| This week between Rick camping and me watching over the homefront, we had the opportunity to spend some time with two IMB missionary couples. As we discussed their ministries, families and yes, the new policies, we were overwhelmed with the graciousness they continually displayed. Although the missionaries do not agree with many of the recent IMB decisions, they said at this point they could only submit to their leaders and pray for change. As we shared information with them about the D's (of which they were unaware) they expressed concern due to the fact that many of our IMB missionaries are involved in work similar to that in which the D's are possibly being removed for. So, that leaves us all with the question of "who's next?" |
posted by Christie
Thursday, April 06, 2006
| Thom Rainer has written an insightful article on evangelism published in this weeks edition of the Florida Baptist Witness. He says, "The facts of a 2004 research project I led are sobering. It takes 86 church members in America one year to reach a person for Christ...if the research is even close to accurate, the reality is that the church is not reproducing herself. In just one or two generations, Christianity could be so marginalized that it will be deemed irrelevant by most observers." Rainer says the church has become "evangelistically anemic" due to doctrinal ineffectiveness, less evangelistic church leaders and Christians who are passionate about minor issues instead of the Gospel. You can read the article in its entirety here. |
posted by Christie
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
| In the 19th century the idea of Landmarkism arose within the Southern Baptist Convention and from its inception was met with controversy. Understanding Landmark views on the local church, successionism, baptism and the Lord's Supper, it's no surprise that missions was an area that Landmarkers sought diligently to reform. Several of the fathers of the movement fought against the then, Foreign Mission Board and actually carried out a failed attempt to have it abolished at the Southern Baptist Convention in 1859. This is due in part to the fact that Landmarkism rejected not only alien immersion and communion, but also alien preaching. Since the Baptist church was considered to be the only legitimate local church, then preaching which did not disseminate from that source was not considered valid. That led Landmarkers to reject, not missions itself, but much of the work of the Foreign Mission Board. Although Landmark thought did see decline, it has unfortunately never died. Over 100 years separates us from the original controversies, yet it seems that not much has changed. Today we are faced with the possible removal of missionaries due to their partnership with a non-Baptist, although baptistic group. An almost successful church plant among an unreached people group, which followed all of the guidelines given to the missionaries, has now been put on hold due to a resurgence of Landmark ideology. Taken to its fullest logical conclusion, Landmarksim would eradicate not only the work of these missionaries, but also our entire system of mission work. The dangers of these views are obvious and although it might not have previously seemed like a controlling factor, Landmarkism is profoundly affecting the ecclesiology and polity within our Convention. The recent policy changes of the International Mission Board concerning baptism are a bold statement affirming that fact. With our Convention in such an awkward state, more than ever we need to pray for our leaders, defend our missionaries and get involved ourselves if we are concerned for the future of Southern Baptist life. While Landmarkism may have found a foothold, it doesn't have to gain a stranglehold. (Source used, The Southern Baptist Convention by Jesse C. Fletcher) |
posted by Christie
Monday, April 03, 2006
| After a two week hiatus, it's good - no it's great - to be back. The previous weeks have afforded me the opportunity to attend the IMB trustee meeting with Rick and then spend a week with my family while he lived the life of a lonely bachelor back at home. Several things - including missing my husband and the constant broadcast of Walker Texas Ranger (my parents favorite) beckoned me northward. So now, life as normal, or at least normal for us, will hopefully resume. Now that I'm home, I'm embarking on a new journey. This will be the first time since I turned seventeen that I haven't been employed. From part-time summer positions and work-study in college to being a bank teller and most recently an office manager, it seems I've always had a job. However, I don't miss the work-force at all and have already considered hundreds of ways in which I can enjoy my newfound freedom. I'm going to attempt to catch up with everyone. It may take a while, so be patient. Hopefully, there will be more to come soon. |
posted by Christie