What’s In A Name?
When the Committee was named by SBC President Bryant Wright there was the usual talk about the restrictions churches, pastors and church planters face with “Southern” in the convention moniker. I wonder if Southwest Airlines, Northern Trust, Bank of the West, Massachusetts Mutual, New York Life, and other companies struggle with these same issues?  I suspect that “Baptist” in the name may be more odious to unreached unbelievers than “Southern” but now we will never know.

If “Southern” is a problem and does not communicate without explanation, then I can only imagine the confusion “Great Commission Baptist Convention” might cause. Those four words, however important, would take quite a bit of explaining. Can you imagine the branding issues associated with explaining “Great Commission” + “Baptist” + “Convention” to the lost and unchurched in your area?

Name Change, Real Change? 
Names change, brands change, and entities change constantly and hopefully for the better. The rebranding discussion in the Southern Baptist Convention gives another opportunity for its member churches to rethink their relationship to the Convention, its leadership, its agencies, and its future. Maybe it’s not the name that needs changing. A positive name change needs to signal a future change in an entity or to reflect a past/current change in an entity. This discussion went nowhere because so far a new name doesn’t signal anything new for now or the future.

Give people a compelling image of the future and most any name, new or old, will be a good one.

Joe Paterno passed away after a short battle with cancer.  His final battle was an exemption from a larger one looming over his role in the public scandal surrounding Jerry Sandusky.  Jerry Sandusky has been tried in the court of public opinion while he awaits trial on charges handed down by a grand jury.  When the story broke it triggered an emotional firestorm that scorched everything in its path-school administrators, athletic personnel, family members and even the reluctant alleged victims who have come forward with their allegations.

Guilt By Association

Joe Paterno, the legendary football coach of Penn State, was drawn into the vortex of this storm like a tin roof in a tornado.  His association with Mr. Sandusky, his knowledge of at least one incident of sexual misconduct, and his failure to “do more” are all factors in this fluid story.  By his own admission his sorrow over the events that are alleged was one of his greatest disappointments.  For the record, when he learned of an incident from a coach on his staff he told his superiors believing they would do right by investigating the allegation and taking proper action.

The shock of the allegations brought all associated with Penn State as well as the rest of the nation to a lingering frenzy.  Many angry over the allegations have taken a scorched earth stance by condemning everyone remotely close to what happened.  Not even  Joe Paterno is exempt.  The Penn State University Board fired him despite his stellar reputation, his support for the University, his documented integrity, and the love he knew from players, coaches and fans.  He was given no reason, no hearing and no time to understand the Board’s actions.  As events continue to unfold, it seems that the Board saw the chance to remove Coach Paterno without cause and the Sandusky allegations gave them the perfect opportunity.  In fact it seems now that the unanimous vote was an effective quick strike.  Paterno eagerly promised to have his public say but he became ill and died without that opportunity.

Opinions and Truth

Will he receive a pardon for having done too little to late?  He did nothing illegal.  He informed his superiors.  He awaited the results.  What he got was fired and hung in the court of public opinion.  In the end Coach Paterno’s life and legacy may be marred by the events surrounding his final days on earth.  What he should have done remains is cause for speculation and what he did is insufficient for his critics.  Will he ultimately be pardoned?  It is doubtful that those who quickly condemned him will find a way out of their opinions.  People who carry stones in their pockets are always ready to move on to their next opportunity.

No there will be no pardon or apology to Paterno.  His death makes that irrelevant.  Sorry Joe.  You deserved better but don’t worry the truth has a way of coming to light.  When it does I hope is shines on your legacy and blinds those who have judged you in self-righteous haste.

We have one African American on our staff and only a score of African Americans who belong and attend our church, but that is enough. Who we are is not determined by a majority or minority  but by every individual who joins others to collectively become a congregation. Observing MLK Day is a way of saying you are important to us and what is important to you is important to us no matter how we might understand it. Dr. King’s life and impact is different for everyone. His impact on my African American brothers and sisters is enough for me to stop and share the day with them.

