The International Mission Board (IMB) is in another transition of leadership after 3 years of blessings with Tom Elliff in the top spot. Although this may be a little sooner than some expected, it is certainly no big surprise considering Elliff’s age (no offense intended). The IMB is at a pivotal point in its existence and many missions-loving Southern Baptists like me are earnestly praying for a strong, loving, and capable leader to lead this far-reaching ministry at this momentous time. I offer these simple contemplations of connecting with the IMB with the hope that they may in some way make a contribution to our cooperative missions efforts across the globe.
1. We Need To Win Souls.
1. We Need To Win Souls.
I realize that bridge-building needs to take place and in some areas it may take longer than in other areas. However, too often there are missionaries (and local pastors) who spend so much time building bridges that they never cross over and actually share the gospel. I also know that different situations around the world sometimes require our missionaries to work through various vocations just to be allowed to be present in the region without persecution and/or expulsion. We may also want to reconsider any missiological strategy that focuses the vast majority of our personnel in areas of the world that are least responsive to the gospel. Definitely we should be wise in these matters and be sensitive to where God has prepared people’s hearts to receive the gospel, but we must always be intentional about the one purpose for which we are alive - to preach the gospel and make disciples. I also don’t want to do construction work that robs local workers of employment and call it missions. Nor do I see much sense in spending thousands of dollars to send people across the world to have only a “cross-cultural experience” and call it missions. This is not meant as a grumbling criticism at all, rather it is a clarion call for Southern Baptists to stay focused on what made us the largest missionary sending agency in the world. May our hearts beat for the winning of souls! May we constantly be focused on leading people to Jesus! When people are getting saved, God and His people get excited and there will be great blessings. “He that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30)
2. We Need To Train National Leaders.
2. We Need To Train National Leaders.
Jesus is coming back at the pre-appointed time. We don’t know when that is and we can’t make it happen. I appreciate the zeal of those who are in a hurry to reach every people group with the gospel and there must be a sense of urgency to our task. However, we must not stop short of the fullness of the Great Commission. We must make disciples who will do the same. 2% of a people considered to be evangelized hardly seems like a sufficient number. I have been in parts of the world where the numbers are much higher among those who are considered “reached” peoples only to find cults that are called churches and faithful members who have heard the name of Jesus but not the Jesus of the Bible. If there is not faithful pastoral leadership training following the initial evangelistic efforts the work either dissipates altogether or the leadership falls into heresy and departs from the faith once delivered. I have personally talked with indigenous pastors who say they are thankful to the IMB for bringing them life in Jesus, but now they are infants and still need help only to find that personnel is either not available, not being appointed to that area, or not very helpful. Some experts may dismiss me as naive or even somewhat ignorant. I must admit that there is always more that I don’t know but I do know what I have seen and heard in various parts of the world. Let us be committed to the fullness of the Great Commission and may we train pastors to biblically lead the churches Jesus loves so dearly. “commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim. 2:2
3. We Must Improve Connections With Local Churches.
3. We Must Improve Connections With Local Churches.
The days of local churches blindly sending CP gifts is rapidly vanishing. Churches want involvement in their missions efforts in the least and some even want complete ownership. The IMB has done well in the attempts to connect churches through the EMBRACE program. Although there should be extra careful attention to avoid the usual pitfalls of a denominational bureaucratic program these efforts deserve thundering applause. Churches want to know who they are supporting and are now even adopting people groups for long-term relationships of reaching and teaching. Praise God! Be careful, I have been invited on 2 separate occasions to bring a team of volunteers halfway across the world that we might provide childcare for our missionaries while they have a regional meeting amongst themselves. Please take note, that does not excite missions-minded churches in the U.S.! We want hands on soul-winning and to work side by side with national church leaders in Christ’s building of His church. Read 1 Corinthians 16 and see how well Paul informed the churches regarding his missionary efforts. The churches were involved and Paul’s “missions agency” thrived.
The church I serve loves the SBC Cooperative Program. We love the IMB. I have greatly benefited from the CP efforts of faithful Christians in Baptist churches. I love being a Southern Baptist. I don’t really care how young or old the next IMB President may be. I don’t really care if he has been a pastor, missionary, or VP. It makes little difference to me how “famous” he is in SBC life. I do think he should be a man who weeps for souls to be saved and strategically works to get it done in the power of the Holy Spirit. I love the IMB and I will continue to support our CP efforts, but I really hope the next President agrees with these 3 simple contemplations.
