Thousands of people will be paying close attention to the words of Ronnie Floyd on Monday evening, February 22. He will be in Nashville to address the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, but his audience will be much wider.
Ronnie Floyd is the chairman of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force, a group of men and women appointed by Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt. My denomination is struggling, not unlike most denominations across our nation. Baptisms are down. Attendance and membership have begun to decline. The SBC no longer has adequate funding to send all qualified missionaries to share the gospel with the nations.
So the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (GCRTF) was formed to address the tough issues. On Monday night we will hear the progress report of this group in anticipation of a full report at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando this June.
The Request
Chairman Floyd has sent one request to all who are watching this historic moment in the largest Protestant denomination in the world. He has asked for prayer. Indeed if there has been a consistency communicated from the GCRTF for the past several months, it has been a plea for prayer.
I do not know what Ronnie Floyd will say Monday. But I do know most of the men and women on the GCRTF. And I know they are godly people, seeking His will for this incredible time. I know President Johnny Hunt. He is man without guile, seeking the face of God for this denomination and her churches. I have confidence in these men and women because they have placed their confidence in the one true God. They know they cannot and dare not embark on this mission without His wisdom and guidance.
My Response
I will pray fervently for Ronnie Floyd. I am praying for him even now. I pray that God will so guide his words that we will have no doubt of the Source of his wisdom and strength.
I will continue to pray for all members of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. They are sacrificing much because they love this denomination and, even more, because they love Christ’s churches in the denomination. Their task will not be done on Monday. Much work remains in the months ahead.
I will also ask others to pray for the task force and for the Southern Baptist Convention. Some who read my blog are Southern Baptists; many are not. I would humbly ask my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world to pray for us, not because we deserve it, but because we so desperately need it.
My Own Need
Ultimately what happens in our denomination is not really the result of a task force, but the result of what happens in the hearts of those of us who serve in the local churches. I have been praying since June for my own Great Commission resurgence. I have seen God work in incredible ways. But I am a sinner who fails often. I must continue to pray for me, for my own obedience, and for an awakening in my own life and ministry.
You have my prayers, Ronnie Floyd. You have my prayers, Johnny Hunt. And you have my prayers Great Commission Resurgence Task Force.
But the greatest awareness that has come to me since the GCRTF was formed was how much I need prayer. I have so far to go. My prayers, though, are filled with hope. It really seems like a movement of God is underway. Perhaps our denomination will really be awakened. Perhaps our churches will truly experience revival.
And perhaps I can be used to be a more faithful servant to Him who has given me so much, none of which I deserve. Send a Great Commission resurgence Lord. Send it to our denomination and to our churches. And please God, let it come to me as well.