Martin Luther King
I was thirteen years old when Dr. King delivered his famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. I watched him on television and knew that Americans would never be the same. The debates, marches, violence and legislation that followed changed us forever. His legacy seems greater than his life in many ways. Alive he was a great man. In legacy, he is a movement which continues to do its work. I do not understand all of it and I know I do not appreciate what it means to many which is another reason to observe this day. It is a way to recognize that some people represent more than we can fathom. Dr. King was that kind of person.

A Simple Act
I know that like me, most of my staff and people may not give this day the significance that some will. I do not pretend to understand or feel the full weight of Dr. King’s life and legacy. I do not set aside my own cultural heritage in an effort to be “accepted” or “culturally correct”. I have no time for that. I won’t be at any political speeches, parades, or school programs. I will simply take time Monday to think about him and what his impact is.  Observing this day is a simple act of respect for a great person and for many of my friends who became friends through the life and legacy of a man who simply did what he could to make things right.

Dreams are fueled by a combination of imagination, desire, optimism, and a sense of what is fulfilling.  They are the stuff that motivates our hard work and often when realized are compensation enough to satisfy our souls.  Dreams have been the key ingredient for men and women to attempt impossible things bringing those imagined thoughts into a living reality.  Dreams keep people going through difficult seasons and give others determination not to fail.

Are Dreams Enough?

Despite the power and effects of our dreams, however, they are not enough.  Most everyone has dreams and most of those dreams go unrealized because substance is lacking for our thoughts to be turned into reality.  It is a leader’s role to take big ideas and turn them into reality.  This is the hard work  of leadership but is crucial if anything is going to be accomplished.  Leaders remove words like “ought”, “should” and “might” from their discussions replacing them with “will”, “must”, and “can”.  Dreams that are accomplished require a clear vision, a definite process, clear decision-making, timely measurements, and constant evaluation.

A vision differs from a dream in that it is a clear articulation of an achievable future.  When a dream is shared often the dreamer has difficulty explaining or convincing another person of its merit and nature.  When a vision is shared a leader is able to clearly articulate what the “big idea” is and how it is to be transformed into reality.  If you cannot explain your vision in a few sentences and a short time then you probably don’t have one.

Are Visions Enough?

Visions produce the hard stuff of transformation.  Transformation of an idea includes an accurate assessment of the current environment or state of the organization followed by the strategic intentions that are to be implemented to realize the vision.  Also, an accurate understanding of the current organization, an evaluation of the people currently employed, the culture of the organization and finally the work that has to be done to be successful is essential.  Then the vision must be tested in the light of perceived forces that will both help and prevent the organization to be successful.

This is a common process for those who operate their lives and organizations by clear visions.  In reality, however, most leaders never do the hard work required to see dreams realized.  I think one reason is because leaders are generally not trained in the processes of visioning and planning.  In addition, they did not know where to go for the resources required to be successful.

There Is Help – And it is Simple!

I am aware of many helpful resources but frankly most of them are out of reach in costs, too complex, or hard to use.  One resource that I can recommend that is available, easy to use, and is supported by competent professionals is Seen and Sustained, of Brandbuilder Publications and The Virginia Baptist State Convention, Inc. (VBSC).  Seen and Sustained is a workbook co – authored by Dr. Leonard N. Smith, VBSC President and Senior Minister of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, VA and Akia Garnett, VBSC Communication Officer and President and CEO of Brandbuilder. It is an effective tool based on the concept of continuous improvement rather than crisis management which allows a leader to work with his/her leaders to move from vision to reality. Churches and non-profits can expect excellent results when using this product.

Scripture says that “without a vision the people perish.”  The reason people perish and are scattered is that their dreams die never fulfilled.  If you are a leader move your dreams into the reality of a vision which motivates you to the actions necessary to be successful.

Most of the time those who make these statements have good reason for concern and they often make their points with heartfelt passion.  They refer to churches that are filled with believers who lack true belief, authentic lives, and display only marginal commitments.  In addition, they point out that many persons stumble over the claims of Christ and never give an ear to actually hearing the gospel because of these professing Christians.

In their concern for the kingdom, these pundits give the usual statistics about how many persons in the United States are “spiritual” but not religious and how many current believers are willing to “do” church without ever attending a church.  What typically follows are calls for church discipline, changing church structures, planting house churches, planting relevant churches, and doing ministries in effective ways.

