Archive for the 'America' Category
What the Southern Baptist Convention Can Learn From the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election
There are some things the Southern Baptist Convention can learn from the 2016 United States presidential election. We have lived through one of the most historic moments in the history of the United States. I believe before we run too fast past this moment, we need to consider what our Southern Baptist Convention can learn from this year’s presidential election.
1. Be sure you are listening to all people, not just those around you.
President-elect Donald Trump will become America’s leader on January 20, 2017, because he was listening to the people of America, not just those who were around him regularly. Nor was he just listening to the multiple establishments that comprise our nation.
Southern Baptist leaders must always listen to the real people in our 51,000 churches and congregations, not just each other and those who comprise the structure of our denomination. I am not minimizing a leader in our convention listening to their board of trustees or colleagues; I am optimizing listening to the people in our churches, who we are charged to serve in our ministry assignment.
We cannot minister to those to whom we are not listening. We cannot identify with people we do not take the time to know. The Southern Baptist Convention is a cross-generational, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual denomination that is comprised mostly of smaller-membership churches located all over America.
Before the election had been determined, Dr. Alvin Reid released one of the greatest and most transparent tweets I have seen on this issue. He wrote, “The one “issue” overlooked by too many in this election cycle is the impact of movements. Our institutional lenses cloud our vision.”
This is not only true about political institutions and establishments, but our own.
2. Be careful what you say and write, otherwise, it may come back to harm the entire convention.
The 2016 presidential election process was way too long, extremely too volatile, and at times, extremely too divisive. From the beginning of the primaries all the way to the finish line, we saw again and again, what a leader says and writes can come back to harm them.
This is also true about the Southern Baptist Convention. My heart has been so heavy and my spirit grieved with things said or written by Southern Baptist leaders, including many pastors. In John 17, Jesus calls us to love and unity, not divisiveness, insults, and sarcasm.
What a political leader says or writes may cause harm to our nation for a period of time. But much more devastating is that what a God-called leader says and writes may jeopardize their calling, influence, and effectiveness. Not only is their personal testimony and leadership harmed, it harms our churches, our convention, and testimony.
God has the final word on all things; not us.
3. Take the high road, even when it is not easy.
After a challenging election season, we have seen the high road taken by at least three people. President-elect Trump took the high road in his first address in the early morning of November 9. Secretary Hillary Clinton took the high road in her address, not just congratulating our new president-elect, but calling for unity toward the future of America. Then, President Barack Obama took the high road in his address to the American people.
Each could have gone on an endless rant, but they did not. In future days, they will each promote and stand strong in their ideology, but they stood tall when it mattered greatly, even when it would have been easy not to.
Southern Baptist leaders and pastors can learn a lot from this. For the sake of all, the high road should always be taken even when it is not easy. Of all people, we should know this. Our follow-through needs to be consistent.
Jesus personified this again and again as a servant-leader. There were innumerable times Jesus took the high road when it would have been so easy for Him not to. After what Jesus lived through in His life here on this earth, we should walk in His steps.
As Servant-Leaders
We are servant-leaders, not just people who lead. Have you ever washed anyone’s feet like Jesus did? It changes your perspective.
God led me to do this one time. I did it. It was not comfortable. It blessed me greatly and changed my perspective.
Perhaps as Southern Baptist leaders, we need our perspective changed or at least adjusted. We need to be part of the lives of the people we are called to serve. We should not just hang around our colleagues or our gang of friends, but all the people that comprise our churches.
When we serve effectively, it is only then we can lead.
Never fail to serve and always lead with love.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
America Chose to Make a Historic Statement… Now What?
We have watched history unfold before our eyes. The faces of many we have watched in these last hours tell the story of surprise and bewilderment. The American people have spoken and resounded a message that is undeniable.
President-elect Donald Trump, a Republican House, a Republican Senate, and the Most Conservative Republican Platform in History
The American population has elected Mr. Donald Trump as the next President of the United States of America. President-elect Trump has captivated much of America and has been entrusted with leading our nation for the next four years. The “Trump Tide” has also moved Republicans to the majority in the U.S. House and Senate.
In this historic moment in history, millions of Americans are stunned with these results. When they realize the platform the Republican Convention adopted is one of the most conservative platforms ever adopted, they may become disenchanted.
This is a moment for America’s leaders to rise up and bring unity and change in our nation.
Leaders Lead… Let’s Change America!
America’s leaders must come together in both the House and the Senate, working with our president-elect, Donald Trump. This is a time to see Supreme Court Justices appointed who are conservative and strict constitutionalists, the kind of justices President-elect Trump promised to appoint. Additionally, this is a moment for us to stand for the sanctity of human life from the womb to the tomb, religious liberty nationally and globally, return to a deep belief in the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, to honor and care for all people, giving them the dream of an America filled with opportunity and a future, recapture a strong commitment to the national security of our nation, and create a hope for the future for our nation that is so great, all Americans can come together.
In this undeniable and indescribable moment in American history, this is a time when the leaders must rise from all across America and lead.
Therefore, Pray for President-elect Donald Trump and the Members of Both the House and Senate
Please prioritize praying for President-elect Trump. He and his family will need our prayer support. Pray for Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his family. Pray for wisdom, future, security, protection, and leadership that will be extended to our nation. Pray for President-elect Trump as he selects members for his cabinet and begins the appointments of hundreds of people.
Members of both the House and Senate also need our prayer support. Pray for their wisdom, security, and determination to work together and to work with our new president.
Finally, pray for Secretary Hillary Clinton and her family. This has been a long campaign and she has given herself to it for a long time. Pray for all the candidates of all parties who ran for the Office of President but did not win. Each of these and their families need our prayer support because we need them to come together for America and our future.
Division must end. Unity must begin. Campaigning is not governing.
On January 20, our new president and every member of the United States House and Senate must begin to work together, governing our nation toward a common vision and hope.
Yes, America chose to make a historic statement. Therefore, in this historic moment…
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.