Archive for the 'Join the Movement' Category
Unity is One of Our Greatest Needs in the Southern Baptist Convention
Unity demands we accept one another in love. Unity requires work — hard work. Unity is an act of humility.
In a convention of over 51,000 churches and congregations, eleven national entities and our Executive Committee, forty-two state conventions, and over one thousand associations, unity does not happen without intentionality.
A Brief Look Back
As a young pastor in seminary, I remember some of the beginning days of the conservative resurgence. These were very difficult and tumultuous times. When the movement was declared successful, most were hopeful we could enter into more peaceful days together as a convention.
Unknown to us then, we were entering one of our most challenging seasons as a convention of churches.
A Present Reality
Southern Baptists are no longer in a battle for the Bible, but in a battle with one another. The very soul of our convention is at stake.
Almost two years ago when I became president, I was determined I would do all I could to bring us together. I have given myself to this task, not just in words, but also in deed. I have gathered groups from all sizes of congregations, groups of church leaders and convention leaders, state leaders and national leaders, and members from different ethnicities and generations. Yet, we find ourselves in a continual struggle to come together in unity. Why?
Unquestionably, we are affected by the culture we live in today. Narcissism and independence infects us just like it does others and challenges our paradigm of working together. Transition within our national entities and state conventions is occurring, and adjusting to change can be uncomfortable.
If this was not enough, America is in an election for the office of President of the United States. Way beyond the normal, opinions on the election are not just felt, but are being expressed publicly and demonstratively.
Each of these things, and so much more I could share, challenge the very soul of our unity together.
5 Intentional Actions for Unity
The amazing thing through this season is we are still seeing so many wonderful things occurring. Yet, the threats relating to our unity are undeniable. If the enemy cannot destroy us from the outside, he will attack us from the inside.
I want to challenge each of us to take five intentional actions relating to unity within our convention:
1. Accept one another in love
None of us are alike. The Divine imprint upon us causes us to be unique. Unity is not uniformity, but intentionality. Unity will not happen without accepting one another in love.
God wants us to accept one another in love. We need to love people like Jesus does: willfully, sacrificially, and unconditionally. None of this is possible without personal humility, gentleness of spirit, and patience with one another.
Accepting one another is holding on to each other, enduring our differences, and bearing up under the relationship to seeing it through and sustained for the glory of God. This takes the discipline of intentionality.
The next time you are challenged to love a brother or sister in Christ, ask God at that very moment, Lord, give me the power to love them willfully, sacrificially, and unconditionally.
2. Work Toward Unity
We need to earnestly and promptly take the needed actions to guard our unity. This may require each of us to take action – conduct a phone call or visit, write a genuine email, letter, or text to someone or a group of people. Unity is work!
Refuse disunity within our ranks! There is nothing biblical or godly relating to creating disunity.
In this social media world, we need to cease writing or saying things that can be misunderstood easily. We need to understand that one day we will answer to God for every blog, article, tweet, and conversation we have with one another.
Romans 14:12-13, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us no longer criticize one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother’s way.”
We need to denounce the personal temptation to be motivated by the praise of others, their comments, and retweets rather than being motivated to live holy, because one day we will answer to God Himself. Yes, unity is work. Work takes discipline. Every day.
3. Be humble before God and others
A runaway, unaccountable church lay leader, pastor, or a leader in our convention poses a major threat to unity among us. Humility is not just a description we should have, but the prescription for us to become what God wants us to be as Christians and Southern Baptists.
A lowliness of mind about ourselves is hard to find in a world where we think more about ourselves than we should. Remember these words: A person who is not humble before others is a person who is not humble before God.
Humility before God demands He is first every day of our lives. Humility before God is a voluntary and willing action, surrendering to Him even in seasons of prayer and fasting periodically. Personally, I am convinced more than ever before, church leaders and convention leaders need to spend time praying and fasting.
4. Pray for Unity
The walls come down between people and groups when we pray for and work together toward unity. Prayer crosses over the perceived barriers of ethnicity, race, and generations, bringing down the walls that divide us.
Regardless of your political party or personal feelings, we need to navigate through these turbulent times together. Regardless of what you think about someone, a certain entity, or who should become the next president, it is incumbent on us to pray for and work together toward unity.
5. Come to St. Louis in the Spirit of Unity
I have said this over and over again across this nation: I am bringing people together so we will start talking to each other and praying for each other rather than talking about each other. The Southern Baptist Convention is your family. We are family.
On June 14-15, our family will reunite in St. Louis. It may not be convenient for you to attend, but we need you there. Our family is meeting.
