Two Steps Forward and Three Steps Back

Sometimes we are absolutely our own worst enemies. Instead of helping ourelves we shoot ourselves in the foot. That is exactly what I believe happened at the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas in Hillsboro on Wednesday November 15th.

In fact, I believe we shot ourselves in both feet. Although the vote was 75-74 to put a proven missionary on salary, it sent a message loud and clear that at least half were generally isolated from the rest of the world and ignorant of church planting terminologies that embody everything we believe about the Great Commission. When the missionary declined to be put on salary after recognizing the division it was causing he displayed courage and Christian grace choking back his disappointment. What a great example of spiritual humility.

If this association is ever going to get past the last 40 years of mostly failed church planting and begin moving into the real world of reaching the 'next generation' they will have to make drastic changes in the way they do business. It is time to change for the good.

In order to undo what took place Wednesday it will take an act of God's intervention to change the hearts of those who have opposed themselves. What took place on Wednesday is the very same reason that several state associations no longer send out any missionaries/church planters at all in their state associations through the salaried program; the reason? Unbelievable criticism and denunciation against those who were advancing with vision for the kingdom of God. Those same churches and pastors no longer waste their time in meetings that produce only chaos and discouragment. That is where we are headed if something seriously constructive is not done to avert the coming fall-out.

Who will be bold enough to rise up with some solutions and take the bull by the horns for a change.