A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

In our role as a DOM, Associational Missionary, ADOM, or whatever our title, we have a common task of leadership. Much like Jeremiah, we must cry out to our own people during uncertain times knowing that there will be some who heed and some who scoff. That cannot
deter us from speaking prophetically.

I'm sure we all have all sorts of congregations. Some have been the flagships for us in years gone by while others are up and coming. Still others are dead or dying and unfortunately, with the limits of our Baptist polity, we are virtually without authority to change their course. Whether, up and coming, stagnant or dying, all of them have one thing in common. Decisions! Each of them have made or are making decisions that determine their future.

It is at this juncture where we can speak with Biblical authority. We must not be timid and just allow tragic consequences to occur. Jeremiah delivered the "Word of the Lord" and risked unpopularity. He was indeed the weeping prophet but today we know who Jeremiah was and
his detractors are virtual nobodies. What made him the man that he was? Courage! Courage to speak in the face of false hope and a willingness to embrace the eternal and unchanging truths of God characterized him. Jeremiah knew the plans of God and his nature was to give them a hope and a future but that didn't stop him from dealing with the immediate crisis at hand. He spoke and while some scoffed, others built houses, planted vineyards, and sought the prosperity of the
land in which they dwelt.

I see the same two responses today. It seems that the parable of the talents is being lived out in our own association. Those churches that are making poor decisions and are burying their talents are slowly but certainly dying. All the while, my five and ten talent churches are making courageous decisions to obey the Great Commission and are being added to regularly. Again, I ask, what makes such a difference. Decisions based on the eternal truths of God. While God winnows His harvest fields, to those who have (faith) much is given and to those who have not, it is being taken away even what they have!

As the prophetic voices crying in the wilderness, we need to courageously speak, not fearing their dissent. We must help all of our churches to lift up their eyes and see from where we've fallen.

Repent and do the first works!

Speak Prophet; your audience is not just on earth!

Steve Patterson, Director of Missions
Spring River Baptist Association
Joplin, MO