More on Dr. Crews "Strategy for Renewal.'
Several years ago- a couple of exec. dir's ago, a model called 'field-based' ministry was developed and planned. However, in a series of personnel moves, the plan fell through the cracks and died an untimely death.
Dr. Crews' Strategy is reminiscent of this idea in that the two 'non- negotiables'(that's my word, not necessarily his), are: 1. Helping churches become healthy; 2. planting new, healthy churches.
The primary thrust of the strategy is bringing resources closer to the local church. As Southern Baptists we have long promoted the church- the local, visible, autonomous, gathering of the people of God- as the primary vehicle for the proclamation of the glory of God (See Eph. 3:10). But in practicality, most resources have been given to associations- local, most often geographical groups of churches in doctrinal agreement, and the denomination- state and regional collections of churches, and the national denomination- which supports seminary's, international and continental mission efforts and a few other tasks- the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, etc....
If we truly believe that the local church is the most viable and visible expression of the Kingdom of God then it makes sense as associations, and state and regional entities to put as many resources as we can near the local churches.
Dr. Crews' proposal does that. In creating at least 6 (maybe more) regions across the Northwest and staffing the regions with church health specialists and evangelism specialists (those labels are currently the ones used by the North American Mission Board- a primary vehicle of funding and support for state conventions).
However this strategy is fleshed out, churches should be the winner. Churches- local gatherings of the people of God- are the front lines of sharing the gospel, discipling believers, and demonstrating the presence and power of the living God.
Southern Baptists have long worn the label, 'A People of the Book' and we have fought the wars necessary to stand for the authority and inerrancy of the Word of God.
Let us now add to that label- The Church: Letting God's Glory Shine!
Steve
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Renewal, Revival, Redirection
My wife is a member of the Executive Board of the Northwest Baptist Convention. This group of pastors and laypersons represents the messengers of the 420 churches that voluntarily identify themselves with the NWBC.
Last year, Dr. Bill Crews, then interim Executive Director (and since Nov. 2007 full time Exec. Dir.)shared a statistical overview of the population growth of the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, the Idaho panhandle, and a few scattered churches in Northern California) and church growth among Southern Baptist Churches. The statistics were favorable- if you happen to believe that there is no God, that hell is a figment of some one's imagination, and that Jesus was merely a great teacher who left a remarkable example. If you believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for sin, that Jesus is the way, the life, and the truth, then the news was bad, very bad.
The upshot of all this is a proposal put forth by Dr. Crews to reorient the resources of our NWBC in what he calls a "Strategy for Renewal." I won't go into the details here- most of which haven't been fleshed out anyway, but what I can say is that the Executive Board, after a long and fruitful discussion, approved the new direction (with only two dissenting votes that I could see from my vantage point at the back of the room). By early September Dr. Crews hopes to have a more fully developed proposal that can be voted on by the convention in our annual meeting in November- which happens to be the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Northwest Baptist Convention.
I believe that something has to change. Our churches- let me be candid, my church- is not reaching people with the gospel. We are not impacting the lostness of our culture. We are attracting about the same number of people to worship and Vacation Bible School and other Bible teaching opportunities as we always have- there have been a few years when our average attendance was higher than it is currently, and a few years it has been lower- but in the past 17 years we aren't making any more of a difference than we were before.
Multiply this by over 400 churches and you discover that although population continues to grow in the Northwest, churches- at least Southern Baptist churches- are losing ground.
So, change- while formidable, frightening, and even foreboding- must occur. Several asked my opinion. Simply put- Is Dr. Crews suggestion the only way to reorder our resources? I don't know. But I don't see any other alternative strategies being suggested. Will this strategy work for every church? I seriously doubt it. If it enables 25% or 40% or 50% of Southern Baptist churches to become more effective at reaching their communities for Jesus Christ- seeing people come to faith, making disciples, changing the godless culture in which our churches are located, the strategy will be worth whatever the cost.
Bottom line- as an older pastor (I am over 50) I have fewer years of ministry ahead of me than behind me, and I want to be desperate enough for God to use me in Winston to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ, to see the number of believers who are growing into fully formed followers of Jesus Christ increase, and to make a difference in the world in which we live.
Steve
Last year, Dr. Bill Crews, then interim Executive Director (and since Nov. 2007 full time Exec. Dir.)shared a statistical overview of the population growth of the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, the Idaho panhandle, and a few scattered churches in Northern California) and church growth among Southern Baptist Churches. The statistics were favorable- if you happen to believe that there is no God, that hell is a figment of some one's imagination, and that Jesus was merely a great teacher who left a remarkable example. If you believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for sin, that Jesus is the way, the life, and the truth, then the news was bad, very bad.
