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Pointing to excellence

Sometimes I think that all I do on this blog is point people to other blogs. I’ve decided that if others can say it better than there’s no need for me to rehash it, unless I have something new to say.

That being said I want to point you to a few particularly good articles.

1. Wade’s decision regarding IMB Trustee accountability.

2. Baptist Press’ version of Wade’s decision regarding the IMB Trustee’s and accountability. (I particularly love John Floyd’s “no comment.”)

3. Ben Cole’s treatment of why he will not vote for Ronnie Floyd.

114921171486636906

Pointing to excellence

Sometimes I think that all I do on this blog is point people to other blogs. I’ve decided that if others can say it better than there’s no need for me to rehash it, unless I have something new to say.

That being said I want to point you to a few particularly good articles.

1. Wade’s decision regarding IMB Trustee accountability.

2. Baptist Press’ version of Wade’s decision regarding the IMB Trustee’s and accountability. (I particularly love John Floyd’s “no comment.”)

3. Ben Cole’s treatment of why he will not vote for Ronnie Floyd.

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Calling all travelers

I am very excited about getting the chance to meet each of you in a week or so in Greensboro. I’ll be staying, along with my buddy John Stickley, in High Point at the Fairfield Suites. We will will also be spending (thanks to United changing our flight) 4-5 hours in O’Hare on Sunday night, waiting for our connection to Greensboro. So, if you happen to be flying through O’Hare on Sunday night, let me know and we’ll get together during the layover. If you are interested in getting together at some point during the convention let me know either by commenting here, or emailing me micah[at]friesville[dot]com. We’ll work something out.

114919948386145306

Calling all travelers

I am very excited about getting the chance to meet each of you in a week or so in Greensboro. I’ll be staying, along with my buddy John Stickley, in High Point at the Fairfield Suites. We will will also be spending (thanks to United changing our flight) 4-5 hours in O’Hare on Sunday night, waiting for our connection to Greensboro. So, if you happen to be flying through O’Hare on Sunday night, let me know and we’ll get together during the layover. If you are interested in getting together at some point during the convention let me know either by commenting here, or emailing me micah[at]friesville[dot]com. We’ll work something out.

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It won’t change much…

That’s my perception, anyway, of Bobby Welch’s call for church’s to hold two revivals per year. According to Welch, if churches were to do so, “it would change everything…” This, to me, is another example in the gap concerning the methodology of many within our convention. I think we are, far too often, holding firm in our belief that a revival is a tremendous method of evangelical success. I think much of our misunderstanding comes from a failed understanding of “revival success.” I have no desire to see more “professions of faith.” I desire to see disciples. People who not only claim to follow Christ, but who live like it as well.

Welch’s own church is a study in this in that over the past 10 years they have baptized almost 4,000 people and only seen an increase in Sunday morning attendance of 25 people. Lest you think that I’m simply trying to undermine Welch’s church, please understand that this is something that I’m dealing with in my own church as well. In my time that I’ve been at our church, we’ve increased our baptisms every year. We’ve also seen growth in attendance yet we’ve seen probably 65% of those we’ve baptized fail to be consistent in their faith just one year down the road.

I’ve posted in the past about my concerns in regard to effective evangelism. I’m becoming more and more passionate about our need to create authentic disciples and not simply converts. So, in in response to Welch’s statement that revivals are the answer I say no, they are not. I’m afraid we’ve misunderstood evangelism almost entirely and we need to reconsider who and what we are called to do. We need to understand that numbers should not be the driving factor and that changed lives, authentic disciples, should be. I asked this once before but I’ll pose the question again in hopes that it causes many to think, what does authentic, effective evangelism look like?

114917305721664950

It won’t change much…

That’s my perception, anyway, of Bobby Welch’s call for church’s to hold two revivals per year. According to Welch, if churches were to do so, “it would change everything…” This, to me, is another example in the gap concerning the methodology of many within our convention. I think we are, far too often, holding firm in our belief that a revival is a tremendous method of evangelical success. I think much of our misunderstanding comes from a failed understanding of “revival success.” I have no desire to see more “professions of faith.” I desire to see disciples. People who not only claim to follow Christ, but who live like it as well.

