The following is a compilation of quotes from the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force final report (that, I understand, was adopted by an estimated 3-1 margin at SBC 2010) These quotes contain every reference to associations in the report.
In studying the report I see a renewed emphasis on the autonomy of the local church and support for the local church. This is a much needed emphasis.
I see recognition of all gifts, including giving to the local association, as Great Commission Giving. This strengthens, and could be seen as encouraging, flexibility in giving by the local church. I do not believe that, in itself is a bad thing.
I see recognition that: ” we realize that we cannot direct individual Christians, local churches, associations or state conventions to take any particular or specific action.”
I see an encouragement of individuals, families, churches and associations to participate in direct mission efforts such as helping a nearby church or going to a far away place to do missions. Acts 1:8 at work.
I see an encouragement of local churches and their pastors, as well as associations and state conventions to provide training for and promotion of church planting and evangelism.
I am encouraged, in that we are located in an under served and under reached area of our nation, that emphasis is placed on supporting outreach and strengthening in such areas.
I see nothing in the report that recommends restructuring the governing bodies of associations.
I see nothing in the report that calls for dropping funding for associations.
Until specific actions are taken to implement the GCRTF recommendations we do not have any basis to make changes in our structure, policies or practices other than changes based on our understanding of God’s will for Central New York Baptist Association.
Quotes from GCRTF report:
Page 4:
State conventions are developing new ways of reaching North America, and local associations are devising new ways of linking churches together for ministry.
Page 6
All of our Baptist work beyond the local church must exist solely to serve the local church in this mission. This is true for every Baptist association, state convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention
Page 8
We will recognize the total of all monies channeled through the causes of the Southern Baptist Convention, the state conventions, and associations as Great Commission Giving.
Page 9
We call upon all Southern Baptists to celebrate every dollar given by faithful Southern Baptists as part of Great Commission Giving, including designated gifts given to any Baptist association, state convention, and to the causes of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Page 17
We hold to an ecclesiology that honors and affirms both autonomy and cooperation.
The Great Commission Resurgence Task Force is well aware of this, and we realize that we cannot direct individual Christians, local churches, associations or state conventions to take any particular or specific action.
Page 18
Under “Challenges for Individual Christians”
Participate in a North American or international mission trip sponsored by your church or association at least once every four years.
Page 19
Under “Challenges for Individual Families”
Spend a family vacation participating in a local church or association sponsored mission trip.
Under “Challenges for Local Churches and Pastors”
Become knowledgeable of the mission field of your specific region, identifying the various people groups and developing a strategy to penetrate the lostness in your region. Be intentional in working with your local association, state convention and NAMB in pursuing this task.
Page 21
Under “Challenges for Local Churches and Pastors”
Get involved in a regular church planting program at some level of your congregation’s capability. This can include specific partnerships with another church, your association, state convention or NAMB.
Plan at least one evangelism training course annually for your church members; consider inviting members of other churches in your association to participate, especially smaller churches.
Plan at least one North American or international mission trip a year and/or encourage members to participate in mission trips sponsored by a local association.
Pages 22-23
Challenges for Local Associations
Enthusiastically embrace the missional vision and core values of the SBC allowing them to guide your work and set your priorities.
Adopt the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 as your confessional basis of association and adopt some shared core values and priorities that characterize the cooperating churches of your association.
Organize quarterly associational prayer meetings for the conversion of the lost and the planting of sound churches in the underserved and unreached areas of North America and around the globe.
Work with state conventions and the SBC to set aside January of every year as a month of prayer for the conversion of unreached people groups around the globe.
Plan at least one annual foreign mission trip and one annual North
American mission trip and encourage all the churches in the association to participate, especially smaller churches.
Develop associational collections of evangelism and discipleship resources and regularly inform the churches about the availability of such resources.
Work with cooperating churches to plant at least one new church a year in an underserved area within or near to the association.
Work with cooperating churches to plan at least one mercy ministry focused outreach event every year.
Page 24
Under “Challenges for State Conventions”
Work with local associations and local churches to plan regional evangelism and discipleship training events on at least a semiannual basis.
Page 25
Under “Challenges for the Seminaries”
Cooperate with local associations, state conventions, NAMB and the IMB in planning and hosting church planting training that puts international missions and church planting in the life blood of all the students our churches entrust to your care.
No comments:
Post a Comment