More Articles
Our Board of Directors approved a strategy planning process for our convention in June. A diverse Strategy Planning Leadership Team of 25 people from across our state is giving direction to the process. We are currently completing a data gathering stage which includes congregational listening sessions, an online survey, and leadership interviews with new paradigm ministry organizations. If you have not completed the online survey we encourage you to go to our website (www.baptistgcm.org) and click on the link on our homepage. The survey only takes a few minutes, and your input is a valuable part of the process.
Our world is changing at an incredible pace, and our churches are confronted with hundreds of new challenges and incredible opportunities every day. Services and programs once provided by denominational organizations no longer seem relevant to the needs of many of our churches. Church leaders now face problems we could not have imagined only a few years ago. When I was a boy, we received reports and updates from missionaries on the field slowly, and they seemed so far away. Today, we talk with missionaries almost daily with voice over IP (internet provider) and video conferencing. Churches access training sessions via the internet and network with churches in another state or on another continent. Communication and technology seem to change almost daily. Churches now have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to keep their members informed and to facilitate small group communication and dialogue.
All of these changes sometimes leave church leaders struggling with problems and concerns we did not have to address only a few years ago. Some churches need help with the transitions. Others need assistance in identifying and engaging the new opportunities they have to minister in their community. As incredible as it seems in the midst of these opportunities the overwhelming majority of Baptist congregations in our state are plateaued or declining in attendance. Some do not know how to adjust to the incredible pace of change in our society.
Our mission is to serve churches and church leaders as they fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We desire to help churches they seek to lead to their members and others to love God and love each other. We serve them as they seek to make the rule and reign of Christ a reality in their world. One of our great advantages is we are a young and dynamic denominational organization which is not encumbered with large bureaucracies or traditions. We are a lean and flexible servant organization. We can change to become more effective. Our current strategy planning process is designed to allow us to re-examine both who we are and how we approach our ministry to local congregations. We want and need your input. Help us know how we could best serve your church. Share your ideas and suggestions. I would love to hear from you at jimhill@baptistgcm.org or (888) 420-2426, extension 705.
While our world is changing the Gospel is not. God still loves every person. We still have the incredible privilege of sharing the Good News with those trying to find their way through this world. We hope our strategy planning process will help us prepared to more effectively serve churches committed to this task. We would love to partner with your church.
