The Baptist Standard

Amarillo: Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a dinner sponsored by The Baptist Standard. This meeting was an effort by Marv Knox and The Baptist Standard board to reach out to its readers and supporters.  Anyone paying attention to the news and information business knows it is going through a sea change, and this change is impacting the Standard possibly harder than other Baptist papers because of its unique relationship with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

All the Baptist papers of the other state conventions are the voice of the administration and state leadership. However, the Standard stands apart from the convention.  Not a single door of Cooperative Program money goes to support the Standard. This historic distinction gives the Standard the kind of editorial freedom that no other state paper has. This freedom has allowed the Standard to challenge the convention in days when a challenge and rebuke were in order, and at times this freedom has made the Standard the champion and cheerleader for the BGCT.

In defense and support of this unique position, Marv Knox said, “To be authentic, faith must be free.” I totally agree with him. This is one of the priceless treasures of Baptist life—“freedom,” but as we know all too well freedom comes with responsibility. I must admit I have not always seen eye to eye with Knox on all the complex issues facing the BGCT and the SBC, but I have found in Knox, an editor who seeks the greater good and is willing to dialogue and interact on the issues.  He is an editor with a “pastor’s heart” who uses the power of the pen to seek to advance the cause of Christ in the world. He has also been a strong encourager to me as I sought to introduce change. He treated me as a “real player” in Baptist life when I honestly thought I was out on a limb all by myself.

I would encourage you to read the Baptist Standard, and when you do thank God for the freedom we have as Texas Baptists to be ourselves.

Minnesota/Wisconsin Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

Milwaukee: This week I had the opportunity to go “home” of sorts and participate in the annual meeting of the Minnesota Wisconsin Baptist Convention (MWBC) at Northwest Baptist Church of Milwaukee. I had the honor of being the pastor of Northwest Baptist Church for 1997-2001 (or four winters as my wife refers to our days there).  One of my favorite Wisconsin memories was when the summer came on a “weekend.” Seriously, Milwaukee is a wonderful upper Midwestern city with some of the finest followers of Jesus I have ever had the honor to serve with in my ministry.

Northwest Baptist hosted the convention in the new sanctuary and fellowship hall built by faith and with the cooperation of volunteer teams of Baptist men from across the nation. It was exciting for me to see the tangible growth of the church under the leadership of their pastor Tom Harrington, who served with me as an associate pastor during my days. Tom is a tenacious leader who moved to Milwaukee to earn a PhD in Theology from Marquette, and invested his heart and life into this historic Baptist fellowship.

The MWBC strangely enough started as an association of the Baptist General Convention of Texas over fifty years ago. I guess you would consider this fellowship of church “far North Texas!”  Originally it was a small cluster of Southern Baptist churches founded to offer southerners who moved north a worship expression closer to home. Today, the MWBC is an innovated, committed convention of churches striving to be indigenous to the upper Midwest and share the hope of Christ among a very religious region that strangely enough needs the hope of the gospel clearly articulated. Minnesota and Wisconsin are dotted with cathedral and church buildings, yet most of the people live religious lives devoid of the power of a personal relationship with God.

One of the things I love about the MWBC is the fellowship and deep personally relationships. This is a convention that fights over important matters like “football.” Especially since Bret Favre “fell from grace” and abandoned the Green Bay Packers to leader their arch rivals the Minnesota Vikings. Seriously, apart from the fun rivalries of the region these Baptist have much to teach us about Christian fellowship and cooperation.

Leo Endel is the Executive Director of the MWBC and has done a wonderful job leading the convention through some very challenging days of transition. The BGCT decided a few years ago to change its historic relationship with the MWBC and began cutting its financial support to the convention. These cuts have created quite a challenge and opportunity for this struggling convention. One lost fact in the change of funding was that the multiplied impact. The North American Mission Board matched the Texas funding with doubled its impact, and now doubles the loss. (The actual percentage is 4 to 1, so a gift to MWBC will be multiplied by four). Personally I wish we could have continued our investment in the work up north, but I realize that this kind of relationship could not last forever in light of the BGCT current financial struggles. Fifty years of support was a wonderful expression of partnership and cooperation.

The theme of the convention was “Right here, Right Now.” It was a challenge for the MWBC to step up and meet the challenge of today. Endel in his address challenged the messengers of the convention to focus on the goal of “transformed lives” by making disciples of Jesus. Les Stevens, president of the convention, pointed out the weakness and struggles of the churches, yet how they were uniquely positioned to experience the power and presence of the Lord through a touch of revival. In tough economic times the leaders of the MWBC called the attention of the people to trusting in God.