I agree most of the time with the concerns and I can see value in most of the suggestions on how we might reach our culture in more effective ways.  To these concerns and suggestions I might add a few of my own.  When I search scripture for answers for today I am encouraged that these trends are not new and the problems we face have already been recognized with solid answers provided.  A few observations:

1.  Stay with scripture.  Many are involved in researching the problems, identifying trends, criticizing current congregations,believers, and offering solutions.  Unfortunately for some, scripture is only quoted not followed.  We make serious mistakes if we think that analyzing trends and changing methods will change the world.  It never has unless solutions come from scripture and are put in contemporary contexts.

2.  Stop blaming everyone else.  If you have answer, share it.  If you don’t, seek one.  If you can’t then be quiet.  Trends, surveys, research and cultural solutions are only that.  Also, invite those who have been in the fight for a while to join the dialogue.  Describing the problem is not finding the solution.  If you think your data is correct, shouldn’t all believers and congregations be served with it.  New is not always better when its just new.

3.  Try to gain some perspective about why things are the way they are right now.  This just did not happen overnight.  Be aware of what happened in the 70′s and 80′s when similar concerns were addressed.  We are going to need new understandings but we have to understand them in a larger context that the last fifteen years.  There are some people who have been at this a while with keen insights that might be helpful.

4.  Give solutions that are helpful to pastors and congregations.  If you do not help the Body of Christ you are wasting time.  Deliver the information and solutions to those who are in the trenches with all ages not just one segment.  We must have a kingdom view that includes everyone.

5.  Remember that all our problems are spiritual and thus have spiritual solutions.  Knowing the times, understanding salvation history, trusting the Bible, following the Spirit’s leading, and exalting Christ is always the foundation.  There is no power on earth that can overcome righteousness, purity, and the power of God that transforms our lives and the lives of those we encounter as Salt and Light.

6. Make sure your own life is transparent and authentic.  Hiding behind the problems of others is not the same as honestly finding solutions to those problems.  There are many researchers, critics, new voices, and dreamers today with some great insights and ideas.  But in the end, those who count are those who do something.

I pastor a local church that deals with a multitude of issues with the people we have and those we reach.  We have a culture we live in, a context we serve in and a future we move toward with the confidence that God will allow us to enjoy our work and fulfill our mission.

God is at work to bring history to its proper end with Christ as Lord and His saints serving Him forever.

I do not read many legal opinions but the profile of this one was interesting so I read it-all 136 pages.  In it the judge’s biases are clearly identified.  In his view the plaintiffs were clearly the experts on marriage parading a bevy of expert witnesses who gave sound, rational, scientific, and legal testimony while the defendants were dull traditional moralists and  fearful souls making irrational and illegal arguments in favor of their position.  The judge concluded that evidence showed those in California who voted for Proposition 8 were people whose moral and religious views formed a belief that led them to conclude that “same-sex marriages are different from opposite-sex marriages”. And, this does not provide a “rational basis” for supporting such a belief.

In other words if you have a moral or religious view about anything to do with this issue you are not rational and  rationality is the only basis for determining anything legal.  He also says that Californians that voted for this Proposition have a private prejudice that makes them feel superior to homosexuals who want to marry.  In the end he agreed with the Plaintiffs who contend that:

1.  Marriage and marriage laws have changed over time.

2. Marriage serves many and more purposes than procreation.

3.  Same-sex marriages will have little or no effect on opposite-sex marriages.

4. Banning same-sex marriages was done by a majority whose private, moral, and/or religious views punished an unpopular majority.

I suppose that his ruling has to put our nation on notice because in the U.S. code marriage and spouse are defined in all laws as: “…the word “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word “spouse” refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” (Title 1.7)

There are more issues related in this opinion but these seem to me to be the significant ones.  So with the Judge’s opinions in hand I have a few questions for the future regarding marriage.

1.  What is the meaning of “marriage” from now on.  If this ruling is upheld then marriage as an institution or even a word will change forever.  If same-sex marriage is to be based on “rationality” then is it safe to assume that one day a person will be free to marry his/her pet?  How about two men and three women?  How about a woman and her son or another close relative?  I don’t think I’m being moral or religious to wonder if marriage will have any meaning in the future thanks to a judge who thinks he is “rational.”