For the sake of unity, come to St. Louis. Nothing brings us together more than when we gather, pray together, and leave on mission together.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, Southern Baptist Convention
*******
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is currently serving as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptist Convention is America’s largest Protestant denomination with more than 15.7 million members in over 51,094 churches nationwide.
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.
Pastors and the Church in American Politics Today
In the last four weeks, Jeana and I have been in Washington, DC three times. Each time I go to America’s Capitol city, I am captivated by it. As I jog around the National Mall, I become even more burdened for our nation and our leaders. There is always something special about making my way through the entire terrain from the Supreme Court to the United States Capitol, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.
As I returned from the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC, I was not just reflecting, but anticipating our upcoming Southern Baptist Convention. When we meet in the closing session of the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention on Wednesday afternoon, June 15 in St. Louis, our Order of Business Committee has allocated time for a special panel on investing in the lives and ministries of our messengers.
Navigating Through These Turbulent Times
Just as we did last year, we are going to address one of the challenging areas in life today. Last year, we provided The President’s Panel: The Supreme Court and Same Sex Marriage: Preparing Our Churches. It was well received and appreciated.
Early last fall, when our Order of Business Committee began discussing possible topics, our chosen panel for this year seemed to be extremely relevant and interesting. Even though we have wrestled with fulfilling this vision, I think it is important for us to assist our pastors and laypersons while we are gathered. The decision we made last fall has now proven to be not only relevant and interesting, but extremely challenging to accomplish.
Please know, no one but God has the corner on this subject in American life. Regardless of your political party or your personal feelings concerning this subject, we need to converse and navigate together through these turbulent times.
Pastors, Churches, and Politics
Pastors and the Church in American Politics Today is the subject of our presidential panel scheduled to take place at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, June 15. These twenty-five minutes will be just one segment of this incredible Wednesday afternoon session.
Introducing the Members of Our Panel
There is a real passion to hear from local church pastors about this challenging subject. It is local church pastors who have to, anchored in the Word of God, navigate these matters in their church and community. Local church pastors identify with other local church pastors.
We are a convention of local churches. These local churches have entrusted the leadership of their churches to God-called pastors.
Since so many of our pastors and churches are uncertain about this subject, with many never even addressing it, we believe that beyond five proven local church pastors, we need a respected and gifted attorney to help us address some matters.
Let me introduce the five local church pastors and attorney who will serve on our panel, in alphabetical order:
HANCE DILBECK is the Senior Pastor of the Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Hance is the President of the Oklahoma Baptist Convention, our immediate past 2nd Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and one of the most respected pastors and leaders in Oklahoma. His church is a leader in the Southern Baptist Convention.
JACK GRAHAM is the Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. In the years of 2003 and 2004, Jack served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He pastors one of the most incredible churches in the world and is widely respected both nationally and internationally. Last fall, Jack led and moderated The North Texas Presidential Forum, which included many presidential candidates from our current election cycle.
DAVID MCKINLEY is the Pastor of the Warren Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. He has also pastored in Florida, as well as served alongside Jack Graham in both Florida and Texas. David has invested in churches in different states with different perspectives. He is a gracious and godly pastor to people.
MAT STAVER is the Founder and President of the Liberty Counsel in Orlando, Florida. The Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit litigation, education and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and the family. He is the former vice president of Liberty University and dean and professor of law at Liberty University School of Law. He has argued landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court; written over 230 legal opinions; authored eight scholarly law review publications, 10 books and hundreds of articles. Mat is a member of the First Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida.
A.B. VINES is the Senior Pastor of the New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, California, which is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-generational church. He has also served as one of the past Presidents of the African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Southeastern Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching.
K. MARSHALL WILLIAMS is the Senior Pastor of the Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also the current President of the African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has pastored the same church for thirty-two years, and has preached at our Southern Baptist Convention the past two years. He is also the Director of Community Outreach for the Germantown Academy of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and a founding Trustee of the Community Partnership School in North Philadelphia. He is a powerful prayer warrior and a leader of leaders.
As I facilitate this discussion through these turbulent waters, may God lead us to His will and to experience His glory.
I Am Convinced
I am convinced when we complete this discussion on June 15, we will all leave with one strong conviction: Our help comes from the Lord. Read and pray this for your life, family, church, America, and our future together.
I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
The LORD protects you;
the LORD is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
The LORD will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, Southern Baptist Convention
*******
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is currently serving as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptist Convention is America’s largest Protestant denomination with more than 15.7 million members in over 51,094 churches nationwide.
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.