One of the highlights of the convention was the special music provided by the worship team from Northwest Baptist Church and the choir from Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. The Northwest worship team led the congregation in a variety of contemporary worship songs with great passion. Since I knew most of the worship team personally from my days in Milwaukee it was a moving experience for me to worship with them again. It was exciting to see how they had matured and developed in their faith and musical expressions.

The large choir from Mt. Pilgrim brought heaven down with their powerful expressions of worship from the African-American gospel tradition. Since I was sitting on the front row, I was moved by the power and the passion of the singers. It was clear these songs of worship were coming straight from the heart. It was also fun watching the other messengers from the stoic upper Midwest clapping, standing, and celebrating with me. I think I had a small glimpse of heaven, but I hope when I get there I get a bit more soul and rhythm so I can at least keep up!

Baptist life in Minnesota and Wisconsin is alive and well. Hard days are ahead, but these hardy souls are ready for the task with their eyes fixed on Jesus.

John Ogletree: BGCT Second Vice President Nominee

On October 19^th Bob Fowler, a Houston attorney and former chairman of the BGCT Executive Board, announced his intentions to nominate John Ogletree, founding pastor of First Metropolitan Baptist Church of Houston, as second vice president.

 

I have had the privilege of getting to know Pastor Ogletree over the past few months and have found him to be a good man, and gifted leader. If the messengers of the convention elect both of us to serve, I would be honored to serve with him.  I believe Pastor Ogletree brings valuable experience to the position. As a former chairman of the Executive Board, he knows all too well the inner workings of our Baptist family and convention. He knows the challenges face us, and brings a valuable perspective to our work.

 

Pastor Ogletree has also just completed a term as president of the African American Fellowship (AAF). The AAF is a key part of our Texas Baptist family. The leaders and churches of the AAF are setting the pace for many of us to follow with the innovations in ministry, their commitment to reach into some of the most difficult and challenging communities in our large cities with actions of compassion and powerful expressions of the gospel. Pastor Ogletree and current president Dr. Michael Bell have led the way in helping our Texas Baptist family understand and impact the challenges faced by African Americans all across our state. I believe their contributions have helped the BGCT to be one of the most powerful forces for good in our state in recent years. It should also be noted that in these hard economic times that our African American churches have been leading the way in their sacrificial giving. While many churches and affinity groups have given less in recent years, the AAF has increased their giving. We should all follow their example.

 

On a personal note, a few months ago I found myself in an awkward situation of having offended some of my AAF brothers by some statements I had made. I had not intended to offend, yet my words did. In an effort of reconciliation I approached Pastor Ogletree. In this encounter I found him to be a gracious and understanding man. He received me with mercy, and helped me to understand better life from the perspective of our African American churches. I am indebted to him for sincerity, kindness, and willingness to open his heart to me. I saw Jesus in him, and went away blessed and better equipped to lead.

 

Needless to say, I would be honored to serve along side a man like Pastor Ogletree. He and his wife Evelyn have been significant leaders in our recent past, and I believe are uniquely prepared to help us embrace the future.

The Future of the Texas Baptist Committed

Recently David Currie, Executive Director of the Texas Baptist Committed, stepped down as its leader and there was a public announcement the TBC will be moving their headquarters to Dallas. These historic moves indicate a new day is dawning for the TBC because the challenges faced by the Baptist General Convention of Texas are much different today than they were in days gone by.

 

On October 19^th, Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist Standard, wrote an editorial speculated about what was next for the TBC. In the editorial he championed the work of the TBC during the volatile days of the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention, and the struggle for the soul of the BGCT. Without doubt the TBC stood as a powerful, organized force fighting off the abuses and threats of fundamentalism in Texas Baptist life. As part of their strategy of leadership, the TBC took an aggressive role of endorsing the officers of the BGCT, and giving their stamp of approval to the men and women who held these posts for over fifteen years.

 

In recent years after the split of the Southern Baptists of Texas convention made up of hundreds of former BGCT churches, the challenges facing the BGCT shifted. In fact, if my memory serves correct, Knox spoke of the future challenges facing the convention were those of “winning the peace.”

 

Knox in his editorial called for the TBC to become a “first-rate educational organization.” He noted that Baptists need “to know our heritage.” He also called for the TBC to continue to be on the watch for the “clear” danger of fundamentalism.