2.  If the definition of marriage changes or simply goes away then what about the words “husband”, “wife”, or “family.”  If those terms can mean anything then they eventually mean nothing.  They might become as significant as “uh” or “huh.”  I don’t think my questions are moral or religious but rational.

The Judge has determined by his own “rational” authority that marriage is in no way to be governed by moral or religious views so that means marriage is only what someone determines it is.  In the end it is a choice governed by the reasoning of those who seek it.  Those arguing for the repeal of the California law define marriage as simply a choice of a couple who make a commitment to remain with one another and join economically to support one another in material needs.  But “rationally” this seems to be only one view and may limit another persons right for equal protection and due process if they choose for example to marry their goat, their three best friends or their favorite aunt.

I hope higher courts see the bias of this judge’s ruling and the danger he has set in motion.  If he is upheld then a cornerstone of our nation will have eroded.  Children and women will find less protection and more abuse and neglect.  Public discussion of marriage will evaporate to a meaningless political/legal war of words.

I will admit that I do not know all the legal implications of this ruling nor have I given opinions on all that is in the judge’s document.  I have no desire to see anyone discriminated against or denied rights provided by our Constitution.  But some relationships do not qualify for marriage traditionally, morally, religiously, or rationally. The judge is wrong in this one.  If we are fortunate he will be reversed and our nation will be stronger for it.

The power of these commitments go beyond the ordinary however.  Some parents bring their children with the hope that they might have a good day, or that they might forget the pressures they face daily at home.  Some of the children are at risk of not having enough to eat or ever having much hope that their lives may improve.  But a Mom or Dad gets up and commits to bring a son or daughter with the hope that something will bring a change in fortune or future.

Some workers come each day with commitments that overcome their battles against cancer, old age, job loss, and many other private struggles and disappointments.  Most come, however, with a commitment to something beyond themselves as they give their time and energies to work with the children.

The children come with commitments to experience and learn despite many issues which they face daily.  Some have physical and mental challenges, yet they come.  Some have personal and family issues, yet they come.  Some are shy, some are energetic, some are reluctant and some are ready for anything; but they come.  They come the first day not quite sure of what is happening and leave the last day singing songs and doing body motions they have learned.

As I watched the children leave Friday with cowboy hats and VBS shirts  holding five day’s work in their small hands, I understood again the power of commitments.  Committed persons, large and small, young and old, strong and weak make a great difference for themselves and those they serve.  Commitment placed in the right things moves the world toward the places it should be changing lives for the better and leaving legacies to remember and follow.

What are your commitments?  What will they accomplish?  Who will benefit from them?  Commitments can overcome our heartaches, weaknesses and struggles and turn our lives into powerful forces of change and good.  Find something worth a commitment and pour you life into it; even if it’s for just one week at a time.

Gene Mims

It is not hard to lose dreams, speculations, and pursuits in the crush of ordinary living.  Most of us have to deal daily with questions, answers, and activities surrounding our money, family, health, work, and if we have time, dreams.  Living life at the pace we seem to be resigned to, it is easy to lose sight of the overall meaning of life.

The Questions

For centuries we have asked the same important questions about life and living, namely:

• Who am I?
• What is the meaning of my life?
• Where am I going?
• Does what I do really matter?

The answers we get to the above questions depend upon where we start.  If you start with the pieces of your life then you are bound to get more questions.  Focusing on money, family, health, work, and personal dreams can lead us to spend time and energy on things that are important but may have little impact on who we really are and our significance.

The Picture

In truth we are gifted with eternal not temporal qualities.  We are made in God’s image and given significance because we have living souls.  The pieces of life do not satisfy the soul’s appetites but the picture does.  The fact that we are eternal beings on our way to forever changes our understandings about the pieces of life.  We are free to live as stewards of this life and not bound to the narrow focus of selfishness.  Knowing that eternity is ours means that we can relax in this life when asking the “big” questions.  We can focus on the long road ahead and not the immediate sharp turns and detours that we often encounter.

The Gift

God has given us eternity and with it comes the joy of living in the good, enduring the bad, and benefiting for both as He directs us to and builds us for that which lasts forever.  This means that we are able to understand money, family, health, work, and dreams as temporary and limited, yet important in the long run of eternity.  Live today like you are going to live forever.  It will help you focus your life on the picture and not the pieces.

