Spiritual revitalization, full missional partnership, diversification, and a challenging future were the recurring ideas shared at this convocation among the over 400 Directors of Missions who attended. Last week’s Convocation on Associational missions held in Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina was by most accounts a very successful and encouraging meeting. It was encouraging to have the North American Mission Board show its concern and support for Associational work in a renewed and significant way. It was successful because over half of the active Directors of Missions from all over North America were sharing their ideas, concerns, and dreams for the future.
This convocation differed from previous convocations because of length, period of time since the last one, and the times in which we are living. The last event like this was held in 1989. Three other convocations have been held. In 1963, 1974, and 1981 many of the issues that faced these earlier convocations have experienced significant metamorphosis in the 20 years since the most recent event. The other events were also longer in duration taking most of a week to dialogue, consider, and formulate conclusions. However, some significant findings emerged in our time together on the mountain.
First, almost to the last man, a real concern for the spiritual needs and attitudes of Associational Directors of Missions, Associations and churches came to the surface. Spiritual revitalization, what I am sure our predecessors would have called spiritual revival, has not swept this country in many decades. The DoM’s shared a common recognition of the spiritual struggle in the absence of the Holy Spirit’s power. It is the prayer and desire of this group to see change in this important area of the ministry of their associations of churches, and in their own lives.
Secondly, there was a hope that in the face of today’s opportunities, associations would be elevated in the view of all SBC entities as full partners in the work of reaching the world for Christ. Among all levels of denominational life, only the association has the assignment for every area of the mission effort in Acts 1:8, working alongside local churches to share that assignment in new and vibrant ways.
Third, diversification of mission opportunities locally and globally was recognized as the most exciting prospect for the future. The nations have come to us. Whether we live in a large metropolitan area or a rural area people with different cultures, languages, and customs surround us. This is both exciting and challenging as churches work to meet these changes with effective ministries designed to share the Gospel in the midst of diverse and changing cultures. The dominant culture of our continent has rapidly given way to a stew of cultures weaving a more colorful pattern into the life of North America.
Finally, the presence of rapid, discontinuous change makes responding to the future the greatest challenge the churches and the Gospel they proclaim face as we enter the second decade of the third millennium. Structures set in stone are inundated with a flood of change that makes them less able to respond quickly enough to make the difference they could have made. In short, the 21st century is looking more like the first century than any of the intervening centuries.
Second Corinthians 11:28 may be the passage that best characterizes the work of the missionaries in associations across this continent. Paul says in the context of defending his apostleship to the Corinthian Christians that, “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.” This is the heartbeat of the men and women who serve in associations all over the land. From the greatest to the least, they bear the burden of the churches in a way that no other group bears it.
While this only represents a few of the great ideas, opportunities, and concerns shared at this historic convocation, it points to the greatest need in our day which is for God to visit his people with a real, tangible, and empowering manifestation of His presence. We need His presence through His Spirit in order that the work of the Kingdom might again see dramatic results as it did in previous times. Pray with me, that just such a movement of God would begin among associational leaders and spread to the ends of the earth.
This convocation differed from previous convocations because of length, period of time since the last one, and the times in which we are living. The last event like this was held in 1989. Three other convocations have been held. In 1963, 1974, and 1981 many of the issues that faced these earlier convocations have experienced significant metamorphosis in the 20 years since the most recent event. The other events were also longer in duration taking most of a week to dialogue, consider, and formulate conclusions. However, some significant findings emerged in our time together on the mountain.
First, almost to the last man, a real concern for the spiritual needs and attitudes of Associational Directors of Missions, Associations and churches came to the surface. Spiritual revitalization, what I am sure our predecessors would have called spiritual revival, has not swept this country in many decades. The DoM’s shared a common recognition of the spiritual struggle in the absence of the Holy Spirit’s power. It is the prayer and desire of this group to see change in this important area of the ministry of their associations of churches, and in their own lives.
Secondly, there was a hope that in the face of today’s opportunities, associations would be elevated in the view of all SBC entities as full partners in the work of reaching the world for Christ. Among all levels of denominational life, only the association has the assignment for every area of the mission effort in Acts 1:8, working alongside local churches to share that assignment in new and vibrant ways.
Third, diversification of mission opportunities locally and globally was recognized as the most exciting prospect for the future. The nations have come to us. Whether we live in a large metropolitan area or a rural area people with different cultures, languages, and customs surround us. This is both exciting and challenging as churches work to meet these changes with effective ministries designed to share the Gospel in the midst of diverse and changing cultures. The dominant culture of our continent has rapidly given way to a stew of cultures weaving a more colorful pattern into the life of North America.
Finally, the presence of rapid, discontinuous change makes responding to the future the greatest challenge the churches and the Gospel they proclaim face as we enter the second decade of the third millennium. Structures set in stone are inundated with a flood of change that makes them less able to respond quickly enough to make the difference they could have made. In short, the 21st century is looking more like the first century than any of the intervening centuries.
Second Corinthians 11:28 may be the passage that best characterizes the work of the missionaries in associations across this continent. Paul says in the context of defending his apostleship to the Corinthian Christians that, “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.” This is the heartbeat of the men and women who serve in associations all over the land. From the greatest to the least, they bear the burden of the churches in a way that no other group bears it.
While this only represents a few of the great ideas, opportunities, and concerns shared at this historic convocation, it points to the greatest need in our day which is for God to visit his people with a real, tangible, and empowering manifestation of His presence. We need His presence through His Spirit in order that the work of the Kingdom might again see dramatic results as it did in previous times. Pray with me, that just such a movement of God would begin among associational leaders and spread to the ends of the earth.
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1 comment:
Thanks for the reminder that "we bear the burden of the churches in a way that no other group bears it."
We are the closest group to the churches and we should and must have a contextual relationship with them.
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