Counter-Cultural Living
August 31, 2009
After speaking at an event recently, a person asked me, “How would you describe Golden Gate – conservative, liberal, etc.?” My answer was easy, “Strongly conservative in doctrine and innovative in educational programs.” He then asked, “How is that possible, given your location (referring to our Northern California campus) and the culture around it?”
It’s actually quite easy!
The gospel and the Christian faith have always been counter-cultural. Two myths keep us from remembering this. First, some believe the early church was birthed and grew in “the good old days” – whatever that means. In reality, the early church grew in a hostile environment where living for Jesus was completely counter-cultural. Second myth - there was once a “Christian America” where the church thrived. Pockets of strong Christian influence exist in our nation but true Christianity has always been counter-cultural even in our country. Being counter-cultural is actually mainstream Christianity. So, we don’t consider ourselves or our situation all that unique.
So, near San Francisco and around the Western United States, we operate a conservative, gospel-centered, Word-honoring seminary. It can be done and we are doing it. We are swimming upstream against some powerful currents but, nonetheless, we keep stroking along. For example, we still believe in Absolute Truth, one way of salvation, and personal holiness that reflects an honest effort at obeying the instructions of Scripture. We believe some behaviors are right and other behaviors are wrong – and don’t mind saying so! We hold our positions with the sweetest spirit possible and advocate them with firm resolve, not bombastic blather. Don’t mistake gentleness with mushiness on core doctrines.
If you want a flavor for what is taught on our campuses on one important subject, check out my President’s Convocation chapel message – “A Gospel Worth Fighting For.” You can hear it free on this
website. We are committed, no matter how politically incorrect and no matter how many people call us intolerant (worst curse word in our modern world), to preaching the gospel. We invite you to join us in doing the same.
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The Gospel Really Works
August 25, 2009
Recently, I returned to St. Joseph, Missouri, the city where my pastoral ministry started in 1982 to speak at a Men’s Retreat and Sunday services at the sponsoring church. Several men who were young men with me back then (and their now adult children, we are getting old!) attended either the retreat or the service. All of us were once younger leaders, trying to follow Jesus and obey his Word. We had some tough times back then - some genuine conflicts, arguments, and struggles as we tried to figure out how to live our lives, lead our families, and work together at church.
For the past 20 years, we have gone our separate ways – my family to the west coast and those men to other churches. The reunion was an awesome and encouraging experience for us. Men told me of the progress they have made, the ministry leadership roles they have, and the strength (and struggles) of their families. My story was similar. Our overwhelming conclusion – experiencing the gospel and living for Jesus Christ really works! When you obey him, day-in and day-out, the difference He makes is significant and measureable.
Some people commit themselves to Jesus and expect life to change quickly. And, in some areas of life, it usually does. But other areas take more time. Persistent obedience – doing the little things over and over again – eventually adds up, however, to significant change. Those changes produce the “abundant life” Jesus promised his followers.
My friends Rick, Gary, Keith, Craig, and Dick (along with their wives and children) are living proof a life of persistent commitment to Jesus really works. Obedience, not perfection, but steady obedience leads to a quality of life only possible in the gospel. The life change in these men inspires and motivates me.
Another positive part of the weekend was reconnecting with old friends. It is good to have lived long enough to have old friends. People who have been steady Christians and church leaders – through thick and thin – for more than 20 years are a special blessing. They remind me it is possible to live a lifetime of devotion and service. So many drop out, it’s good to be reminded many stay faithful and keep making an impact over time.
The gospel really works. Jesus changes lives. Obedience matters (and is possible). Longevity inspires. All in all – a great few days!
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Home Missions
August 17, 2009
It was my privilege to preach this past Sunday at the Romanian Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. Pastor John Brisc has been leading this church for the past eleven years. He is one of the most remarkable leaders in Baptist life and an inspiration to me as his friend. Pastor Brisc served in Romania under Communism, leading as many as ten churches at the same time due to the shortage of pastors. Since coming to the United States, he has led successful ministries in Florida and Oregon. His church in Portland is now the largest Romanian Baptist congregation outside Romania!
Our friendship began while I was a state executive director. The Northwest Baptist Convention helped start Portland Romanian Baptist Church 25 years ago. When Pastor Brisc arrived, he embraced our convention’s work and became a vibrant supporter. He served on the executive board, preached in our meetings, and set an example with his torrid pace of missionary outreach by his church back to Romania. My life has been enriched by this wonderful man and his beautiful church.
