In my first installment on the implications of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report, I noted that the SBC, in its vote, affirmed the importance of 1) proclaiming the gospel world-wide, 2) the ministry of the local church, 3) the Cooperative Program, and 4) denominational partnerships. If you missed them, you can read my remarks at: GCR Creates Opportunities for Louisiana Baptists.

In part two, I plan to address implications from other aspects of the report. 

The GCR report emphasized the primacy of the work of the International Mission Board. We Southern Baptists, who have prayed fervently, labored mightily and given generously for our overseas missions, enthusiastically expressed our continued commitment to take the gospel to all the peoples of the earth.

The report recommends two new initiatives to accelerate the work of the IMB 

The first calls for utilization of IMB expertise with international peoples who reside in the USA. This needs to be executed carefully so there is not duplication, miscommunication and loss of resources for the overseas mission. However, it has potential for helping existing churches and denominational ministries. It could more affectively and aggressively accelerate evangelism efforts to reach the “world” that has come to our doorstep. IMB leaders would be wise to purposely involve local Southern Baptists in these stateside endeavors.

The second initiative calls for CP allocation to “break the fifty percent barrier” by assigning 51 % of the CP receipts to the IMB. The report recommends the 1% reallocation come from the Executive Committee budget. If Southern Baptists will increase their gifts though the CP as called for elsewhere in the report, the increase would be a much easier step. I hope accelerated giving makes possible even more dramatic allocations to IMB while keeping appropriate funding for the rest of our cooperative work and the ministries of our local churches.

Another recommendation challenges state conventions to take the lead in Cooperative Program promotion and stewardship education. 

State conventions already are heavily involved with this. At the same time, the report implies a lessened role for the SBC Executive Committee and actually recommends removal of funds budgeted for CP and stewardship work. This could be problematic. I am enthusiastic about a nationwide CP emphasis (which the report calls for by 2013). I’ve been pushing for this for years.

To do this successfully, we need to provide enough resources to execute the promotion effectively. I know money is needed for an array of ministries (e.g., IMB as above), but if we are not careful we will “eat our seed corn.” The SBC needs to look at other parts of the budget, in addition to scrutinizing the Executive Committee, for inefficient spending and reallocate those resources appropriately, especially to CP and stewardship emphases. This could actually help procure more funding.

My final comments will address attitudinal implications rather than the specific “structural” measures the report proposed. 

Southern Baptists will find a way to adjust ministry assignments and budget allocations, such as these most recently adopted by the convention. The weightier matters concern our hearts.

One attitude that concerns me is related to the spirit of cooperation among Southern Baptists. The GCR report touches on this. The values the convention adopted include: Unity (We work together in love for the sake of the gospel); Relationships (We consider others more important than ourselves); Trust (We tell each other the truth in love and do what we say we will do); and Future (We value Southern Baptists of all generations and embrace our responsibility to pass this charge to a rising generation in every age, faithful until Jesus comes).

These values are embodied and expressed when Southern Baptists cooperate. Everything about them insists that we love each other, and that we embrace the other’s ministry, and that, setting aside personal preferences, we seek the good of the whole.

However, some voices in Southern Baptist life, even among those most enthusiastic about the GCR, are speaking in ways that undermine this spirit. When I hear things like “if the music doesn’t suit me, I’m not going to attend,” or “if the convention’s budget allocation isn’t what I want, I’m going to discourage my church from giving,” or “if I can’t be personally involved in the decision-making or the implementation of the ministry, I’m not going to participate,” I wonder if we understand what cooperation means.

Our larger Southern Baptist enterprises, our far reaching, global and generational ministries require that I be enthusiastic not only about the part I’m in charge of but also the part my brother is in charge of. SBC work will fail if I only support my preferences and not those we decide on together.

While I appreciate the measure of independence we Baptists prize, I worry it will be the undoing of our common gospel mission as Southern Baptists. I hope the call for renewed gospel proclamation contained in the GCR report is also a call to do it together.

My last comment concerns another heart issue. 

The GCR report names Christ-likeness as the first core value: We depend on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and prayer to make us more like Jesus Christ. I believe this value is central to a Great Commission Resurgence in our context. It is so easy to move right ahead with our plans of action without getting our hearts, our families, and our churches right with God.

No amount of structural changes can fix what ails our culture or our convention. We need God. We need a revival of holiness, submission, and sacrifice.

 I pray the GCR report has caused Southern Baptists to consider the seriousness of our need and will cause us to humble ourselves before God. I know you join me in this heartfelt hunger. Let’s pursue God.

Part of our pursuit involves collectively seeking the Lord. Our president, Dr. Mastellar has invited our LBC pastors to join him August 9 at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport for a special time of prayer from 10 am until 3 pm. Pray that this will be the start of a Great Commission Resurgence in our state.

Thanks for your prayers and comments.