The following are 12 reasons why I oppose the recommendations of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force: [img_assist|nid=6401|title=Larry Lewis Former President Home Mission Board (NAMB)|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=81|height=100]1. The recommendations would divide and unravel the SBC, separating the SBC from state conventions. 2. They would be divisive in a time when we need healing and unity. 3. The recommendations would threaten the Cooperative Program by creating a competitive funding approach. 4. They would set national missions back decades to the time it was done independently rather than cooperatively with state conventions. 5. The recommendations would set the IMB and NAMB at odds –each with the assignment of reaching ethnics in North America. 6. Maintaining regional offices would be expensive, ineffective and competitive. 7. Having cooperative missions and cooperative agreements with every state convention (not merely newer conventions) is essential to NAMB having a “national” strategy, not just a “regional” one. 8. NAMB having no input in selection of most mission personnel in older, stronger states would compromise our efforts to insure doctrinal integrity in our agencies. 9. Both the … [Read more...]

Orlando is coming into view. With just days until Southern Baptists gather in Orlando, the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force is eager to present our report to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. [img_assist|nid=6403|title=Ronnie W. Floyd Chairman SBC s GCR Task Force|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=100]We have been encouraged along the way by the prayers, interest, and support invested by thousands of faithful and visionary Southern Baptists. We were given an incredible charge by the Convention as it met last year in Louisville. The overwhelming vote to establish the Task Force sent a clear signal that Southern Baptists desire greater faithfulness to the Great Commission. Every word of our report is written with that singular goal in mind. The Task Force was not assigned the task of reviewing the entire work of the Convention and all of its entities. Instead, we concentrated on the areas of work where we felt the most significant and direct Great Commission gains could be found. Along the way, we were greatly assisted by countless Southern Baptist leaders, pastors, and laypersons. We have been enriched by the opportunity to meet with Southern Baptists on the front lines of ministry and … [Read more...]

By Frank Page, Vice President Evangelism NAMB I have been asked to share some of my thoughts about the GCR and its current consideration before our convention. I am glad to do so. [img_assist|nid=6405|title=Frank Page Vice President Evangelism NAMB|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=74|height=100]I have not always shared the view points of some of the committee members. However, let me be very clear that I love each and every one of the task force members and I am thankful to have served with them. They are a godly group of men and women who share the same heart. That heart, that purpose, that desire, is to see the accomplishment of the Great Commission in our lifetime. I passionately wish to see this occur. As I said, our mindsets have not always been one and the same about how this might be accomplished. We have had differences regarding methodology, yet none regarding the outcome. While the report in its final form is not one that I would have written exactly as is, I can say that I do stand with my brothers and sisters in affirmation of that report. I do believe that there are some very positive parts to the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force final report. What are some of those? For example, I find the … [Read more...]

To the Editor: The Great Commission Task Force report, like Brutus with Caesar, shows up late and then praises our Cooperative Program before assassinating it. The report REMOVES ALL INCENTIVE for a church to give through the Cooperative Program, leaving it [CP](if adopted) high and dry. Our Southern Baptist Cooperative Program is right now God’s one-and-only winning strategy for the whole world and is 100 percent Great Commission giving! It needs one improvement – our vigorous, sustained giving! The GCTF report strikes at the local church, where all funding begins. where they don’t know the language, and make our career missionaries their interpreters and nursemaids. This is “so long” to winning the world and painful “goodbye” to Southern Baptist churches in our northern and western states. Our Cooperative Program is God’s greatest victory in all of history. I have loved my 80 years on earth as a lay-warrior for it. Let’s deep-six the GCTF report and get back to storming the walls of the impossible through God’s One-and-Only to Whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given. Dale Danielson Albuquerque, N.M. … [Read more...]

By Erin Roach, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – As Miley Cyrus transitions from her Disney image as Hannah Montana to the teenage star of racy music videos, parents whose daughters revere her are left with a dilemma: How do they explain to their children that Miley isn’t an ideal role model? Is a talk even necessary? Dannah Gresh and Vicki Courtney, two mothers known for their guidance of young girls, each addressed the topic on their blogs after the release of Miley’s sexually provocative video for the song “Can’t Be Tamed.” [img_assist|nid=6409|title=Myley Cyrus Pop Singer|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=63|height=100]In an open letter to Miley’s parents, Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, Gresh acknowledged that in the past she gave Miley room to make mistakes and encouraged forgiveness. But the latest video crosses a new line. “I wanted Miley to be the one who would say no to the money-hungry industry that turns perfectly adorable, talented young girls into common sex toys. You – her parents – were my hope,” Gresh wrote May 12 at blog.secretkeepergirl.com. “That’s why I’m so utterly shocked at what appears to be the parental approval you placed on Can’t Be Tamed.” Gresh said Miley, 17, still looks to her parents … [Read more...]

