Archive for October, 2016
Fighting the Religious Straw Men of the Moral Majority and the Religious Right
As a local church pastor and leader, I stand amazed, but also burdened over the ongoing attacks that are aimed at what I call “religious straw men.” The term “fighting a straw man” is used when one states a belief in an exaggerated way and then destroys it. Usually someone is attacking the belief and practice of another person, but doing so by creating a different reality of what actually occurred.
These imaginable characters receiving the artillery fire are often referred to as “the religious right” and “moral majority.” The scorn for some of these patriots of the past, who were truly a part of a dynamic movement in America, demonstrates an immaturity and discredits those who make their pseudo-political attacks. Some of these same leaders that influenced America positively also led the largest Protestant denomination in the United States to stop drifting left theologically by returning to a deep belief in the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture. How soon we forget.
In this political season, accusations are often bizarre and at times outrageous. What is beyond sad is these attacks are being made by professing Christ-followers upon their brothers and sisters in Christ. Unfortunately, believers are also attacking those who do not believe in Christ. Perhaps Christians forget that people who are not Christ-followers often have a different belief system that leads them to act like they do not know Jesus Christ personally. Regrettably, the attacks are mostly over the political challenges of our day.
It is not my goal to pick a fight or point a finger at anyone. I love everyone. My goal is to share truth, nothing else. It grieves me when I sense that generations are being influenced negatively. I ask you to consider these misconceptions.
Misconception #1: The “religious right” and “the moral majority” are alive and thriving
I have recently heard the “religious right” and “moral majority” mentioned. I suppose these terms are referring to the men who formed the religious right and moral majority in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
Along with some even younger than me, I have been categorized as being part of the religious right and moral majority. This is ridiculous. These movements do not even exist today as they did in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. In the highest moment of these movements, I was a seminary student trying to figure out Greek, Hebrew, and Archeology. I was not engaged in American politics.
For the record: I applaud and am thankful for those who were an active part of the religious right and the moral majority, who loved God supremely and America secondarily. I honor those who have passed and those who are still with us today.
Hands down, I prefer their effectiveness and influence over the voices of those who attack their vigilance and love for the Lord supremely and America secondarily. I personally knew some of these men, and I can assure you, they never held America above the Kingdom of God. Anyone who believes they did is misinformed.
Misconception #2: The Gospel is being jeopardized and its testimony hurt
The political persuasions and actions of today are not jeopardizing the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God to those who believe. It always has been powerful and still is today. Nothing can jeopardize the gospel. The gospel is God’s gospel and it is the eternal good news to all persons in the world.
The testimony of the gospel is serious business. One’s involvement in the political world today does not bring harm to the gospel. We are called by Jesus to be the salt and the light in this darkness. We should do so both wisely and courageously. God will use this kind of testimony.
This I do know: we live in a sinful world. The gospel is the only answer, not politics. Yet, we must still engage and operate in this sinful political climate and in this evil world. Our hope should never be in a politician or a party, but only in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Misconception #3: You must compromise if you vote in this presidential election
According to research, most Americans don’t like their choices. Yet, they are our choices. Therefore, one of only two candidates will be elected as our nation’s next leader. God is Sovereign. Trust Him. Pray. Vote. By the way, voting for a 3rd party candidate or writing in a name will only contribute to the one person whom you may not want for President.
Furthermore, there are numerous local elections occurring on November 8. Do not minimize the importance of the day. Don’t criticize those who choose to participate in the political process and who still believe that “We The People” determine our future as a nation.
In brevity, this entire election cannot be changed and is inescapable. It will set the course for the future and freedom of America. We the people need to show up en masse, acting upon biblical convictions to cast our vote for every election occurring on November 8.
Ignore the Voices of Those Who Continue Their Pseudo-Political Attacks
In this noisy world, ignore the voices of those who may continue their pseudo-political attacks. Punching their straw men may gain you a retweet or two, possibly more from the left or from your personal fan base. But it reveals an immaturity in the understanding of the real issues before us in America.
Resolve now you are responsible to God personally. Refuse to accuse others and judge them. Pray for others. Dialogue with people, do not create division. Practice humility, not moral arrogance.