In any crisis the character of individuals is displayed and developed and our crisis is no different.  The acts of kindness and heroism displayed to and among the people of this area have been nothing short of astounding. We have had the best of leadership from our Governor, Mayor, Senators, Representatives and the people who work for them.  At no time did our leaders show fear or place blame as they went about their work to rescue and restore the people they serve.  We may have been ignored by national media and the President but the leaders who live here have led us in remarkable ways.

Each day I find more and more reasons for optimism knowing that all that can be done is being done from government, businesses, corporations, churches, synagogues and temples.  Most of all, however, I find strength from the selfless people who walk up and down destroyed areas offering helping hands, money, comfort, food and water.

I am pleased to be a resident in this city and pleased to live in a place where differences of opinion, faiths, philosophies and backgrounds have been easily set aside to help suffering people recover from their losses.

Gene Mims

On the surface this might seem like a believer’s dream-unlimited choices that one might choose from in order to find a perfect fit for himself or a couple or a family.  I have had serious conversations with folks that have recently come our way and what I find is just the opposite.

Choices, Options, and Needs

Many people tell us that the number of choices and options are almost too much to handle.  What they define as needs in their lives and for their families are almost never addressed by the churches that they visit.  In a recent month I noted from conversations from our newer members the following observations:

1.  Most people looking for a church to attend assume that worship services will be well done including good preaching and music.

2. Most people looking for a church to attend assume that child care and children’s ministry will be quality, safe, and the facilities will be clean.

3.  Most people looking for a church to attend assume that the congregation and especially the pastor is grounded in scripture.

Having said the above what has been most surprising are the following observations:

1.  Visitors are not greeted in most churches (no matter their size and reputation) and people are generally confused by this.

2. Many of our newer folks report to me that their children did not have a positive experience the churches they visited even when they visited multiple times.  It seems that many felt like their children were treated like additional burdens instead of welcome visitors.

3. The majority of churches made no contact with the individual or family following the visit.  No calls, visits, cards, or emails.

4.  The lack of biblical preaching was a major disappointment.  Many pastors read a text of scripture, put their Bible aside and never referred to it again.

5.  They could not determine what the church was doing in ministry, missions, evangelism or discipleship.  There were no printed materials or information available.

A Caution To Everyone

When I hear comments like these, I want to make sure my church never makes these mistakes.  I know we can all let people come and go without engaging them but we have to make the effort to greet them and engage them if they will allow us.  I am amazed at how much conversation goes on in church and denominational life fueled by the latest topics of interest to the latest experts.  We hear words like “missional” and “transformational” used in discussions about denominational renewal, church planting, and discipleship.  As interesting as such topics are, people who are lost, unchurched, between churches, are real persons who have real needs that real people can meet.  Our categorizing them notwithstanding, they are hurting, seeking, and hopeful individuals that we have great opportunities to help.

Instead of wondering about their categories and adding fresh words to our church lexicons ,what about a focus on a few basics?

The Basics

1. People like to be greeted.  Wow!  How about that for a change.  Greet folks by giving your name, asking theirs, showing genuine interest and excitement about their coming to your place.  Help them find answers to their questions and concerns.

2. Change whatever you have to in your ministry to reach out to persons and when they visit make sure they feel good about coming, especially when you minister to their children.

3. If someone visits you make sure you attempt to contact them as soon as possible.  Call them or email them but do something to let them know you were glad they showed some interest in your ministry.

4. Preach the Bible!  Do it your way but don’t give in to phony series that sound like something Dr. Phil came up with.  People actually expect to hear scripture preached when they visit churches.  They are not put off by it like many believe they are.  You can do it your way in any context you like but do it.

5. If you know what God is leading you to do then publish it to your folks and give it to your visitors.  They want to know what you stand for, what you are attempting and how you are going about it.

Finally

I think we make church harder on the front end than it has to be.  We live in a post-christian world that easily breeds a christian consumerism that is difficult to address.  No one denies the challenges of evangelism, discipleship and worship today.  But without a genuine interest in people and a clear purpose for our churches the tasks we have only prove more difficult.