Archive for the 'Southern Baptist Convention' Category
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.
We Need All Generations Involved in Southern Baptist Life
When a younger Southern Baptist dispels an older Southern Baptist, this is immature and unhealthy. When an older Southern Baptist refuses to understand the value of the younger generation, this is also immature and unhealthy. We need all generations involved in Southern Baptist life.
A Biblical Perspective
2 Timothy 2:2 states, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” This biblical charge from Paul is powerful. Think about these words as generations:
Generation 1: Paul deposits God’s Truth to other believers
Generation 2: These believers deposit God’s Truth into other faithful men
Generation 3: These faithful men explain God’s Truth to others
Therefore, the charge is to know the responsibility we have to one another and the connectedness we share cross-generationally. This text exudes the burden to bring others along in the faith as disciples of Jesus Christ.
A Generational Reality
Each person is different. Each group of people or generation of people is different. This is reality. Someone who is thirty years of age or below does not think like someone who is eighty years of age and above.
Yet, as born again Christians and members of the same family, the church of Jesus Christ and even more specifically, our Southern Baptist Family, it is imperative for all of us to desire and learn to not just get along, but get along together joyfully.
It is a sad reality for one generation to dispel another. It is sinful and wrong. All across leadership in America today, leaders limit their influence by being targeted to one generation alone. As I state in my newest book, Forward, leaders who seize the future are leaders who do not just influence the generation around them, but the generation ahead of them and the generation behind them. This is big leadership.
In the race for the highest office in the land, the President of the United States, I want you to notice something with me. Including both parties, as of today, there are around twenty people running for President. Look at these current challengers:
*Three are in their mid-to-late forties
*Four are in their fifties
*Nine are their sixties
*Four are in their seventies
Of these, the top two candidates in the polls presently in both parties are in their sixties and seventies.
If America can value those older generationally and the value they bring to leadership, surely our churches and our Southern Baptist Convention should do so even more. Moses was not even lifted up to leading the people of God until he was eighty years old. All generations add value. We need big leaders and all generations in the Southern Baptist Convention.
A Future Together
I have read the Bible through no less than twenty-five times and the New Testament many more times. I have never noted, found, or discovered anything written about the New Testament church that preferred any generation or looked down upon another generation. In fact, what I have noted, found, and discovered is that a New Testament church is cross-generational. This is where joy is experienced and influence is enhanced.
This is also true for the Southern Baptist Convention and also for each of our 51,094 churches and congregations by our recently released Annual Church Profile.
5 Words All Generations Need to Elevate in Our Future Together
1. Value
We need to learn to value one another cross-generationally. As a leader in our Southern Baptist Convention, I can tell you that I truly and genuinely value all generations more so today than ever before.
2. Honor
When I was a young Southern Baptist, I truly honored the leaders of our convention. While there may have been moments when I did not understand something, there was never a moment I dishonored them and the value they brought to our denomination. I honored them growing up and now as a man in my fifties, I honor them today more than ever before.
A few days ago, I called two former Southern Baptist leaders who are in their late eighties, to check on them and let them know their value to us and to me personally. Simultaneously, I honor my generation and those behind my generation. How can we do this?
3. Communicate
We need to communicate with one another. When we talk to each other, we will not talk about each other. When forums are created like last week’s Symposium on the Southern Baptist Convention in the 21st Century at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, we can understand and appreciate one another so much more. I would encourage you to listen to or watch these presentations where ideas were exchanged and burdens were shared.
4. Appreciate
We need to learn to appreciate one another more than we do now. We need to say it and show it. We need to believe it genuinely. We need to honor one another and give honor where honor is due.
5. Thank You
“Thank you” is one of the most powerful phrases in the English language. Thanks needs to be expressed to one another genuinely. When we say “thank you” to someone else, it should not be disingenuous, but should be overflowing with transparency.
In Summary
When we learn to value one another, bring honor to one another, communicate with each other, demonstrate appreciation for one another, and say thank you to one another, we will enter into joy and influence that God has waiting for us. We need all generations in the Southern Baptist Convention.
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.