Minor Adjustments Leading to Major Changes?

In 2009 Dr. Danny Akin presented Myths concerning the GCRTF.  Myth #8 was the myth that people were afraid the GCRTF was going to recommend the combining of the IMB and the NAMB.  In that myth Dr. Akin stated: “If this involves minor adjustments that will bring this to pass then wonderful. “  The issue was Dr. Akin’s title for his article.  Myth #8 article clearly, by its title, indicated the rumor was not true.  Though, it was clear that while Dr. Akin did not speak for the GCRTF, he made it crystal clear the combining of the two mission boards was something he was praying that “God will give us the courage to make those changes.”

It is now 2011 and it appears that the “minor adjustments” are coming down the pipeline.   SBC Tomorrow has presented an excellent review of the IMB’s recommended Mission Statement change.  Lumpkins offers excellent insight into how the IMB statement is vague concerning “the agreed upon assistance ” to NAMB and exactly what/who is/are the “unreached and underserved” people groups.

Lumpkins’ revelation of the IMB Trustee approved Mission Statement changes along with the following NAMB Trustee approved Mission Statement changes result in a potential recipe for the combining of these two agencies.  These changes must now be approved by the EC before they come to the convention messengers.  If Lumpkins’ sources are correct the Executive Committee is going to vote on these new Mission Statement changes for both the NAMB and IMB mission boards in Phoenix.

There are four basic concerns I have with the NAMB Mission Statement changes. I believe the EC trustees should and must do due diligence to address these changes in their upcoming meeting.

First, we find that pesky generic phrase “underserved people group.”

“with a priority to reach population centers and underserved people groups”

I thought the IMB was now reaching the “underserved” people groups.  It would seem that from the start we have a dichotomous event about to take place due to a lack of a clear definition of these terms.  Also, Lumpkins does a great job explaining the reasons this is such a problem when it comes to local church pastors promoting the various mission offerings in their church.

Second, the Mission Statement gives the impression that NAMB is forfeiting their assigned leadership role to develop a national strategy for reaching America for Christ, but individualizing down to local sponsoring churches. Notice #2 in the Proposed Mission Statement:

Assisting churches in the ministries of evangelism and making disciples.
Equip Southern Baptists for faithful evangelism; encourage churches in evangelism and discipleship; implement direct evangelism projects; prioritize spiritual awakening; develop an evangelism strategy for reaching North America with the Gospel.

It seems they have deleted completely #7 of their original Mission Statement.  According to my sources they did this because they felt it was covered in #2 of the Proposed Mission Statement.  The problem, I see, with this new Mission Statement is summed up in this statement “prioritize spiritual awakening.”  Quick, someone tell me the scriptural reference where the Bible tells us to “prioritize spiritual awakening.”  Is this a code phrase for presenting the Gospel only to the elect?  I would not think so, but exactly what is meant by this statement? I honestly did not know that we had the ability to place a priority on the work of the Holy Spirit.  Certainly we have to make assessments as to how much funding goes to various events, but to prioritize a spiritual awakening?  Are we going to say if we have a mighty move of God in Pasquotank County, NC we will not acknowledge it because we are trying to reach New York City?

As to “developing a National Evangelism Strategy.”  While I trust the leaders of our convention and I am certainly in favor of Dr. Larry Wynn being in his position, I am not sure I can give a carte blanche open license for developing a National Strategy.  Isn’t this like the Nancy Pelosi statement; “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it?” What is this strategy?  Is it merely the planting of churches?  Are we going to have to pass this Mission Statement before we can find out what is in it?

Let me assess one more issue in this statement.  “Implement direct evangelism projects” appears to hold a huge misunderstanding of the role of the local church.  Is it the role of a convention to do evangelistic projects or is it the role of a local church?  Let’s look at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  Whenever the BGEA goes into an area they partner with the local churches.  Therefore, it becomes the duty of the local churches to follow-up with those that have made decisions for Christ.  If NAMB begins “implementing direct evangelism projects” there seems to be a question that begs an answer.  Who is responsible for follow-up?  Another question seems to beg an answer based on the answer to the first question.  If it is NAMB that is responsible are we not removing the local church from the equation?  If it is local churches that are to do the follow-up, which ones?  NAMB is not working with the local association or the state convention.

Third, we have no mention of work with associations or social ministry.  The current Mission Statement acknowledges the need for social ministries.  While some deride the social ministry of the SBC we find in a report by the NAMB it is being used to reach people with the Gospel.

“In 2010, Southern Baptist hunger ministries fed more than 5 million meals to the hungry in North America. As a result, more than 33,000 professions of faith were reported.” (NAMB Report – PDF, 2010)

Thus, it appears that NAMB has abandoned completely the Domestic Hunger Fund.  I understand abandoning something that is not reaching people for Jesus Christ, but 33,000 professions of faith is not something to deride.  Unless, of course, the reports from NAMB are wrong.  If that is the case then Southern Baptist should be informed so we can know which reports to believe and which ones to hold suspect.

