This convocation was a North American Mission Board event, held by NAMB for Associational Leaders. I affirm NAMB for doing this for us. The issue I am struggling with is this, if NAMB controls Associational development by holding these events for us, then they have control of the agenda and will "steer" the future of Associational Missions from Alpharetta. The local association will become an extension of NAMB rather than a partner in local missions. We already struggle with this because so much of our funding comes from Alpharetta in the form of NAMB appointed personnel. Please don't hear me saying anything negative about our covenant with NAMB, I am not advocating any kind of revolt! My struggle has to do with perspective of leadership and how our relationship with NAMB tends to lead us away from healthy Baptist polity. I would like to suggest that we as Associational leaders seek a relationship with NAMB that is based on the Empowering Kingdom Growth initiative that was adopted by the SBC a few years ago.
The Empowering Kingdom Growth initiative has worked well in South Carolina because it took us back to our foundational Baptist polity that says the local church is the boss! It restructured our state convention and associations around a pivotal concept that forced us to listen to and respond to the local church rather than create programs and ask the churches to implement them. We moved toward a true "grass roots" leadership rather than the hierarchy that had been developed during the past 100 years and began to streamline our ministries. We became more effective in Kingdom work. Associations in SC were treated as true partners in ministry by the SC Convention and we began to take leadership in Associational Missions that the SC Convention began to follow and support. My point is this: SC Associations "own" associational development in SC.
The formation of the Network of Baptist Associations (NoBA) was a very positive move for associations nationally. It put a structure in place that had the potential to put the ownership of associational development in the hands of the associational leadership. We began to set the agenda and steer the course for the future of Baptist Associational Missions. If our relationship with NAMB is built upon the EKG vision then NoBA would set the agenda and NAMB would come alongside of NoBA to strengthen the work as a partner. I was glad to see that much of the agenda of the Convocation included the NoBA leadership but I fear that NAMB set the agenda. An EKG partner would allow the group that is being served set their own agenda.
Here is my bottom line, If NAMB really wants to partner with Associations, then let them support NoBA and its annual meeting rather than planning a NAMB meeting and inviting NoBA to participate. This is all about "who will steer he associational ship" in the future?
Remember the first NoBA meeting? We had a consultant from Coca-Cola that led us through some initial conversations about our role as associations. Do you remember the point when he stopped us in the middle of our "whining" and said something like, "Do you guys realize that you sound like victims? Do you operate out of a victim mentality? Are you subordinate to NAMB?" That comment galvanized us! It was at that point that we determined to take the lead and develop our own agenda concerning the future of Associationalism.
I can't help but wonder if, after 20 years, NAMBs decision to host a national convocation of associationalism was motivated by our formation of NoBA?
It will be very easy to slide back into our traditional "comfort zone" and let NAMB take control of the future of Baptist Associationalism once again. The only way to avoid it is to insist on setting the agenda ourselves. I truly believe this pivotal change in relationship will strengthen both NAMB an the local association.
Mike O'Dell, Director of Missions
York Baptist Association
Rock Hill, SC
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5 comments:
Good word, Mike. We have steadily wandered from Baptist polity by neglecting the truth that we all are here for the local church - association, state convention, SBC and entities. When we remember that it is our role to encourage and equip local churches in missions and ministry, then we'll be on track - and associations should be leading the way in this Kingdom effort.
Great conversation starter and good analysis, Mike. I heard this question raised in my breakout group, and it confirmed my concern about the autonomy (can I use that word?) of the association. Some of us practice that, while others are perhaps too tightly connected to state or national entities through funding streams or partnership agreements, etc. Associations are closest to the churches and are best positioned to be the resource of first priority.
The idea of partnering with NAMB for the NoBA meeting is well worth implementing. While partnering with NAMB and the former HMB for over 20 years as a church planter and an associational missionary, there has never been a time when I felt pressured to do or not do anything. The relationship has always been one of encouragement, support, and availability. There have been times when extra communication was needed to help them understand the context in which we serve, but there has not been an attempt to control or manipulate. Our NoBA officers can communicate the sentiment about the agenda by inviting NAMB to the table on our annual conference and I will be surprised if there is a rejection or a control issue. The vital word Mike shared about the centrality of the local church and the call for all of us to keep that in focus as we lead by serving its and its leaders needs.
I do not agree that NAMB is attempting control. The agenda was planned with imput from DOMs.
I feel that money was well spent and I commend them. Partnering with NOBA would be partnering with a limited group of DOMs.
George Berger
I find the article timely and on target. Timely due to the study of SBC approaches taking place by the GCR Task Force, and the renewed emphasis of the primacy of the local church, and on target in that Associations should be at the forefront of serving, supporting, and strategically facilitating local SBC churches.
I like the South Carolina EKG approach and local initiative.
I also find that Hugh Townsend and the Associational Strategies Team at NAMB share this belief. I don't know about further up.
But at this time especially it is worth noting and acting on the Association as equal missions partner closest to the churches...uniquely positioned to be of strategic value.
SBCaDOM and NoBA can facilitate such initiative and dialogue in this time of revisiting the SBC paradigm(s) of cooperation.
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