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Post by dannybouysou on Jun 10, 2010 7:12:42 GMT -5
In a few days Southern Baptist will decide the fate of the Cooperative Program(CP.) If successful, those pushing their agenda under the name of the Great Commision Resurgence(GCR) will remove the genuis and spirit of the CP by allowing mega churches to count designated giving equal to cooperative giving. This will in effect give mega churches with mega bucks worldly credit for what they have done. In God's economy it is not the size of the gift but the spirtual willingness to be a part of God's work. What would be a better alternative to the GCR?
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Post by Mike Miller on Jun 10, 2010 8:11:37 GMT -5
Dan, my take on the GCR is the same as yours. I see it as a huge step backward for Gospel ministry cooperation. The genius of the Southern Baptist Convention is its Cooperative Program, which was created as a more effective means of funding Great Commission ministries than the old society method. I think the GCR recommendation, if approved, will have the effect of recreating the society mentality with our agencies and institutions competing with one another for funding. What is a better alternative? I don't have all the answers, but then again only a handful of mega-church pastors and bigwigs have been in on the conversation. Do we need to re-evaluate our structures, systems, and methods? You bet. Every organization should do that regularly in order to make sure we are operating as efficiently as possible. But here's my take: our greatest need is not a new document praising the giving methods of mega churches. Our greatest need is a movement of the Holy Spirit. Churches are not reaching people for Jesus. We spend more money on our buildings than we do on missions. We spend more time fighting each other than winning souls. Our church rolls are glutted with people who never darken our doors. Most Christians give little or nothing to their churches and do little to advance the Gospel. In essence, we are living in Laodicea. A better alternative to the GCR? God's people crying out for revival. Of course, some will say, "But we still need to restructure, rethink, etc." You bet. But glorifying the mega churches isn't the way. Let's streamline our state conventions, get rid of bureaucracy and red tape, and strengthen the Cooperative Program. BTW--not saying I'm an endorser of everything they say (I don't know everything about them), but check out this website. It's very telling: www.sbcmajority.comAlso, check out Henry Blackaby's take on it. I am in complete agreement with him: www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=30477
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Post by Mike Miller on Jun 16, 2010 9:51:25 GMT -5
While I am still in full agreement with Blackaby, this week turned out very well. The language relative to the Cooperative Program was greatly strengthened to the point that I voted in favor of the GCR Task Force's recommendation. I am hopeful.
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