Churches, Institutions, and Denominations…A Jesus Agenda-Kingdom Response

I left off yesterday asking how we can get the Jesus Agenda done while we have an opportunity. I think we need churches, institutions, and denominations to work together in a way that demonstrates maximum stewardship. That means we adopt a culture that does not tolerate duplication of effort. So what would each group do?

Churches are still at the cutting edge of redemptive reality. The local church has all the resources it needs to get the Jesus agenda done. The resources are in the congregation and in the institutional ministries it supports. Churches are made up of the redeemed. Let them say so and do so. The imaginary and creative capacity of the Kingdom is in the church. In the history of Texas Baptists, local churches saw the need to create institutions to do two things: educate the next generation of leaders and minister to the least of these. In the mid 1800’s we started universities, human welfare agencies, and hospitals. That looks like the Jesus Agenda to me.

Churches started churches, demonstrated evangelistic fervor, and were serious about developing disciples. They also created institutions to educate and to care for the least of these. The institutions became specialized arms for ministry beyond the local church. Today we have 9 universities in Texas, 4 human welfare agencies, and several hospital systems. What an incredible resource. We have all we need to do the Jesus Agenda through local churches and their institutions.

So why do we need a state convention? That is a good question. It is a good question for 2008 as we anticipate the coming of a new Executive Director at the BGCT. If we did not have a BGCT here are a few reasons why I would support starting one:

Coordinate
The convention was created years ago to coordinate ministries of the churches and its institutions. The convention was not created to become an institution but it has moved in that direction to its own peril.

Facilitate
A state convention would be useful to help churches and institutions do together what they could not do by themselves. So what would that be? Pick a societal problem, pick anyone that we would be bold enough to attack and you would find a good reason for the convention to exist. What would our state be like if our convention rallied all its constituent churches to clear the rolls of children waiting to be adopted? What would our state be like if our convention rallied its affiliated churches to give every Texas Baptist youth an opportunity to go to college, effectively eliminating the high school drop out rate among the most under-served and under-represented in higher education.

Catalyze
A state convention could be useful to help catalyze church planting movements and evangelistic creativity. A state convention could help catalyze new possibilities for churches and institutions to advance Kingdom activity in the world.

Comments

[Tim Dahl]

You asked (and ably answered), "So why do we need a state convention?"

My personal response is that we will continue to need a point of connection that works at this level. Granted, it may look a lot different than what we currently have, but there will still be people in North Texas wanting to work with people in South Texas. They will still be looking for a point of connection/leverage.

Why the BGCT? I think there are two reasons: 1) We still have some wonderful institutions (HPU!) that are effectively promoted/funded through our collective body (BGCT). 2) There is little need to reinvent the wheel; though the tire may need LOTS of maintenance, and maybe some major retreading.

However, for us to be effective; there has to be significant change. If not, then other points of connection will develop, and that will continue to marginalize the BGCT.

Tim Dahl

[Ken Hall]

Dr. Reyes,

My prayer is our appointed and elected BGCT leadership will hear your counsel and act. My hope is that the self appointed critics will also see this is the kind of solution that will excite the churches and faithful Baptists. My fear is that leadership will continue to adjust the edges while the critics gripe and insult and in turn nothing ever gets done.

[Albert Reyes]

Tim, I think those points of connectivity are already springing up. I am hopeful for a future that will bring the best of what we have in our churches and institutions to do Kingdom work. But, you are dead on...we must have change, not incremental change but foundational change. Therein lies the key. We need to seek the counsel of change agents who have experience leading change in organizations. It is an art with identified competencies.

[Albert Reyes]

Bro. Ken, I think we have a limited window of opportunity to pray for and hope for a turn-around experience in our Baptist family. This window will require our best support, keen application of skills for leading change, and cohesive stewardship of resources. In the meantime, we are providing ways for churches to connect with other churches while on mission to serve the least of these. The risen Lord waits for us to join him in his redemptive activity. Thanks for leading the way.