Credible Comments Regarding the GCR Task Force Interim Report

I confess, the Interim Report presented to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention by the Great Commission Task Force was a bit daunting and left several questions in my mind...probably because I simply am not smart enough to piece things together and I don't fully understand how different SBC entities relate to another like I should.

However, I do understand that Southern Baptist's see there is a real crisis going on and a real need to refocus efforts toward making disciples of all nations. I am so grateful to God for this Task Force and the 'Task' they are taking on. May God continue to grant them grace and wisdom from heaven as they move forward in this deal.

For those wanting a summary article to help give better understanding to what the Task Force presented Tuesday night, go here for an article by the Florida Baptist Witness.

The six components (summarized) are:

1. a “missional vision” with eight “core values,”
2. a “reinvented” North American Missions Board,
3. the authorization of the International Mission Board to work in North America,
4. movement of the ministry assignment for Cooperative Program promotion and stewardship from the Executive Committee to state conventions,
5. affirmation of the current Cooperative Program definition while creating a new category of “Great Commission Giving,” and
6. increase of the IMB’s CP budget share by one percent by cutting the Executive Committee’s budget by the same percentage.

I encourage you to 'be in the know' about this thing and prayerfully understand what is going on in our convention. In my opinion, MUCH is at stake for the future of our convention and for the sake of the Gospel getting to the nations.

Some credible comments regarding the GCR Task Force and the Southern Baptist Convention that are worth reading are:

1. Douglas Baker, writing for the Baptist Messenger, wrote an article here entitled "Seeking Renewal: Will the GCR Change the SBC?"

The summary of his article:

"State conventions and the Cooperative Program frame the Southern Baptist culture of collective cooperation to fund the very expensive monetary requirements for world ministry outreach. Few Southern Baptists, however, fully understand just how all the components of the proposed changes by the GCR Task Force will be detailed and how they will impact the local congregations who financially enable the Southern Baptist Convention to exist in the first place.

The future is not all together clear, and that could be a good thing. The initial report of the task force might change to look something quite different from the original framework proposed this week. Chairman Ronnie Floyd still maintains that it is a work in progress and desires to hear from Southern Baptists about their initial impressions of the GCR report.

Unlike other formal denominations, the SBC exists more as an informal convention of local congregations who willingly work together to advance the gospel. In SBC life, no one forces anyone to do much of anything. Baptist polity demands that congregations possess ultimate authority over all that transpires beyond their walls.

This is a time for great humility and respect lest what has taken over a century to establish might well collapse under the weight of passionate, yet misguided, individuals on all sides of the issues. Consensus must form.

If the Baptist past is prologue, the SBC abides in a state of a great danger. Yet, even if the SBC disintegrates, the theological conviction of Southern Baptists will remain: Jesus will continue to build His church unhindered by quarrels of men."

2. Click here to find several videos related to the GCR at the Baptist Messenger site.

3. Here, at the Florida Baptist Witness, an article reports on questions asked to and answered from the Task Force.

4. Nick Floyd (son of Ronnie Floyd - chairman of the GCR Task Force) wrote an article entitled "The GCR and Its Call to Young Pastors" here.

He concluded in this way:

"It’s time to risk it all. David Platt said something to the effect of “Let’s risk it all” in his message to the SBC last June. This is really a message for young pastors and all pastors in general related to the GCR. Is the Great Commission Resurgence really worth the risk? Is it really worth spending money to be involved with various meetings and events of the SBC? Is it really worth our time to discuss complex issues within our denomination to try to make us more effective? The answer is yes. The answer is not yes because of the Great Commission Resurgence movement. The answer is yes because I believe the Southern Baptist Convention is the most capable force for missions and the Gospel in the world. More than anything the answer is yes because the Gospel is worth it all. It’s worth the money, it’s worth the inconvenience, it’s worth the time, it’s worth our most valiant efforts. Let’s risk all this for the cause of the Gospel going forth and the nations being brought to Jesus. What if God used a group like us to finish the task? That’s worth the risk."

5. The GCR Report's Reflections by Ronnie Floyd here.

6. Jerry Rankin's article entitled "No Merger of Mission Boards" is found here.

At one place, he writes:

"Having given away and shared most of their personnel, they cannot be expected to fulfill a task that will only be accomplished by grassroots Southern Baptists engaging the lost with a passionate witness. The GCRTF is right on target with recommendations to refocus and empower NAMB to serve Southern Baptists with an effective strategy to reach our nation for Christ, prioritizing the unchurched and unreached areas."