the GCR, the bgct, and the sbtc
There has been an ongoing debate within the Southern Baptist Convention for about a year now. I decided to take a few minutes and briefly explain the issue.
At the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, delegates voted yes on only one proposed motion. That motion, made by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called for Johnny Hunt, President of the SBC, to appoint a Great Commission Task Force designed to study how Southern Baptists might work together more faithfully for the cause of the gospel. The motion passed with a 95% vote.
How did this motion come about?
Prior to the convention, “On April 16, 2009, in a chapel service at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Danny Akin delivered a message entitled ‘Axioms of a Great Commission Resurgence.’”
Following this sermon, a document, entitled, “The GCR Declaration,” which calls for renewed focus on the Great Commission, was drafted by Dr. Akin and Johnny Hunt. In the words of the authors, “We are thankful for the Conservative Resurgence and believe that God has also called Southern Baptists to Great Commission Resurgence as the next step in the fulfillment of our mandate in missions and evangelism.”
The document consists of 10 points.
I. A Commitment to Christ’s Lordship.
II. A Commitment to Gospel-Centeredness.
III. A Commitment to the Great Commandments.
IV. A Commitment to Biblical Inerrancy and Sufficiency.
V. A Commitment to a Healthy Confessional Center.
VI. A Commitment to Biblically Healthy Churches.
VII. A Commitment to Sound Biblical Preaching.
VIII. A Commitment to a Methodological Diversity that is Biblically Informed.
IX. A Commitment to a More Effective Convention Structure.
X. A Commitment to Distinctively Christian Families.
There has been a wide range of responses to the GCR and the Task Force. Some are against it; others are for it; and some have signed it with caveats. The only controversial point in the declaration is article IX. The reason for the controversy is quite simple—talking about the structure of the convention means talking about change, and change, as we all know, is difficult. Here is what article IX calls for:
We call upon all Southern Baptists, through our valued partnerships of SBC agencies, state conventions/institutions, and Baptist associations to evaluate our Convention structures and priorities so that we can maximize our energy and resources for the health of our local churches and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This commitment recognizes the great strength of our partnership, which has been enabled by the Cooperative Program and enhanced by a belief that we can do more together than we can separately.
The guys over at B21 recently posted a two part blog about the problem as they see it. In their words, “The most critical and sensitive areas under examination has to do with the way our Cooperative Program dollars are split up.” In particular, “One of the key questions that many are asking is whether or not 70 cents out of every CP dollar should stay in state.”
The main issue comes down to missions. Millions around the world are starving both physically and spiritually. Millions are without the gospel. Unreached people groups have never even heard the name Jesus. Hundreds of thousands of children are victims of sex trafficking and slavery. Thousands are dying everyday of AIDS. The list goes on an on.
I agree with my friend Jed Coppenger, we need to be honest about all the facts. We should be clear about what we want the GCR Task Force to accomplish (or what we don’t want them to accomplish).
To be sure, there are several changes that would be good for the convention, but I, for one, am praying the Task Force will result in a convention-wide commitment to raising the percentage of Cooperative Program dollars flowing out of the state conventions. Right now, most states keep 70 cents of every dollar given to the Cooperative Program.
FBCW is currently partnered with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). Sadly, 79% of what our church gives to the Cooperative Program stays right here in the state. Yes, its a big state, but its a bigger world full of unreached people!
In a few weeks, Dr. Jim Richards will be with us to explain the advantages of changing our partnership to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC). One of the most exciting advantages is how the SBTC distributes CP dollars. Amazingly, the SBTC only keeps 45%.
One last thing I would like to point out about all of this is that we are not debating whether or not we should spread the message of the gospel. While the GCR has stirred up controversy within the SBC over secondary matters of methodology and strategy, there is no controversy as to the reality of the church’s mission. Absolute solidarity exists concerning the clear mandate given to the church to take the gospel to the nations. That point is not in dispute.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I am glad to hear that FBCW is taking a hard look at their convention ties. As the rest of the Southern Baptist world is examining their commitment to the Great Commission, it is tremendously encouraging to see a church reevaluating its long-time alliances without bias, and genuinely seeking what is best for the Kingdom of Christ.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Dear Jason,
I affirm you and your church for taking a hard look at your convention ties. I am a firm believer that in this day revolutionary change that we cannot simply hold onto our traditions of the past and be positioned for tomorrow.
As president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I would encourage you to look closer at the work and mission of the BGCT. I must admit I too struggle with the percentages of how much stays “at home” and how much of our Cooperative Program dollars go abroad through our international partners like the Southern Baptist Convention. I believe as a pastor/leader, you have to make sure your CP gifts represent well the values of your congregation. One option you might want to consider is setting your own percentages. On your church’s CP form, you can set whatever percentage of participation you believe best represents your values. If you are drawn toward a 45-55% split, then you are encouraged to do as the LORD leads. As a free and autonomous church you need to give and invest as the LORD leads.