 

As I reflect on the “clear dangers” facing the BGCT I would humble suggest the TBC focus on one or all of the following challenges:

 

1. Cooperative Program Promotion: The life blood of the BGCT and its institutions continues to be the Cooperative Program. With recent cuts in the staffing of the BGCT those commissioned with the task of the telling the CP story are few and far between. The TBC could take up this mantle and get the story out of all the ways the BGCT is impacting Texas and the world. In the recent political struggles the story of our working together has been lost as back page news. I would encourage the TBC to put the CP and its work on the front page. I also believe this will be a key strategy of protecting our ranks because the BGCT is today focused on Texas Hope 2010 by implementing our historic values of evangelism/missions, Christian education, and advocacy. There is no better place in Texas to give your mission dollars than the BGCT if you truly want to impact the world. We need to tell this story far and wide.
2. New Generation of “Baptist” Leaders: I personally believe the greatest threat to our future is the loss of a generation of young leaders who have deemed denominational involvement irrelevant, insignificant and old fashioned. Of course, I would highly questions these judgments, but these are their perspective is real to them none the less. Part of reaching this generation I believe will involve building relationships with these leaders, and listening to their perspectives and stories. I would recommend the TBC develop some “think tanks” to help create new models for Kingdom cooperation and collaboration. Pull together the brightest and the best of these young leaders to form a younger version of the “Future Focus Committee” and begin now to begin thinking about the future. How do will we do evangelism/missions, Christian education, and advocacy in the next twenty-five years. What part will our institutions play in extending the work of the Kingdom and promoting the “Baptist-brand” church life?
3. Lie Detecting: I also believe the TBC should continue to monitor attempts by some to promote half-truths, and out and out lies about the BGCT and its mission and institutions. Like some of those “urban legends” that continue to circulate on the World Wide Web, there are still some who try to pass off lies about the BGCT as factual truth. I hope those days will soon come to an end, but unfortunately I suspect we still have some work to do to get the truth out.
4. Restore Bridges: I would also encourage the TBC to help pull together our Texas Baptist family. In recent years I have seen many of the walls of suspicion and fear fall around us, and I would encourage the TBC to take those stones and restore the bridges among our Texas Baptist leaders. I would pay special attention to fostering authentic relationships between loyal BGCT leaders who continue to be active in the SBC, and those who either cooperate with the CBF, the BGCT, or other networks.

 

Over the past year as president of the BGCT to get more people at the table, I believe the TBC will continue to play a significant role in our future. Their perspective and tenacious commitment to Baptist distinctive are critical for our future together as build for a new tomorrow.

DBU Pilgrim Chapel

Dallas: On Friday, October 16^th I had the honor to participate in the dedication of the Pilgrim Chapel that towers over SW Dallas on the university hill of Dallas Baptist University. The chapel was designed along the lines the first Baptist church in Providence, Rhode Island. The church founded by Roger Williams in the early days of our nation.

The first gift for this chapel was given in 1999 in response to the vision of Dr. Gary Cook, president of DBU. In the early days, DBU actually met and worshipped under a tent on campus, but today the students will gather in a state of the art facility designed to be a place of worship and learning. The lead gift for this chapel was given by long time Baptist donor Bo Pilgrim of Pittsburg, Texas and founder of the Pilgrim’s Pride Company.

During the dedication service Dr. Cook called attention the ceiling of the chapel which is lined with scriptures.  He called attention to the verse, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” Mark 11:17. He called special attention to the words “all nations”, and then shared his vision of reaching the nations through the ministry and reach of DBU. As a vivid illustration of this reality he then had DBU students from all over the world come and introduce themselves and tell where they were from. As the students lined up I saw faces from practically every corner of the globe.  Young people from Asia, South America, Europe, and Africa stepped from to identify themselves and the people they represented. The world has come to DBU, and through these students DBU is touching the world.

I walked away from this service with a renewed commitment to faith, perseverance, and vision. The Pilgrim Chapel shines as a beacon very Dallas because Dr. Cook and others believed it was possible, worked hard to make this dream a reality, and gave all the glory to God. Long before the chapel became a reality Dr. Cook could see it in his heart and mind. One evening  he cast this vision to Adam Wright, a young leader charged with leading the campaign by sharing a verse God had burned on his heart—“We walk by faith and not by sight.” When we walk by faith we trust God to keep His promises, and to be God in our lives. We see what others cannot see. We risk what others will not risk. We may appear “fools” but we are “fools for Christ” because we believe.

Much is learned in the classrooms and libraries of our Baptist universities and seminaries, but some of the best lessons are learned when students see leaders living out their faith right before their eyes.

