Archive for the 'Southern Baptist Convention' Category
A National Conversation on Racial Unity
Dr. Jerry Young, President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, and I will lead A National Conversation on Racial Unity in America in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday, November 4, 2015. Dr. Young and I spoke at a rally recently called Stronger Together, held at the First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. It was an incredible night, one of my most memorable as President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
22 Pastors Will Participate in This Conversation
Dr. Young leads the largest predominantly African-American Christian denomination in the United States. This denomination is comprised of 31,000 congregations and 7.5 million members.
Dr. Young and I are each asking ten local church pastors from across America in our respective conventions to join us in this national conversation on racial unity. We are thankful for every leader or group who is attempting to address this national crisis. Yet, we believe local church pastors and churches can bring a unique perspective on the racial crisis; and in reality, we need to lead the way toward addressing and resolving this crisis.
The ten pastors representing the Southern Baptist Convention who will be joining me are:
Dr. K. Marshall Williams
President, National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention
Senior Pastor, Nazarene Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Steve Gaines
Senior Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church
Cordova, TN
Dr. A.B. Vines
Former President, National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention
Senior Pastor, New Seasons Church
Spring Valley, CA
Dr. Ted Traylor
Senior Pastor, Olive Baptist Church
Pensacola, FL
Marshall Blalock
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Charleston
Charleston, SC
Dr. Ed Litton
Redemption Church
North Mobile, AL
Timmy Chavis
Chairman, Multi-Ethnic Advisory Council of the Southern Baptist Convention
Senior Pastor, Bear Swamp Baptist Church
Pembroke, NC
Dr. Paul Kim
Asian American Relations Consultant for the Southern Baptist Convention
Pastor Emeritus, Antioch Baptist Church
Cambridge, MA
Felix Cabrera
Director of Red 1:8 Church Planting Network
Lead Pastor, Iglesia Bautista Central
Oklahoma City, OK
Dr. Gene Henderson
Mississippi Baptist Pastor & Leader
Pinelake Church
Brandon, MS
Please pray for each of these men and their role on November 4. Also pray for the ten pastors from the National Baptist Convention who will be joining Dr. Jerry Young.
Others Can Attend This Conversation
The Conversation on Racial Unity in America will take place on Wednesday, November 4 at 8:30 a.m. The location will be in section A and B of the Ballroom of the Jackson Convention Complex, Jackson, Mississippi. This event is open to everyone, so if you have an interest, I hope you will join us. More information is available here.
Join Us For MISSION MISSISSIPPI’S RACIAL RECONCILIATION LUNCHEON In Jackson
Dr. Neddie Winters is the President of MISSION MISSISSIPPI. Their mission is to encourage and demonstrate grace in the body of Christ across racial lines, so that communities throughout Mississippi can see practical evidence of the Gospel message. Mission Mississippi believes that through Christ, we can find common ground to build strong relationships and communities for the betterment of all Mississippians, regardless of race. Their vision is, “To be the leading resource and catalyst for Christian racial reconciliation and healing for Mississippi and the world.”
The luncheon will take place in sections C, D, and E of the Ballroom of the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Mississippi. If you would like to join us for this luncheon, please go here to learn more. Dr. Young, Dr. Winters, and I would love to meet you.
God is Moving Among His People
In December 2013, I was in a meeting in Atlanta for Prayer and Spiritual Awakening. We were discussing the need for growing and strengthening relationships between all races and ethnicities. Dr. K. Marshall Williams, a dear friend and now President of the National African-American Fellowship of our Southern Baptist Convention, stated to us: “Southern Baptists must reach out and begin having conversations with our brothers with the National Baptist Convention.” I never forgot what he said with great passion and conviction.
When I was elected President, I began praying for open doors. Through prayer gatherings, I began to see God bring down the walls that divide races and ethnicities. Then, sadly through the tragedies of Ferguson and other cities in our nation, the burden and conviction became overwhelming.
In the final half of 2014 when racial tension and violence was increasing exponentially, I released an article entitled, “THE WOUNDS RUN DEEP: RACISM AND INJUSTICE MUST END AND LET GRACE AND LOVE BEGIN”. This article opened doors into several conversations and experiences.
