Growing 'Great Commission eyes'

Two Baptist Press stories appearing in this issue caught my attention as examples of sacrificial giving to Southern Baptist missions causes.

The first article relates the decision of First Baptist Church, Springdale, Ark., to suspend its weekly television ministry in favor of sending more money to “seeing the nations come to Christ through the work of Southern Baptists.” The church’s pastor, Ronnie Floyd, says that serving as chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force this past year has “so changed my life and ministry perspective.” Certainly, Floyd, who has been vocal in urging pastors of other large churches to increase their Cooperative Program support, is putting himself on the line by making good on his promises to increase CP giving from the church that he serves. (See full story on page 6.)

While the total CP giving of the Springdale congregation, which averages about 6,300 in worship attendance, increases to about $500,000—approximately 3.7 percent of its undesignated receipts of $13.37 million--the move still represents a 25 percent increase over the preceding year and more than double what it gave two years ago. That is a commendable step, particularly since the increase comes at a time when the church cut its budget by $600,000.

Much has been said in press conferences, columns and blogs in recent months concerning the desire to see a Great Commission resurgence. The task force’s report affirms the Cooperative Program as the “preferred conduit of Great Commission funding” and “the most effective and efficient means of channeling the sacrificial support of our churches.” And what Southern Baptists need now is for worthy examples to arise among the leaders of our national and state conventions in increasing support for cooperative missions endeavors. Indeed, grand words ring hollow when sacrificial commitment does not follow.

The other article comes from a small congregation in a completely different part of our world—a third-world country devastated by a recent earthquake. Nazarite Baptist Church in Northern Haiti recently gave 20,000 gourdes, or about $500, to be used to “help the poor people of Port-au-Prince who lost everything in the earthquake.” Admittedly, the gift doesn’t sound that remarkable to most American ears, but the amount represents about two-years’ wages for the average Haitian. (See full article on page 3.)

“With a dirt floor, walls of white mud packed onto rough-hewn wooden slats and a metal roof, the church building belies its members’ spirit of selflessness and generosity,” observes freelance writer Margaret Dempsey-Colson. Even more commendable, the church had been praying for an adequate facility to be used for a desperately needed school, but they chose to give to missions instead.

Dennis Wilbanks of the Florida Baptist Convention believes the gift signifies the maturing of the church “from a people who are only recipients to a people who are givers.” In their willingness to give sacrificially, in spite of their dire needs, they set an example for other believers—particularly Americans who, in comparison, give from abundance.

In that same story are reports of a growing receptiveness to the gospel. Haitian pastors count more than 135,000 professions of faith since the earthquake, and 135 new churches have sprung up in the past four months. Through their gifts to Cooperative Program, prayers and involvement in missions, every Southern Baptist church shares in victories like these.

In “The Purpose Driven Life,” Rick Warren advocates that we think like “world-class Christians.” Citing Philippians 2:4, the transformation, he says, entails a shift from self-centered thinking to other-centered thinking, and is achieved by adopting Paul’s mindset in 1 Corinthians 10:33: “I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.” In this way, we develop what he calls our “Great Commission eyes” through which we see and seize opportunities to “do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ.”

Warren urges, “The Great Commission is your commission, and doing your part is the secret to living a life of significance.” The disciple’s mission is clear, but not simple: “Go everywhere in the world and tell the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15). Here’s how Warren explains our common call: “God invites you to participate in the greatest, largest, most diverse, and most significant cause in history—his kingdom. … He’s building his family for eternity. Nothing matters more, and nothing will last as long.”

These examples of sacrificial giving, along with stories like the one about Hunsinger Lane Baptist Church in Louisville adopting an unreached people group in Indonesia, are reminders that if we are serious about being like Jesus, we must grow “Great Commission eyes” and nurture a heart for the whole world—not just for our desires and happiness or that of our families, friends or churches.

Western Recorder issue date July 13, 2010