Archive for the 'Leadership' Category
WOODLAWN, THE MOVIE, IS A GREAT TOOL OF EVANGELISM FOR YOUR CHURCH
This coming Friday, the movie WOODLAWN will be released nationwide. The Erwin Brothers, Jon and Andy, present this dynamic film. They are the filmmaking team behind movies like October Baby and Mom’s Night Out. Film speaks the language of our generation, and WOODLAWN does so profoundly.
WOODLAWN is based on a true story about a school in Birmingham, Alabama, named Woodlawn. WOODLAWN is a moving and inspirational new film based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. The Woodlawn Colonels football team was a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupted in cross burnings and riots. Then God showed up, almost the entire team came to Christ, and everything changed.
The Greatest Christian Film
One week ago, my wife and I went to a premiere of this movie in Dallas at Prestonwood Baptist Church. She stated, “This is the greatest Christian film I have ever seen other than the Passion of the Christ.” There is nothing cheesy about this movie. It exhibits high quality, state of the art acting, producing, and filming.
If you have not seen the trailer of this movie, please take time to watch it now.
This is Our Time
Jon has become a very good friend. He heard about my passion for and vision to see another Great Awakening in America. Our hearts are united in knowing this is our time to see the next Great Awakening in our nation.
Rent Theaters, Fill Them, and Extend an Opportunity
I want to encourage each pastor and Christian leader to rent theaters and fill them with people of all ages to watch this movie. Encourage them to bring friends that are regular church attenders and those who have never attended a church before. Once the movie concludes, offer an opportunity for people to follow Jesus Christ. Here are a few examples of response from early previews:
MEMPHIS, TN: 125 kids, half of those attending, made decisions for Christ after watching WOODLAWN at an FCA event.
“When I came up to close the night and give an invitation, we had at least half of the crowd stand and pray to receive Christ. It was the single biggest group and single biggest group of commitments I’ve ever seen at our WT FCA.” – Pat Ford, FCA Coach and Chaplain
HUNTSVILLE, AL: A dark theater was FILLED with the light of Christ…
“After it was over, the coach gave me an opportunity to share the Gospel and I don’t know how many of the kids got saved, it was amazing the number of kids that professed Christ tonight. The theater was completely dark, they would never turn the lights on, but WOW, the light of Christ was shining bright.” – Ken Burnett, FCA Huntsville
LOS ANGELES, CA: Football teams are being sponsored to see the movie. THEN this happened… “The theater manager saw what we were doing and offered 100 additional seats ON HIM. He said, “I don’t believe in God, but I believe in what you are doing.” Tommy Draffen (FCA leader) witnessed to him right there and invited him to the movie event on the 17th.” – Kevin Downes – Producer / Woodlawn
WOODLAWN has the potential to become a tool for you to use for personal and mass evangelism. Additionally, it could serve as a catalyst for a major movement of God in a school, team, workplace, family, or a ministry.
Cross Church is renting multiple theaters. Our desire
is to fill the theaters with all ages and we will extend
opportunities for people to come to Christ. Find a way
to use this movie as a tool for evangelism.
NATIONWIDE SIMULCAST ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
On Wednesday, October 14, you can participate in a free online event, a nationwide simulcast called UNIFY. Take the time now to register here and plan to participate. I look forward to participating with Jack Graham, Greg Laurie, Tony Evans, and Tony Perkins. The simulcast will subsequently air multiple times on TBN. Check your local listings or visit www.woodlawnmovie.com for details.
I Believe in This Movie
I believe in this movie. Its message is so on target for America today. It can impact our generation. God can use it to call thousands into a saving relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. Flood the theaters beginning Friday and keep flooding them over the next several weeks. Encourage people to attend. Rent theaters. Extend opportunities for people to follow Jesus. Let the movement begin.
This is Our Time,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, Southern Baptist Convention
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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 and congregations 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.
Four Key Questions for Church Leaders
One of the most difficult things as a church leader is knowing the right questions to ask. I believe when we discover these four key questions, we will find it easier to make the right decisions for the future of the church.
#1: What is best for the church?
The number one question that church leaders must always ask is: What is best for the church? In fact, church leaders need to teach the members of the church to ask the same question.
Sadly, the fellowship of the church is often high jacked by the carnal consumerism of its members. This happens because too many of us have stopped asking this most important question: What is best for the church? The church is about Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, discipleship of believers, reaching of those without Christ, and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. The church is not about me and my personal needs. Nor is it about you and your personal needs.
At the next business conference in your church, point your people to this question: What is best for the church? At the next committee meeting where debate occurs, push pause. Call everyone to ask the question: What is best for the church? When there are many different opinions about the future of the church and what should be done, ask the people to answer the question: What is best for the church? If you are a pastor approached by a staff member or church leader about church matters, challenge them to ask this important question: What is best for the church?
When we prioritize what is best for the Church of Jesus Christ, decision-making in the church will begin to make sense and operate in a more biblical order.
#2: What is best for the Office of the Pastor?
The second question we need to ask when faced with decision-making in the church is: What is best for the Office of the Pastor? There is a very concerted, constant effort by the enemy, Satan himself, to bring destruction to the Office of the Pastor, even bringing the termination of God-called pastors in service to their church. This is sad and wrong.
The American culture is constantly questioning their leaders. Sadly, it happens not only in politics, education, business, and athletics, but even in the church. From news talk shows and debates to blogs and social media, there is a growing, blatant attack on the leaders in our nation and world. Scripture does not applaud this conduct, but condemns it.
When churches or ministries are confused about the future, there must be enough spirituality present among people to ask these two questions, in this order:
What is best for the church?
What is best for the Office of the Pastor?
You see, if the Office of the Pastor becomes jeopardized in a local church, the entire church will be negatively affected. I have never seen a church that dishonors the Office of the Pastor go on to prosper over any length of time. In fact, I have seen those churches become shipwrecked. I appeal to you, always have your church at heart and then always lift up the Office of the Pastor. When you do, your church will become a recipient of God’s blessing and power.
#3: What is best for my ministry?
Many well-intentioned church members and staff members are most concerned about the ministries they are involved in personally or may even lead. If they are not careful, this will skew their decision-making and can even sour their attitudes.
Always start with asking: What is best for the church? Then follow that with: What is best for the Office of the Pastor? Then and only then, is it right to ask the question: What is best for my ministry?
From your perspective, it may make sense for the ministry you are involved in to receive greater support financially, have a different meeting space, or new equipment. However, this may not be best for the church. Remember, the pastor has to look at every ministry of the church, not just yours. Therefore, in reality, he may have to determine your request is not best for the church as a whole at this time. For the sake of what is best for the church, receive the decision. Trust the Lord. Leave it in His hands.
#4: What is best for me?
How many times do you say about church matters, “Well, this is what I think we need to do”? Or perhaps, “This is what will minister to me the most”? While this may be your feeling, it just may not be the will of God or the best thing for the church.
The greatest churches in the world are not the churches that cater to the needs of its people. The greatest churches in the world are those committed to being a Jesus church above all else. One of the wonderful by-products of this is that the needs of people are met. Christ-likeness, not consumerism, moves decision-making.
Keep these questions in order
Keep these questions in your heart. Keep them before yourself and the members of your church. Refuse to let them get out of order for yourself, others, or your church.
What order do they go in? What is proper?
- What is best for the church?
- What is best for the Office of the Pastor?
- What is best for my ministry?
- What is best for me?
I hope you will have a great week in your church.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.