God used this article to open doors that lead us to these two experiences on November 4 in Jackson, Mississippi. Our own National Prayer Meeting at the 2015 Southern Baptist Convention highlighted the need for racial unity and was a catalyst to this opportunity in Jackson. May God use it to His glory. Pray for us. Join us.
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 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.
Where is the Money?
The Southern Baptist Convention is a convention of churches that partner together to reach the world for Christ. As we aspire to this biblical vision of presenting the gospel to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations, we must find a way to increase financial resources to this serious and grand vision.
I am often asked, “Where is the money to accomplish this vision?” In this month of emphasis on the Cooperative Program, I think we must answer this question openly and honestly. As one Southern Baptist, I want to attempt to answer the question, “Where is the money?”
The Money is in the Pockets of God’s People
The most recent research by empty tomb, inc. reveals the following:
- Less than 3% of all Christians tithe, meaning give at least ten percent of their income to their church
- The median annual gift to a church is $200
- In 1968, Americans gave 3.1% of their disposable income; now Americans give 2.2%, which is less than they gave during the Great Depression
- At the current rate of decline, by the year 2050, Americans will give only 1% of their disposable income to the church; if this occurs, a vast number of churches and missions will be forced to close
I find this data somewhat disgusting. It shows the selfishness and narcissistic reality of millions of professing Christians today.
The money to reach our towns, cities, regions, states, nation, and the world is in the pockets of God’s people. We need to repent now and call people back to God with boldness and compassion.
Pastors, Christian leaders, and church leaders must lead the way in giving at least ten percent of their income through their local churches. The professing Christians and members of our churches must also do the same.
This is not an option for us, but it a biblical truth that our Southern Baptist Convention has practiced for years. In the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, we read this in Article XIII on Stewardship: “According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.”
Once again, I want to appeal to pastors to address the importance and necessity of biblical stewardship with your church. Be biblical, bold, and convictional. There is no need to apologize for calling your people to give more. We give because we love Christ, want to walk in obedience to Him, and desire to see our town, city, region, state, nation, and world reached for Christ.
Money is in the Pockets of Our Churches
Each of our churches must evaluate continually what we are doing to partner with our Southern Baptist Convention in reaching the world for Christ. We do this through our gifts through the Cooperative Program. How much a church gives through the Cooperative Program is a church’s decision. Each church is autonomous and we honor their decision.
However, since we are Southern Baptist churches, we also believe in the value of partnership. I believe each church can do more to fund the vision of reaching the world for Christ. What we give through the Cooperative Program is important.
If we devalue the Cooperative Program, then we undermine the financial engine that impacts our work together statewide, nationally, and internationally.
According to the most recent Annual Church Profile, our churches gave over $500 million dollars to causes outside our convention that they categorized as “mission causes.” Therefore, thousands of our churches could give more through our work together as Southern Baptists by a simple reallocation of monies their people are already giving.
Simultaneously, each church can find a way to do more, and determine to give more through our Cooperative Program. If we truly believe our state, our nation, and world needs the gospel, there is no greater way to impact this population of 7.2 billion people. Please go to your church now and ask them to pray and act with all of us to give more now through our Cooperative Program.
The Problem is Not Our Path, But Our Pace
Please understand, while each Christian is under obligation to obey the Scriptures through the giving of the first fruits through their church, each church and each state convention is under the necessity to get the gospel to the entire world. This is not an option, but an act of obedience.
The problem is not our path, but our pace! Our path is set; we want to be a Great Commission people. Yet, our pace needs to accelerate with a deep sense of urgency.
I know each church faces different challenges and circumstances and each state convention is unique with its own opportunities and challenges. This is why my appeal has been continually: Each of us can find a way to do more!
We need to also remember: this is God’s money. It is not our money personally, our church’s money, our state convention’s money, nor our Southern Baptist Convention’s money! It is God’s money! He has entrusted to us His money to use for His purposes for His glory alone!
Yes, we can do more. We can do more 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 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.