This kind of success story has been replicated countless times by Southern Baptists across the United States as state conventions and the North American Mission Board (or Home Mission Board) facilitated church plants in recent immigrant communities. Now many of those churches are strong, vital contributors to Southern Baptist work. The Korean Baptist churches, for example, have a goal of sending 1000 missionaries through the International Mission Board. I am on a coordinating committee with many of their leaders to help make this happen. Already, more than 300 are on the field and more than 1000 are in the appointment process. This Thanksgiving, I will preach at the Berendo Street Baptist Church in Los Angeles which is the “mother church” of all Korean Baptist churches in the United States. Part of that service will be a celebration of God’s gift of this great church to our work.
As you probably know, the North American Mission Board is undergoing a change of presidential leadership. This is a crucial time for the Board as they re-examine their priorities, strategies, and methods as part of choosing a new leader. While rumors will fly about what might happen, most of the speculation is pointless at best and harmful to good people at worst. The best response you can make is to pray for those assigned the responsibility for these decisions and speak directly to them if you have the opportunity. Gossip, whether on a blog or in a convention-meeting hallway, is still gossip! Make your comments to the Lord in prayer and to the right people when given the opportunity.
Our denomination needs a strong, unified effort to evangelize communities and plant church in North America. There are many more churches like Portland Romanian and Berendo Street to start. Let’s do our best work in these crucial days to make this happen.
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Connecting Your College Students
August 11, 2009
While speaking recently at a major collegiate conference, I learned of a new resource to help connect teenagers going off to college with a viable college ministry on or near their new campus. The resource is found at www.sbccampusconnect.net and is managed by National Baptist Collegiate Ministries – a joint venture of LifeWay Christian Resources and hundreds of college ministers across the United States.
When you go to the website, you will be able to enter the contact information for any new college student which will automatically be sent to the proper collegiate ministry leaders. This will speed the process of connecting students to ministries on their new campus in the first few days they are on campus. These are crucial days for students who are trying to find their way, often on their own for the first time. Most college students fall into new patterns fairly quickly. Getting them connected to Christian friends, Bible study, and ministry opportunities in their first few weeks is vital to maintaining their Christian commitment.
My son, Caleb, is very active as a leader on a state university campus. He agrees with the importance of connecting with new students in their first few days. His campus leadership team has a very intentional strategy of aggressively reaching out to freshmen (and other new students). Often, however, Christians come to campus don’t know about the ministries offered or the ministry organizations don’t know who the new Christian students are. This website helps solve the problem!
So, what can you do? If you are a college student leaving for college this week, log in and register yourself. If you are a pastor or youth pastor, log in and register all your students leaving for college. If you are a parent, log in and register your child (and let them know you did it). Baptist collegiate ministry leaders want to connect with every new student. Help them by sending them the information they need to do their job more effectively.
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Great Commission Resurgence Prayer
August 4, 2009
At the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting this past June, a task force was created to study our cooperative work and make recommendations related to intensifying our effort to fulfill the Great Commission. The task force is chaired by Dr. Ronnie Floyd, a prominent pastor of a significant church in Arkansas. Dr. Johnny Hunt, the current president of the SBC is serving on the task force, along with two dozen other Southern Baptist leaders.
Dr. Floyd is well-known for emphasizing prayer and fasting in his ministry. He has brought that passion to his leadership of the task force and has created a national prayer strategy to undergird their work. He has invited 5,000 of us to join him in praying daily (or at least regularly) for God’s direction to be evident in their process. You can join this prayer movement by logging on at www.pray4gcr.com and registering your commitment. I have done this and encourage you to do so soon.
The most common question I have been asked about this task force has been, “what are they
really trying to do?” The question assumes there is always some hidden agenda when Baptist leaders talk about big questions and put big issues on the table for discussion. After talking to various leaders related to this process, they do seem to have an agenda – the Great Commission! Southern Baptists are having diminishing results in evangelism and stewardship. That is clear. We are baptizing fewer people and giving less to missions (by percentage of total receipts) each year. That pattern must change if we have any future as a denomination.
The Great Commission Task Force isn’t empowered to do anything more than make recommendations about how we can be more effective. They will do that in June 2010. I am praying their recommendations will demonstrate so much wisdom, insight, and spiritual discernment we will come together in remarkable unity and move forward to greater effectiveness. That is a bold prayer, but then, God is able to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all we can ask for think.”
So, let’s pray. The Southern Baptist Convention – its churches, national entities, state convention partners, associations, and all related ministries can become a more powerful force for the Great Commission. Let’s ask God to make that our agenda!
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