As to associational partnership, there is only one place NAMB acknowledges the association–in partnering for church planting.  All facets of the new Mission Statement have effectively eliminated the association.

Fourth the appearance of a complete take-over of the local association involvement in this report.

5. Assisting churches by providing leadership development.
Equip pastors for effective congregational leadership, contextual evangelism, and church planting; connect pastors to pastors through leadership development; encourage pastors as they serve in diverse congregational settings.

The description would be a great job description for a Director of Missions.  While the local association may not be fulfilling this objective I am not sure SB desire to relegate this to NAMB.  How does NAMB know what takes place on the ground in Union County, NC?  They don’t and the only way for them to find out is to send someone here.  If that takes place then we have imposed one autonomous organization (NAMB) upon another autonomous organization (Local Association).

Are there aspects of this new Mission Statement that are appealing?  There certainly are.  Space does not permit me to point them out.  Suffice it to say that I am in agreement that changes need to be made and some of these changes are very encouraging.  However, the four changes noted above need to be teased out more in order to assure SB that we still have a voice and the combining of NAMB and IMB is not the objective with these new Mission Statements.

The following is the original Mission Statement along with the proposed Mission Statement of the NAMB.

The current NAMB Mission Statement and Ministry Assignments are as follows:THE NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD Of the Southern Baptist ConventionMISSION The North American Mission Board exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, start New Testament congregations, minister to persons in the name of Christ, and assist churches in the United States and Canada in effectively performing these functions. MINISTRIES	Proposed NAMB Mission Statement and Ministry AssignmentsMission The North American Mission Board exists to work with churches, associations and state conventions in mobilizing Southern Baptists as a missional force to impact North America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism and church planting by:MINISTRIES
1.      Assist churches by the appointment and support of missionaries in the United States and Canada. Appoint, approve, support, and equip missions’ personnel; endorse chaplains; enlist and assist bivocational ministers in mission service.	1. Assisting churches in planting healthy, multiplying, evangelistic Southern Baptist churches in the United States and Canada. Work in partnership with churches, associations, and state conventions to start new congregations with a priority to reach population centers and underserved people groups; lead a missional movement to encourage Southern Baptist churches to become church planting congregations.
2.      Assist churches in the ministry of evangelism. Serve as a channel in motivating and helping churches, associations, and state conventions to develop and implement effective strategies of evangelism; implement direct evangelism projects in strategic areas.	2. Assisting churches in the ministries of evangelism and making disciples. Equip Southern Baptists for faithful evangelism; encourage churches in evangelism and discipleship; implement direct evangelism projects; prioritize spiritual awakening; develop an evangelism strategy for reaching North America with the Gospel.
3.      Assist churches in the establishment of new congregations. Work in partnership with churches, associations, and state conventions to start new congregations among all people groups; implement direct church starting projects in strategic areas.	3. Assisting churches by appointing, supporting and assuring accountability for missionaries serving in the United States and Canada. Appoint, approve, support and supervise missionaries assigned to accomplish the ministries of NAMB; endorse chaplains; enlist and assist bivocational ministers in mission service.
4.      Assist churches through Christian social ministries. Work with churches, associations, and state conventions in ministering to people with distinctive needs, seeking to bring them to wholeness in Jesus Christ; implement direct ministry projects in strategic areas.
5.      Assist churches through the involvement and coordination of their members in volunteer missions throughout the United States and Canada. Coordinate volunteer enlistment and training for volunteer mission and ministry projects in the United States and Canada; assist the International Mission Board in volunteer enlistment and training.	4.  Assisting churches by providing missions education and coordinating volunteer missions opportunities for church members. Develop organizations, services, and materials for establishing, enlarging, and improving missions and ministry learning and involvement experiences in churches; assist in volunteer mission involvement.
6.      Assist churches by involving their members in missions and missions education. Develop organizations, services, and materials for establishing, enlarging, and improving missions and ministry learning and involvement experiences in churches, associations, state conventions, and Canada.	5. Assisting churches by providing leadership development. Equip pastors for effective congregational leadership, contextual evangelism, and church planting; connect pastors to pastors through leadership development; encourage pastors as they serve in diverse congregational settings.
7.      Assist churches by communicating the gospel throughout the United States and Canada through communication technologies. Produce and present radio and television programming that extends the message of Southern Baptist churches; provide counseling services to persons who respond to radio and television programs; assist churches, associations, state conventions, and Southern Baptist Convention entities to effectively use radio and television in accomplishing their tasks.
8.     Assist churches by strengthening associations and providing services to associations. Strengthen the work of associations by assisting them in developing, resourcing, and implementing effective strategies that undergird churches and their work.
9.     Assist churches in relief ministries to victims of disaster. Provide appropriate assistance to special disaster relief ministries such as the National Fellowship of Baptists in Missions and Disaster Relief.	6. Assisting churches in relief ministries to victims of disaster and other people in need. Provide appropriate assistance and coordination in service to state Baptist conventions when multi-state and national disaster responses are needed; coordinate with federal government as well as national disaster relief entities to ensure good response coordination on behalf of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief; direct and assist Christian social ministries.

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