Thought Provoking Quote

“A people who are caught up in their own little story will never be willing to lay themselves down as stepping stones for others”–Del Tackett, The Truth Project

This quote caught me a bit of guard today. Seeing the “big picture” often opens the heart and mind to sacrifice for a cause greater than yourself. No one takes up his or her cross without a vision of the Kingdom on God burned on their hearts.

I pray I will be someone who is more concerned with HIS story than mine.

Wayland Baptist Missions Center

Plainview: This week I had the opportunity to participate in a strategy planning meeting for the new Wayland Missions Center led by Dr. Rick Shaw. This new mission center located on the high plains of Texas has a vision to touch the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr. Rick Shaw, a former international missionary to Albania, brings an inspiring and challenging perspective to his Kingdom assignment. Not only does he oversee the work of the missions center, but he is overseeing the Wayland Baptist University, Kenya campus. Yes, you read right “KENYA” campus.

In some ways Wayland Missions Center is one of the best kept secrets in Texas Baptist life. Dr. Shaw is an amazing missional leader, and the students I had the opportunity to interact with are some of the finest I have met in recent years.

During the strategic dialogue among a wide host of Baptist leaders and pastors from West Texas it was the consensus of the group that the face of missions today is changing. No longer does missions boil down to sending money through the Cooperative Program to national sending organizations like the International Mission Board or the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Missions today is more “hands on” and under the control and direction of the local church. In addition, this generation of students feels God’s calling to missions in ever increasing numbers. The harsh reality is that today there are more mission volunteers than resources to send them.

One of the challenges I gave to Dr. Shaw was to work on develop models for Kingdom cooperation and collaboration in the future. The Cooperative Program was the genius of the modern missionary movement, but it must change to embrace the new realities of missions today. For Western Christianity to be a player in the future of missions, and it needs to be, new models, processes, and networks for doing work together must be developed. In the development of these models, I believe this young passionate generation of leaders must be heavily involved in the dreaming and implementation. Young leaders are not going to lay down their lives for the old bureaucracies of yesterday.

The “top down” hierarchies of yesterday are being replaced rapidly by “flatter” more mobile systems and networks. These new models are much more relational and “hands on” in the past. Struggles for control are being replaced by collaboration and networking among leaders who are passionate about common Kingdom assignments. Centers like the Wayland Mission Center need to be places where older and younger generations talk and work together to create the models for tomorrow.

I hope and pray Wayland Baptist University will be leaders in the conversation and transition under the vision and leadership of Dr. Paul Armes, president, and Dr. Rick Shaw, director of the Wayland Missions Center. Out on the plains of West Texas God is up to something big for the future of His Kingdom.

David Edwards: We miss you already!

Canyon: This week I was shocked to hear the news that Dr. David Edwards, pastor of First Baptist Church of Corsicana was killed in a tragic car accident when the car he was driving was hit head on by on oncoming car on Texas Hwy 31 near Hubbard.  When I heard the news my mind raced back to the last time I saw David sitting in his place during the Executive Board meeting in Dallas.

David is one of the good guys. He is a great pastor, wonderful husband and father, and a good man. You may have notice I am speaking of David in present rather than past tense because as a follower of Jesus David is still alive in well today. His earthly body died that dark afternoon, but David lives on.

Please pray for David’s wife Lyndy, his daughters Emily and Kate, and his son Evan, along with Kate’s husband Brian Mullaney. In addition, pray for the good folks of the First Baptist Church of Corsicana.

During difficult days like these in walking through the “valley of the shadow of death” I am comforted by the words of Job that seem cold and harsh at first blush but resonate with faith and courage in the face of adversity unspeakable. When Job heard the shocking news his children had died in a heartbreaking accident, he torn his robes and worshipp

ed God saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away—blessed be the name of the Lord.” How can one worship God when it appears He has ripped away the one you love so suddenly or failed to protect when death came near? The key is in one’s view of “the Lord takes away.”  The Lord does not take away our love ones to a dark place we will never see them again—He takes them home!

The timing of death is still a mystery, and often leaves us with more questions than answers in times like these, but thank God for His gifts and trusting His timing opens the path through the valley. God gave us a wonderful gift in David Edwards for which those who know him best will always be grateful for, and we can be thankful that one day we will see David’s smiling face again in the “land that is fairer than day.” Until that day, let’s keep on trusting the Lord, and loving each other. Don’t miss an opportunity today to tell those you love how special they are to you.

Howard Payne: Perfect Storm

Brownwood: This week I participated in the board of trustee meeting of Howard Payne University. This historic Baptist school in the heart of Texas holds a very special place in my heart. My two oldest daughters graduated from this school, and one of my closest lifelong friends Dr. Gary Gramling has been on faculty there for as long as I can remember.

