I’m excited to introduce and host a new website about the future of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which we’re calling “Conventional Futures.” Here’s a little of the heart behind the site:
The past few years have been challenging for the SBC. Many of our churches have seen their memberships dwindle, and more than a few are expected to close their doors in the next few years. We hear a lot about baptism numbers decreasing. And our budgeting shortfalls have led to something I never thought I’d see—having to bring more than 1,000 IMB personnel home from the field.
At the same time, I see a lot that encourages me. God has raised up some amazing leaders in the SBC, men and women who are working tirelessly in our churches and in our entities to press forward in mission. A new generation of Southern Baptists is showing unprecedented eagerness to love their neighbors, win them to Christ, and get the gospel to the least-reached.
There can also be no doubt the SBC experienced unusual grace with the Conservative Resurgence. Why would the Holy Spirit have done that if He were not to follow it up with a new era of effectiveness for gospel proclamation among the nations? God does what he does not to preserve institutions, but for the sake of the Great Commission. Those past graces are down payments on God’s willingness to bestow future graces.
So this is not a time to nurse our wounds or bemoan the worsening state of our society. It is a time for us to ask some tough questions.
What will it take to see these trends change? What does it mean to be a gospel people in this new, increasingly hostile era? How can we put missions back at the center of the convention? What are the biggest obstacles to the future of the SBC, and how can we overcome them?
These are the questions you’ll see addressed at Conventional Futures. I’ll be hosting conversations about important topics relating to the future of the SBC—inviting multiple pastors and leaders to share their thoughts. This is not an attempt to start debate. It’s an opportunity to hear what God has laid on the hearts of many of the leaders of the SBC. Personally, I’ve been asked a boatload of these questions since being announced as a nominee for the presidency of the SBC, but I believe God speaks through the multiplicity of leaders in his church. So we’ve provided a forum for multiple voices to speak.
I pray in the coming days that these articles will encourage you with the ways God’s Spirit is at work all throughout our convention. Times may seem dark, but if we cling to Christ I believe we may be on the cusp of some exciting works of God in the SBC.
I truly believe the best days of the SBC are ahead us. That’s not rah-rah motivational blather, but a firm conviction that mighty moves of God among his people are intended to result in mighty movements to the ends of the earth. God sent us the Conservative Resurgence so that he could lead us into a Great Commission Resurgence. There are still more than 6,000 unreached people groups in the world. That means the greatest things of God are right ahead of us. It is time again to expect great things of God, and then attempt great things for God.
For the last two years, I have prayed three things for the SBC:
-That God would continue to lead us in a re-awakening to the gospel. -That he would raise up the right leaders. -That he would lead us into a new era of sacrifice, faith, and efficiency for the sake of the Great Commission.
Would you join me in that?
Be sure to follow along with everything at ConventionalFutures.com. And don’t miss Aaron Jozwiak’s first post, from a small church pastor who knows that big churches don’t have the corner on big dreams for God.
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