The upshot of all this is a proposal put forth by Dr. Crews to reorient the resources of our NWBC in what he calls a "Strategy for Renewal." I won't go into the details here- most of which haven't been fleshed out anyway, but what I can say is that the Executive Board, after a long and fruitful discussion, approved the new direction (with only two dissenting votes that I could see from my vantage point at the back of the room). By early September Dr. Crews hopes to have a more fully developed proposal that can be voted on by the convention in our annual meeting in November- which happens to be the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Northwest Baptist Convention.
I believe that something has to change. Our churches- let me be candid, my church- is not reaching people with the gospel. We are not impacting the lostness of our culture. We are attracting about the same number of people to worship and Vacation Bible School and other Bible teaching opportunities as we always have- there have been a few years when our average attendance was higher than it is currently, and a few years it has been lower- but in the past 17 years we aren't making any more of a difference than we were before.
Multiply this by over 400 churches and you discover that although population continues to grow in the Northwest, churches- at least Southern Baptist churches- are losing ground.
So, change- while formidable, frightening, and even foreboding- must occur. Several asked my opinion. Simply put- Is Dr. Crews suggestion the only way to reorder our resources? I don't know. But I don't see any other alternative strategies being suggested. Will this strategy work for every church? I seriously doubt it. If it enables 25% or 40% or 50% of Southern Baptist churches to become more effective at reaching their communities for Jesus Christ- seeing people come to faith, making disciples, changing the godless culture in which our churches are located, the strategy will be worth whatever the cost.
Bottom line- as an older pastor (I am over 50) I have fewer years of ministry ahead of me than behind me, and I want to be desperate enough for God to use me in Winston to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ, to see the number of believers who are growing into fully formed followers of Jesus Christ increase, and to make a difference in the world in which we live.
Steve
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Saturday
I'm at the church office this beautiful afternoon to conduct a wedding vow renewal service (I'm not really sure what to call these kinds of activities). The couple- celebrating 20 years of marriage (his second, her first) ran away to get married. Now, after 20 years they want their family involved, so we are renewing their vows- with wedding music, flower girls, and a ring-bearer. The bride's father will 'give' his daughter away! Tradition.
It is interesting how 'tradition' continues to be important. This couple is but one example of a hunger for that which defined a past generation. The symbols and practices of the past often don't become important until it seems as though they are perilously close to being lost.
I also updated my profile today- my daughter reminded me- she is no longer a college senior- she is a graduate, with a BS degree in History from Corban College. So...since it is Saturday...and the renewal starts shortly, I guess I'd better scoot...
It is interesting how 'tradition' continues to be important. This couple is but one example of a hunger for that which defined a past generation. The symbols and practices of the past often don't become important until it seems as though they are perilously close to being lost.
I also updated my profile today- my daughter reminded me- she is no longer a college senior- she is a graduate, with a BS degree in History from Corban College. So...since it is Saturday...and the renewal starts shortly, I guess I'd better scoot...
Friday, June 13, 2008
Essentials # 1
The Bible is infallible and timelessly true.
When most Christians hear the word 'revelation' they immediately are drawn to the last book of the New Testament. Interestingly enough, when asked most Christians want to study the book of Revelation. I rarely have heard anyone desire to study Zephaniah, or Micah or some of the other lesser known books. But, anyway...
Where do you begin? Every person has a starting point, a place where their beliefs and values rest. It may be in a creed, it may be in a statement such as "there are absolutely no absolutes (except obviously the statement that there are no absolutes.)" Some would argue that every person is free to create or define their own starting place- which sounds wonderful till the place I choose collides with yours...then who is right?
The Bible opens with the words, "In the beginning God...." That is a starting place. God. He is. He exists. He reveals Himself. The Apostle Paul, writing thousands of years after Moses penned the words of Genesis 1:1 reminds us that God is a revealing God, that God is making Himself known (see Rev. 1:18-following)
Much ink has been spilled over the past generations- some seeking to prove the Bible is true, some seeking to demonstrate that the Bible cannot be true, and some suggesting that there may be truth in the Bible as well as other sacred documents.
The Bible consistently testifies to its own accuracy, authenticity, and authority. The Ten Commandments are said to have been written by the finger of God Himself and given to Moses. The prophetic books of the Old Testament repeats the refrain again and again, "Thus saith the Lord...." Jesus spoke of the Old Testament as true. His disciples used passages from the Psalms, from the prophets, from the historical books of the Old Testament as witnesses to the veracity of Jesus, the necessity of His death, and the reality of His resurrection.
Indeed, we need a place to begin. God has spoken. We have His word in the Bible.
We can trust all He said. We can bow in submission to Him as He reveals Himself in His Word.
Next time we'll continue to examine this idea of revelation, inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency.
Till then...
Steve
When most Christians hear the word 'revelation' they immediately are drawn to the last book of the New Testament. Interestingly enough, when asked most Christians want to study the book of Revelation. I rarely have heard anyone desire to study Zephaniah, or Micah or some of the other lesser known books. But, anyway...