As a member of the board, I have had the opportunity and responsibility to help shape the future of the school the last three years. The challenges facing our relatively small Texas Baptist schools like Howard Payne are immense. Especially during these days of economic recession it is a daunting task to keep the school above water financially while trying to keep tuition down to reasonable levels.

Howard Payne in particular has sailed into what some would consider a perfect storm. The school enrollment is down by approximately 100 students, endowment income is down, gifts to the annual fund are down, and the financial support from the Baptist General Convention of Texas is also down. Talk about a “downer.” This is the challenge facing new university president Dr. Bill Ellis who moved from Hardin Simmons to lead the school during these challenging days.

I was personally impressed with Dr. Ellis’ smile and positive attitude toward what he deemed the “challenges” facing HPU. Ellis is absolutely confident that God’s hand is on HPU and the future is bright regardless of the economic indicators. It appeared to me that Ellis’ confidence rests in his undying faith in the provision of the LORD who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the team of faculty and staff that serve with him. HPU like many of our Baptist schools has the amazing ability to do “more and more on less and less” as one former HPU president summed it up.

In times like these we would be wise to remember the profound lesson the disciples of Jesus learned on the open sea. After a long day of ministry, Jesus loaded his crew on a boat and directed them to sail to the other side while he caught a nap. While Jesus was sleeping a “perfect storm” arose and terrified this crew of veteran sailors. In a panic they woke Jesus up exclaiming “don’t you care that we are drowning?” Jesus stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, and then turned to His disciples with a stern probing question “where is your faith?” I fear that too often in the midst of the storm we too panic rather than trusting that as long as Jesus is on board we are not going to sink.

In the midst of a “perfect storm” we would be wise to ask ourselves—“where is your faith?”

BGCT Presidential Journal 30 (Executive Board)

Dallas: This week I had opportunity to participate in the Executive Board meetings in Dallas. This two day meeting is pack with meetings, both formal and informal, as the board oversees the work of the convention between annual meetings.

One huge development this week was the absence of John Petty, who resigned as chairman of the board. Petty stepped down for personal reasons, and his presence was missed. Petty had proven himself as a capable leader over the past two years, and helped Dr. Everett greatly in his re-introduction into BGCT life. Petty was open, fair, firm, and a very capable leader.

Debbie Ferrer, who served as vice chairperson, stepped up in Petty’s absence and did a wonderful job overseeing the events of the week. In addition, Ferrer was elected to be chairperson of the board next year. Joining her in leadership will be Van Christian, pastor of First Baptist Church, Comanche, who will serve as the vice chair next year. Christian will be moving up from his post as chairperson of the Missions and Ministries Committee. Christian also serves as chairman of the Christian Life Commission. Both Ferrer and Christian care deeply for the future of the BGCT and will do a good job helping the convention navigate the coming days.

The big item of discussion this week was the proposed BGCT budget for next year to be recommended for approval at the Annual meeting in Houston. The $41 million budget marks another sharp reduction in spending by the BGCT. Dr. Everett and Jill Larson should be commended for their attempt to bring the spending of the BGCT in line with its income projects for the coming year. Over the past two years under Everett’s leadership, the budget has been slashed 20%. Yet, the spirit of the convention and the Executive Board staff seems to be very optimistic in spite of this reality.

In order to trim spending to meet the anticipated income for next year, the budget required sacrifices on every front. Two noteworthy sacrifices were on the part of the BGCT staff and institutions. The staff will see their employee contributions to their annuities reduced by 50% (10% to 5%). This cut in benefits will save the BGCT over $600,000. In addition, the universities, seminaries, children’s homes, hospitals and other institutions experienced another reduction in revenues. These two actions appear to have been necessary, but these trends need to stop if the convention is going to be a force for change in the future.

To address the issue of institutional support, the EB will form a study committee to take a hard look at how the BGCT funds its institutions and this committee will be making a report to the board by its May meeting. It is critical for the committee to help the BGCT to develop an effective strategy for funding its institutions for the future. Even though the Cooperative Program has taken some hits in the last decade, it still seems to be the most effective and efficient means of funding Kingdom enterprises.

I believe the EB is working hard to help the BGCT move forward into the future. Dr. Everett and his staff are giving visionary leadership, and I hope next year when we meet to discuss the budget we will actually have more money to spend and will be talking about a larger budget. When I was a church planter in the early days of Mission Texas, we were taught “the resources are in the harvest.” Let’s get to work on Texas Hope 2010 and trust God to provide the resources we need for today and for tomorrow.