Welch’s own church is a study in this in that over the past 10 years they have baptized almost 4,000 people and only seen an increase in Sunday morning attendance of 25 people. Lest you think that I’m simply trying to undermine Welch’s church, please understand that this is something that I’m dealing with in my own church as well. In my time that I’ve been at our church, we’ve increased our baptisms every year. We’ve also seen growth in attendance yet we’ve seen probably 65% of those we’ve baptized fail to be consistent in their faith just one year down the road.

I’ve posted in the past about my concerns in regard to effective evangelism. I’m becoming more and more passionate about our need to create authentic disciples and not simply converts. So, in in response to Welch’s statement that revivals are the answer I say no, they are not. I’m afraid we’ve misunderstood evangelism almost entirely and we need to reconsider who and what we are called to do. We need to understand that numbers should not be the driving factor and that changed lives, authentic disciples, should be. I asked this once before but I’ll pose the question again in hopes that it causes many to think, what does authentic, effective evangelism look like?

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Not gone, not forgotten

It’s quite possible, with all the talk about presidential races, annual meeting schedules, etc. to think that many of us have forgotten that which started us on this journey of SBC reformation. The narrowing of parameters within the SBC, and particularly the problems within the IMB as seen in the new policies regarding Baptism and private prayer language and also seen in the almost dismissal of the Dobbs’ from IMB service in West Africa.

It’s important to reiterate that I have not forgotten and that I, and many others, will continue to emphasize the necessity of correcting these poor decisions. In light of that, IMB missionary David Rogers (who is also Adrian Rogers’ son) continues to post fantastic thoughts on his blog. He has just posted some thoughts about “baptistic” church planting that I think would be very helpful for all of us to read. I’d encourage you to check it out here.

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After some time to think

I’ve spent a good deal of time thinking about the conversation I joined yesterday in regards to the new Missional Network coming from NAMB. As I think about it I get increasingly more excited, and more cautious, at the same time.

First of all, I’m excited because the thought of helping like minded, missional people connect is positive, and necessary. There is no doubt that those who think this way are a minority in most local SBC associations, and so this kind of networking can be a very positive experience. It’s also exciting because of its potential to take uninformed, yet interested, people and help introduce and educate them regarding missional thinking. It will provide a positive environment to research and decide what one thinks about the concept.

Secondly, though, it is something that gives me pause for a variety of reasons. It bothers me, primarily though, because one of the significant factors in the spread of missional thinking, to this point, has been its organic nature. I really fear the beaurocracy that we often overdevelop in SBC life. We are the world’s best at finding something that looks right, and looks effective, and then smothering it with adminstration.

Now, having said that, I sincerely trust Ed Stetzer greatly, and I have heard fantastic things about John Avant. The fact that these men are spearheading this effort gives me reason to trust this thing much more. So, as an overall rule, I’m positive concerning the move. I’m looking forward to watching it unite, and I hope (and pray) that it doesn’t develop into a typical SBC behemoth that struggles with inneficiency.

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Missional Network

I had the chance to join with a group of other missionaly minded thinkers from around our convention today on a conference call that was hosted by Ed Stetzer and John Avant. During this call we discussed the upcoming Younger Leaders Meeting on June 12th at the SBC Convention. Stetzer also announced that NAMB was forming a new network for missional thinkers to link together from across our convention. They have established a website and will officially kick off the network at the Younger Leaders Meeting in June. I would encourage you to check out the website, register, and prepare to establish new relationships through this venue.

114902192418019893

Missional Network

I had the chance to join with a group of other missionaly minded thinkers from around our convention today on a conference call that was hosted by Ed Stetzer and John Avant. During this call we discussed the upcoming Younger Leaders Meeting on June 12th at the SBC Convention. Stetzer also announced that NAMB was forming a new network for missional thinkers to link together from across our convention. They have established a website and will officially kick off the network at the Younger Leaders Meeting in June. I would encourage you to check out the website, register, and prepare to establish new relationships through this venue.