By Michele Louviere, Director of Counseling Celebration Church, Metairie An important task in the prevention of sexual abuse is talking to your children about their bodies and their rights at an early age, even as young as 3. Michele Louviere, director of counseling, Celebration Church, Metairie Question: I am a sexual abuse survivor and I do not want my children to be abused. What can I do as a parent to prevent sexual abuse? Michelle Louviere responds: Understanding sexual abuse is a must for parents today. Instead of decreasing, sexual abuse is epidemic and continues to increase, in part because of the internet. Certainly learning all that you can about sexual abuse, such as the warning signs, and trying to avoid as much one-on-one unsupervised exposure to other people are ways that you can help prevent your child from experiencing sexual abuse. An important task in the prevention of sexual abuse is talking to your children about their bodies and their rights at an early age, even as young as 3. Parents need to let their children know that it is okay to talk to them when they feel uncomfortable or confused. Parents need to make sure that children’s feelings are respected and taken seriously. Since more than … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler, Regional Reporter COVINGTON –With hurricane season underway, the Louisiana Baptist Convention stands prepared to respond in the event of a storm, even as it has helped natural disaster victims throughout the year, said Gibbie McMillan, LBC state director for disaster relief. “I would say that we’re as prepared as we can be,” McMillan said. “All we can do is have our trailers ready to go and operating and have our people in place.” [img_assist|nid=6411|title=Lonnie Wascom, Damaris Palmgren, Jackie Hill and Darryl Woolery take a break from disaster relief training exercise.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=86]The LBC has 4,213 disaster relief volunteers available and trained to work in some 80 disaster relief mobile units across the state, according to McMillan’s statistics. “We train in the off-season so that when the season comes, we’re not having to cancel training to respond to a disaster,” McMillan said. The North Shore Baptist Association got early practice by utilizing one of its mobile feeding units to serve jambalaya and distribute New Testaments at the West St. Tammany YMCA’s recent Maifest Fun Run and Walk at Trailhead Park in Covington. “I see this as an opportunity for us … [Read more...]

By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message Dawson took time to speak with some of the students at the Martin Performing Arts Center after coming to campus to meet with the administration about preliminary plans for an academic film program. [img_assist|nid=6414|title=Actor Tom Lester, Eb Dawson from TV comedy Green Acres, speaks to LC students about plans for an academic film program.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]“It’s sad to see how TV has changed,” Lester told the students. “Back then, there wasn’t a show that I couldn’t do. Now, there’s probably not a show that I could do.” Lester makes it clear as soon as you meet him. The reason for his strong stance is his faith in Jesus Christ. That faith relationship began when Lester was 10 years old. Now 71, the only thing that has changed about that stance is that it is graced with more wisdom. Some of that wisdom he is sharing with colleges like LC in the hope, he said, that Hollywood might someday see its own “revival” and a return to wholesome programming that all age groups can enjoy. “The industry doesn’t realize they’re missing out on billions of dollars because they won’t make family-friendly films,” Lester said. “It’s so important that we take a stand … [Read more...]

By Bob Rodgers, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Sometimes we will fill in our knowledge gaps with anecdotal information and hold it to be true. Resulting opinions are thrown around like they were fact. Anecdotal evidence, when used as fact, may cause some people to draw incorrect conclusions and/or make bad decisions. [img_assist|nid=6416|title=IT ADDS UP|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]A lot of statistical data generally applies to Southern Baptists. For example, a Barna study released in the spring of 2008 revealed that only 5 percent of adults in America donated 10 percent or more to their churches and charitable groups. Evangelicals ranked higher, with 24 percent tithing. Empty Tomb Inc., in their study called the State of Giving through 2007 (the study analyzes giving for 44 denominations in America), revealed that the average giving in support of congregational finances and supported ministries by church members across America was 2.56 percent of personal disposable income (PDI – after tax income). While these studies generally apply to Southern Baptists, it is a reach to say that these studies specifically apply to Southern Baptists. Having said that, I have seen nothing in SBC life … [Read more...]

ORLANDO, Fla. – The 2010 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention is set for June 15-16 in the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive in Orlando. Online reservation system for overnight accommodations is now closed, but see a list of a dozen hotels/motels on www.sbc.net. Pre-messenger and children’s conference registrations are now open. Double-click on the photograph of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) for more information on all things related to the SBC annual meeting, to the convention center itself, and to the attractions/places of interest across Florida. Several organizations, groups and events take place in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting. A list of many of them follows. A complete list is available on the www.sbc.net website. All are in the Orange County Convention Center unless otherwise noted. MONDAY, JUNE 7 • INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY EVANGELISM (ICE), begins Monday, June 7, in Orlando and Oviedo, Apopka, Kissimmee and St. Cloud, and goes through the weekend. FRIDAY, JUNE 11 • SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSIANIC WORSHIP is set for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 11, in Salons 1-2 of the Rosen Centre. On Saturday, the group will hear from … [Read more...]