In comparing the SBTC and the BGCT and their recommended percentage splits, one must remember you are not comparing apples to apples. The SBTC is a dynamic growing convention that focuses on evangelism, church planting, and a wide variety of hands of ministry. The BGCT is a historic Baptist convention that supports the work of 27 institutions like Wayland Baptist University and Buckners International that have a presence in Lubbock. In addition, the BGCT has campus ministers on practically every university campus in Texas. Last year, the institutions of the BGCT touched the lives of over 3 million people both here in Texas and around the world, not to mention the 35,000 students being trained in our universities and seminaries. In recent years the heart beat of the BGCT has been Texas Hope 2010 which has called us to do whatever it takes to make sure every man, woman and child in Texas hears of the hope of Christ in their own heart language, while we have also been working hard to address the hunger and poverty needs of our state. It is our goal to end hunger in Texas by 2015.
Deciding between SBTC and BGCT is a difficult decision to make, when I was faced with this decision, I decided to continue my relationship with the BGCT, and to work for change within this historic convention that I believe is positioned to touch the world.
I would be honored to come and visit with you personally about the opportunities found in partnering with the BGCT. You will be in my prayers as you seek the LORD’s leadership.
Sincerely,
David Lowrie
President of the Baptist General Convention of Texas
Pastor, FBC Canyon
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I too am honestly glad that FBCW is looking at convention ties. I think every church should partner with the state convention they feel God is calling them to work alongside to accomplish the task before us all.
Furthermore, I would like to offer some reasons as to why 79% of the BGCT CP dollars stay in Texas. One reason is as you say, Texas is a big state. And the 79-21 split is designated by individual church choice, it is not a requirement, just a suggestion to support all the work in Texas. Texas Baptists also are equipped like no other group to reach its inhabitants and visitors. There are 27 institutions partnering with the BGCT. Those include children’s homes, elder care, hospitals (where money given supports the chaplain ministry) and educational institutions that reach 35,000 students annually and awards $3.6 million in scholarships to students in ministry to help train our future leaders. Also funded by the BGCT is Texas Baptist Men who do so much in Texas, the US and around the world caring for and witnessing to those in need.
A quick breakdown of what every dollar given to the BGCT does in reaching the state for Christ:
47 cents goes to Missions/Evangelism – which funds directly ministering to and evangelizing people in the state and beyond including church starting, River Ministry and 120 missionaries across the state at BSMs.
30 cents goes to Education/Discipleship – which funds the aforementioned ministry scholarships for undergraduate and seminary students, Bible study, VBS, music and worship and other ministries that directly assist your church’s ministry
10 cents goes to Advocacy/Care – which funds over 500 chaplains, work in the legislature that keeps casinos out of Texas, works with right-to-life legislation, and even human trafficking which you referenced in your post.
13 cents goes to executive ministries – which includes committees, IT, HR, Communications and Finance. (By the way, not one penny of your CP dollar is used for the BGCT building, insurance, utilities, maintenance or related items. Because of wise decisions and generous donors over 20 years ago, our building is debt free and the upkeep comes from a building endowment.)
In a nutshell, by reaching Texas and its population, which represents hundreds of other countries and has 11 million unchurched people, we can and do reach the world.
If Texas Baptists don’t visit feed the hungry in Texas, if we don’t clothe and feed the needy, if we don’t care for the sick or visit the prisoners, who will? Caring for and reaching Texans for Christ is our job. Part of Acts 1:8 reads “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It all starts at home.
I will be praying for God’s direction in FBCW’s decision concerning state convention alignment.
If you would like to work alongside other Texas Baptist churches in reaching the state for Christ, join in the TexasHope2010 effort. Info at http://www.TexasHope2010.com and http://www.WhatsMissingTexas.com.
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:51 pm
David and Rand,
Thanks for taking the time to explain some of the details of the BGCT.
I have been a pastor in Texas for about a year and a half now. Since I have been at FBCW, I have been, along with the other leaders of the church, studying the differences between the 2 state conventions. We are currently in the process of making our decision concerning our future ties to the BGCT, and I assure you, we will be praying.
One other thing I might mention, there are many other reasons we are considering the SBTC, not the least of which is doctrine.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Jason, feel free to call me about any doctrinal issues you’d like to discuss. Or better yet, Dr. Everett or Steve Vernon. Any of us would be happy to go over things with you.
If you are up for some reading, visit http://www.bgct.org/texasbaptists/Page.aspx?pid=5947 (it’s the what we believe section of the web site).