D-Day is here. Tuesday at 2:45 PM the most important debate within the Southern Baptist Convention in 26 years takes place in Orlando, FL. Tomorrow the much discussed, promoted and feared Great Commission Resurgence proposal will be debated and is supposed to be voted upon at some point this week. The future direction of the Southern Baptist Convention could be at stake.
The most controversial and discussed proposal is the change that could occur regarding how individual churches giving is counted to the convention. Since 1925 churches percentages as related to total giving in the church and the individual churches giving to the Cooperative Program has been the benchmark within the SBC. If a church had a total giving of say $100,000 and gave $10,000, or 10%, that was the stated goal of the convention. The only giving that counted was to the Cooperative Program.
This week all of that could change, as the GCR document now proposes that all giving to SBC causes should be included meaning that Cooperative Program giving becomes merely a part of what is counted, not the standard. This proposed change has caused an uproar among many Southern Baptists.
Since 1925 Southern Baptists have recognized that we can accomplish more together, pooling our money, than we can as individual churches. For small churches, which make up approximately 80% of the convention, it represents a way to be a part of worldwide missions when as an individual church, because of limited monetary capabilities, it would be a nearly impossible task. All of that could change this week.
What is proposed is to change the designation from Cooperative Program giving to Great Commission giving. Great Commission giving would entail all giving to any SBC organization, instead of just the Cooperative Program. Many fear this could cripple the Cooperative Program, and create a competition for dollars because of the change to designated giving. 4 years ago in Greensboro, NC at the annual SBC convention this was such an important topic that a virtually unknown pastor from Taylors, SC named Frank Page was elected on the first ballot as SBC President, namely because his church, Taylors First Baptist, was a faithful giver to the Cooperative Program, giving well over 10% of church donations. His opponent, Ronnie Floyd, who chairs the GCR Task Force which has submitted the Great Commission Resurgence document for consideration, pastored a church that gave less than one half of one percent to the Cooperative Program. 4 years ago the SBC seemed to take a stand on this issue. How far we have come in 4 years.
Other sure to be debated points will be a complete restructuring of NAMB(North American Missions Board) and new responsibilities for IMB(International Mission Board), but the change from Cooperative Program giving to Great Commission giving will be the most hotly contested recommendation.
As I've stated many times before, I expect a very heated and divisive convention. I believe we will see divides between the older SBC members and the younger; the small churches and the large and mega churches; and between local state conventions and the national convention. As members of SBC churches, we need to be in deep prayer for the Holy Spirit to be in control of these debates, and for our fleshly attitudes to be bound. A heated debate that divides us as a convention is the last thing we need at this point. That however, is what concerns me. I don't pretend to have all the answers to our problems in the SBC. I hope we will show Godly wisdom and consideration for each others views, and be willing to compromise on some of the sticking points. If both sides dig in, it could get ugly.
In 1984-85 the SBC confirmed the conservative resurgence which led to our convention regaining it's biblical focus, and returning to the authority of the bible. That debate was over biblical issues. This is a debate over methodology. Which makes it very different. To take a stand for the bible and have division, is well, biblical. To have a deep divide over methodology is not. Be in prayer with me for the leaders and messengers in Orlando this week, that however this debate turns out, that the will of God, and not the will of man, is what prevails. Otherwise, dark days could be ahead for the Southern Baptist Convention.
Jeff, Thanks for clarifying some of the points on this issue. From what I've read, I think I'm opposed to this, but, like you, I do pray that God's will is done so our convention can move on to sharing Jesus with the world.
ReplyDeleteHey Rudy, I like alot of what it says, but have alot of questions as well. Many(including me) believe this could be a power play by the larger churches. Most pastors down here are against it, and many state conventions, especially in new work states, are terrified because of the funding cuts that would occur if this is passed. I really hope we take a closer look, seems as though it's being rammed down our throats, with the vote occuring just 1 month after the document was released
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