Where do you begin? Every person has a starting point, a place where their beliefs and values rest. It may be in a creed, it may be in a statement such as "there are absolutely no absolutes (except obviously the statement that there are no absolutes.)" Some would argue that every person is free to create or define their own starting place- which sounds wonderful till the place I choose collides with yours...then who is right?
The Bible opens with the words, "In the beginning God...." That is a starting place. God. He is. He exists. He reveals Himself. The Apostle Paul, writing thousands of years after Moses penned the words of Genesis 1:1 reminds us that God is a revealing God, that God is making Himself known (see Rev. 1:18-following)
Much ink has been spilled over the past generations- some seeking to prove the Bible is true, some seeking to demonstrate that the Bible cannot be true, and some suggesting that there may be truth in the Bible as well as other sacred documents.
The Bible consistently testifies to its own accuracy, authenticity, and authority. The Ten Commandments are said to have been written by the finger of God Himself and given to Moses. The prophetic books of the Old Testament repeats the refrain again and again, "Thus saith the Lord...." Jesus spoke of the Old Testament as true. His disciples used passages from the Psalms, from the prophets, from the historical books of the Old Testament as witnesses to the veracity of Jesus, the necessity of His death, and the reality of His resurrection.
Indeed, we need a place to begin. God has spoken. We have His word in the Bible.
We can trust all He said. We can bow in submission to Him as He reveals Himself in His Word.
Next time we'll continue to examine this idea of revelation, inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency.
Till then...
Steve
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
What a Month
What a month!
Last week my daughter and I travelled by car from Winston OR to Blue Springs MO. We stopped for a couple of days in Rapid City SD to visit my son and his wife, and our granddog- yes, we have a granddog- Slevin.
It was a long trip - on Memorial day we drove almost 1000 miles...through Montana- which is a beautiful state that stretches on and on and on and ....
Now that my daughter is safely with her aunt (my sister) and Cindy's family (her momn, sister and family, brother and family) our life has become fully emptynester time.
Life continues to accelerate at quite a pace. Even though our school year is not over till June 13 (the district had to add snow days...) it seems like summer is already half-over. Of course, today it is cloudy, rainy and could reach a sweltering high of 62 degrees...it makes me wonder if we've already had summer and are now back into fall!
I hope to start posting regularly on the theology issues. I recently proposed a list of essentials to our church- here is that list:
We believe…
1.The Bible is infallible and timelessly true.
2.God is absolutely sovereign and completely knows the future.
3.Jesus was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life.
4.Humans are born with a sin nature that is totally depraved.
5.Jesus’ death is punishment for our sin.
6.Jesus is the only way to salvation.
7.The Holy Spirit is a real person who indwells and empowers believers.
8.Male and female are created in God’s image and created to be complimentary.
9.Hell is a real place of eternal, conscious torment for unbelievers.
10.God’s kingdom will be victorious over human culture.
11.Satan and his demons are real and work in the world even though they are defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ.
12.Baptism by immersion is the appropriate public response to receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
(Adapted from Mark Driscoll, “The Church and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World,” in The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World, ed.’s John Piper and Justin Taylor (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007), 125-147.)
I hope to take each topic and explore what the Bible teaches and how it matters in our lives....
So,
I'll be back!
Steve
Last week my daughter and I travelled by car from Winston OR to Blue Springs MO. We stopped for a couple of days in Rapid City SD to visit my son and his wife, and our granddog- yes, we have a granddog- Slevin.
It was a long trip - on Memorial day we drove almost 1000 miles...through Montana- which is a beautiful state that stretches on and on and on and ....
Now that my daughter is safely with her aunt (my sister) and Cindy's family (her momn, sister and family, brother and family) our life has become fully emptynester time.
Life continues to accelerate at quite a pace. Even though our school year is not over till June 13 (the district had to add snow days...) it seems like summer is already half-over. Of course, today it is cloudy, rainy and could reach a sweltering high of 62 degrees...it makes me wonder if we've already had summer and are now back into fall!
I hope to start posting regularly on the theology issues. I recently proposed a list of essentials to our church- here is that list:
We believe…
1.The Bible is infallible and timelessly true.
2.God is absolutely sovereign and completely knows the future.
3.Jesus was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life.
4.Humans are born with a sin nature that is totally depraved.
5.Jesus’ death is punishment for our sin.
6.Jesus is the only way to salvation.
7.The Holy Spirit is a real person who indwells and empowers believers.
8.Male and female are created in God’s image and created to be complimentary.
9.Hell is a real place of eternal, conscious torment for unbelievers.
10.God’s kingdom will be victorious over human culture.
11.Satan and his demons are real and work in the world even though they are defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ.
12.Baptism by immersion is the appropriate public response to receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
(Adapted from Mark Driscoll, “The Church and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World,” in The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World, ed.’s John Piper and Justin Taylor (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007), 125-147.)
I hope to take each topic and explore what the Bible teaches and how it matters in our lives....
So,
I'll be back!
Steve
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