What the Southern Baptist Convention Can Learn From the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election
There are some things the Southern Baptist Convention can learn from the 2016 United States presidential election. We have lived through one of the most historic moments in the history of the United States. I believe before we run too fast past this moment, we need to consider what our Southern Baptist Convention can learn from this year’s presidential election.
1. Be sure you are listening to all people, not just those around you.
President-elect Donald Trump will become America’s leader on January 20, 2017, because he was listening to the people of America, not just those who were around him regularly. Nor was he just listening to the multiple establishments that comprise our nation.
Southern Baptist leaders must always listen to the real people in our 51,000 churches and congregations, not just each other and those who comprise the structure of our denomination. I am not minimizing a leader in our convention listening to their board of trustees or colleagues; I am optimizing listening to the people in our churches, who we are charged to serve in our ministry assignment.
We cannot minister to those to whom we are not listening. We cannot identify with people we do not take the time to know. The Southern Baptist Convention is a cross-generational, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual denomination that is comprised mostly of smaller-membership churches located all over America.
Before the election had been determined, Dr. Alvin Reid released one of the greatest and most transparent tweets I have seen on this issue. He wrote, “The one “issue” overlooked by too many in this election cycle is the impact of movements. Our institutional lenses cloud our vision.”
This is not only true about political institutions and establishments, but our own.
2. Be careful what you say and write, otherwise, it may come back to harm the entire convention.
The 2016 presidential election process was way too long, extremely too volatile, and at times, extremely too divisive. From the beginning of the primaries all the way to the finish line, we saw again and again, what a leader says and writes can come back to harm them.
This is also true about the Southern Baptist Convention. My heart has been so heavy and my spirit grieved with things said or written by Southern Baptist leaders, including many pastors. In John 17, Jesus calls us to love and unity, not divisiveness, insults, and sarcasm.
What a political leader says or writes may cause harm to our nation for a period of time. But much more devastating is that what a God-called leader says and writes may jeopardize their calling, influence, and effectiveness. Not only is their personal testimony and leadership harmed, it harms our churches, our convention, and testimony.
God has the final word on all things; not us.
3. Take the high road, even when it is not easy.
After a challenging election season, we have seen the high road taken by at least three people. President-elect Trump took the high road in his first address in the early morning of November 9. Secretary Hillary Clinton took the high road in her address, not just congratulating our new president-elect, but calling for unity toward the future of America. Then, President Barack Obama took the high road in his address to the American people.
Each could have gone on an endless rant, but they did not. In future days, they will each promote and stand strong in their ideology, but they stood tall when it mattered greatly, even when it would have been easy not to.
Southern Baptist leaders and pastors can learn a lot from this. For the sake of all, the high road should always be taken even when it is not easy. Of all people, we should know this. Our follow-through needs to be consistent.
Jesus personified this again and again as a servant-leader. There were innumerable times Jesus took the high road when it would have been so easy for Him not to. After what Jesus lived through in His life here on this earth, we should walk in His steps.
As Servant-Leaders
We are servant-leaders, not just people who lead. Have you ever washed anyone’s feet like Jesus did? It changes your perspective.
God led me to do this one time. I did it. It was not comfortable. It blessed me greatly and changed my perspective.
Perhaps as Southern Baptist leaders, we need our perspective changed or at least adjusted. We need to be part of the lives of the people we are called to serve. We should not just hang around our colleagues or our gang of friends, but all the people that comprise our churches.
When we serve effectively, it is only then we can lead.
Never fail to serve and always lead with love.
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.
This Week at Cross Church | A Historic Election and More
A Historic Election
Early yesterday morning, we watched history unfold before our eyes when we learned that our nation has elected Donald J. Trump to be our next president. In this undeniable and indescribable moment in American history, this is a time when leaders must rise from all across America and lead. More of my thoughts on this historic moment can be found in my article from yesterday.
Thankful for Fayetteville Campuses Over These Past Weeks
During the past several weeks, Dr. Nick Floyd and the entire staff team of our Fayetteville campuses have been engaged in a journey that has led them to make a three-year commitment to provide our greatest need in that city… a campus. Pastor Nick and the entire team have led well and I want to thank them. Additionally, we thank the lay leaders who have assisted them closely. Last Sunday, the church made their financial commitments with gifts that are over and above the first tenth of all God has given them. God is moving powerfully and this Sunday, we will announce their commitments to this significant experience. Again, thanks to our staff team, our lay leaders, and the hundreds of families who have made financial commitments to see this vision realized!
People Like Gayla Oldham Make This Ministry What it is Today
This week, we are celebrating the 15th anniversary of Gayla Oldham, my personal assistant, serving on our Ministry Staff team. Gayla has also worked an additional five years on our support staff team, having served Cross Church for a total of 20 years. She has paid a heavy price the past two years as I served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. While we do not recognize every anniversary publicly, I want our entire church to know of her significance. Surprise Gayla (she has not seen this before now) with a brief email of gratitude for her service to this ministry at gaylao@crosschurch.com. Jeana and I love Gayla. She is a tremendous asset to our lives and this ministry. We are thankful for Tony, her husband, who gives up some time with his wife so she can serve the Lord and this church through her job. They are great churchmen and we are thankful for Gayla and her family.
Blessing Basket Ministry… We Need Your Involvement!
Cross Church has been distributing Blessing Baskets to families in need for 24 years. A Blessing Basket provides a holiday meal to families who may not be able to afford one. Those who receive a Blessing Basket also hear the Good News of Jesus and have a chance to respond to Him and even be baptized. In order for Blessing Baskets to be a success, we need our Cross Church Family to give, and hundreds of volunteers to assemble 3,000 Blessing Baskets and work during Distribution Day. Will you volunteer to help or contribute to Blessing Baskets to help families have a holiday meal?
Assembly Day: Saturday, November 19, 9:00 a.m., Pinnacle Hills campus
Distribution Day:
Pinnacle Hills Campus – Saturday, November 19 at 12:30 p.m. (English and Spanish)
Springdale Campus – Sunday, November 20 at 1:30 p.m. (English and Spanish)
Fayetteville Campus – Sunday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. (English only)
Neosho Campus – Sunday, November 20 at 2:00 & 4:00 p.m. (English only)
Fayetteville East Campus – Sunday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. (English only)
Blessing Baskets is always a special time in our church, and we would love for you to engage. Go here to find out more information and learn how to volunteer and give.
This Past Sunday, We Were with Dr. Johnny and Janet Hunt in Atlanta
Last Sunday, Jeana and I were with Dr. Johnny and Janet Hunt, helping celebrate their 30th anniversary serving the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia, and his 40th anniversary in ministry. I had the tremendous honor of preaching the keynote message. Dr. Hunt has preached here a few times, and I want you to know of my love and appreciation for Johnny, Janet, and their church. Their 15-minute video of Johnny’s life and legacy was terrific. What a glory to God! You can see it here. We are so grateful for the friendship of Johnny and Janet. What a superb Sunday morning for Dr. and Mrs. Hunt and the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia.
I Will See You Sunday!
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.