Be grateful for the contributions others make. Perhaps they are not doing what you would do, but that is okay.
What really matters long-term is our fellowship together in Christ and our common desire for a future America that affords us the privilege to make a difference.
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.
30 Lessons I Have Learned in Leadership Through Leading the Same Organization for 30 Years
ESPN produces a series of documentary films entitled 30 for 30. They highlight important people and events in sports history. Each of these is powerful and highly engaging.
Today, I want to share with you my own 30 for 30. I want to call it 30 LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED IN LEADERSHIP THROUGH LEADING THE SAME ORGANIZATION FOR 30 YEARS. Many people have led organizations for 30 years. Yet, only a few have led the same organization for the past 30 years.
905 For and 12 Against
As a kid preacher, I came to be the pastor of our church on Sunday, October 26, 1986. Before we began our third of the five campuses we now have at Cross Church, our church was called First Baptist Church of Springdale, Arkansas.
In September of 1986, I came to preach in a view of being called as pastor. After an extended weekend, the church voted to call me as pastor. The vote was 905 for and 12 against. One month later, our very young family left our home state of Texas and arrived in Arkansas driving an old orange suburban. On the last week of October of this year, I will have served as Senior Pastor of Cross Church for 30 years.
I have learned much about leadership by serving and growing with this region called Northwest Arkansas. This region has been filled with a strong innovative leadership culture, producing powerful corporations with global headquarters here. Walmart, J.B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, and the University of Arkansas have anchored this Northwest Arkansas region. Surprising to most, somewhere between 1,200-1,400 national and international companies have a presence here to service their Walmart account. This presence may be from a few employees to hundreds. Additionally, private business, law, education, and politics are thriving here. In reality, the world comes here to do business. That is one way this region has taught me so much about leadership.
Simultaneously, I began serving in all kinds of roles and with many responsibilities in the Southern Baptist Convention. In the most recent two years of my life, I served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America. Additionally, the Lord has graciously given me all sorts of opportunity to minister to many evangelicals outside of our Southern Baptist Convention.
Through all of these things and life experience, I have learned plentiful lessons on leadership. I want to share just 30 of these lessons on leadership.
I will only list these lessons in this article today. Perhaps in the future, I will write something on each of them. They are not listed in any order. I will stay with only 30 lessons to represent my 30 years here, but in writing, I initially listed at least 60 lessons on leadership I have learned these past 30 years.
30 Lessons on Leadership I Have Learned in 30 Years Leading the Same Organization
#1 Leadership is rallying people to a better future.
#2 Vision is seeing it before you see it.
#3 All people matter.
#4 Put change in your pocket in relationships so you will have something to spend when you lead people.
#5 Walk slowly through the crowd.
#6 Limit time with people who deplete you, but expand time with people who replenish you.
#7 Enjoy the special moments.
#8 Learn from your defeats but celebrate the victories.
#9 Stay out of the ditches in your leadership.
#10 Truth guides great leaders, not trends.
#11 Do what is best for the organization.
#12 Who surrounds you will define you.
#13 Hire people slowly but fire people quickly.
#14 Wisdom, discernment, and timing are critical in decision making.
#15 Do not sell out to keep any staff member.
#16 Transition is inevitable and strategic change always has a cost.
#17 People who are highly critical of others will also be critical of you.
#18 Never let anyone outside of your circle of love.
#19 You can go faster alone but farther with others.
#20 Invite your opponents to help you formulate the future.
#21 Lift the principles high and do not lose the vision on details.
#22 Beware of mission drift; confront mission rift.
#23 Investing in leaders strategically ascends the organization and extends your leadership influence.
#24 Never believe all the good people say about you or you will also have to believe all the bad they say about you.
#25 Leadership is comprised of various seasons.
#26 Leadership longevity is possible when you learn to surf the waters of cultural and leadership change successfully.
#27 Always start your day with God.
#28 Generosity sets a leader apart from other leaders.
#29 Build exercise and fitness into your life five to six days a week.
#30 Not every hill is worth dying on.
You Have One Shot
You have one shot in your life. Live enthusiastically. Lead passionately. Make a difference. Make it count!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
*******
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.