. On Wednesday I will have an open letter posted to Dr. Hunt on SBCImpact about these very points. I would appreciate your comments. Rob Tim,

Great post. With Paul, I am concerned with the totally abysmal representation of the small church on the task force, as well as the regional mis-representation. For example, there are only three members of 22 who are church representatives west of the Mississippi river. I think the appointments need to be revisited if the goal is for transparency and unity-of-purpose.

On Wednesday I will have an open letter posted to Dr. Hunt on SBCImpact about these very points. I would appreciate your comments.

Rob

]]> By: Les Puryear http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8804 Les Puryear Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:19:35 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8804 Tim, One of the best posts I have ever read of yours. I agree whoeheartedly with your exhortations for prayer. May God be glorified! Les Tim,

One of the best posts I have ever read of yours. I agree whoeheartedly with your exhortations for prayer. May God be glorified!

Les

]]> By: Paul Kullman http://sbctoday.com/2009/07/20/praying-for-great-commission-resurgence-task-force/#comment-8803 Paul Kullman Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:46:08 +0000 http://sbctoday.com/?p=1253#comment-8803 Tim: Very in-depth synopsis of what we all hope the GCR could be. I, like you, have been waiting for movement within the SBC for a long time. This has the potential to really give us forward momentum at a time when Evangelical Christianity so desperately needs a deep inventory of its purpose and direction. That inventory and reflection should always point us back to our charge from the Lord Himself - the Great Commission. We need this task force to re-evaluate what works and does not work, and then have the courage to change it, not "birth" another bureaucracy with a denominational leader waiting in the wings. Politics is a part of the process to get things accomplished. However, personalities and agendas will be rise up during the journey. Others need to prayerfully ask, "Is this what Jesus originally intended for the Church to do Kingdom work?" If not, then strike it! The mood of the "rank & file" SBC member is running parallel to the politics in Washington which promises everything to get elected, then business as usual once the election is over. This is true regardless of party affiliation. People have had enough of empty promises and rhetoric. Do what is needed and be true to our calling. Also, I do not understand why the megachurches are always heavily represented is these endeavors when the vast majority of membership resides in the smaller churches. I like to think Johnny Hunt did not discount what input ALL Southern Baptists have for what could be a historic undertaking. Time will tell, but I will be one of those committed to pray and stand ready to act when called upon. We have no other choice except to do little or nothing, and that is not an option. Tim:
Very in-depth synopsis of what we all hope the GCR could be. I, like you, have been waiting for movement within the SBC for a long time. This has the potential to really give us forward momentum at a time when Evangelical Christianity so desperately needs a deep inventory of its purpose and direction. That inventory and reflection should always point us back to our charge from the Lord Himself – the Great Commission. We need this task force to re-evaluate what works and does not work, and then have the courage to change it, not “birth” another bureaucracy with a denominational leader waiting in the wings. Politics is a part of the process to get things accomplished. However, personalities and agendas will be rise up during the journey. Others need to prayerfully ask, “Is this what Jesus originally intended for the Church to do Kingdom work?” If not, then strike it!
The mood of the “rank & file” SBC member is running parallel to the politics in Washington which promises everything to get elected, then business as usual once the election is over. This is true regardless of party affiliation. People have had enough of empty promises and rhetoric. Do what is needed and be true to our calling.
Also, I do not understand why the megachurches are always heavily represented is these endeavors when the vast majority of membership resides in the smaller churches. I like to think Johnny Hunt did not discount what input ALL Southern Baptists have for what could be a historic undertaking. Time will tell, but I will be one of those committed to pray and stand ready to act when called upon. We have no other choice except to do little or nothing, and that is not an option.

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