October 13, 1999
GRACE& PEACE:
Growth of the Texas Baptist
family related to the BGCT
___"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:15-16)
___Recently our youngest grandson, Zachary, had his first birthday. Of course, our family enjoyed a major celebration. But we also evaluated his progress. It was excellent.
___Such an evaluation is helpful for anybody, including the Texas Baptist family. An evaluation reveals the blessings of God in our growth and development.
___Compared to development in the past, the body of Texas Baptists related to the Baptist General Convention of Texas shows gains in the statistical areas by which growth of churches is measured: baptisms, members, churches, Sunday School attendance and enrollment, discipleship enrollment and participation, people in missions projects, music ministry enrollment, Woman's Missionary Union enrollment, Texas Baptist Men enrollment, people in mission action groups and missions expenditures, including Cooperative Program giving.
WILLIAM M. PINSON JR.
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___Institutions related to the BGCT also report growth, such as enrollments in Baptist schools and people cared for by human welfare institutions.
___Compared to the national family of Southern Baptists, the body of Texas Southern Baptists related to the BGCT also shows growth. In fact, according to the official Southern Baptist statistics, declines were registered nationwide last year in number of churches, total membership and baptisms, while in each of these areas churches related to the BGCT reported increases.
___Furthermore, in certain areas where the SBC reported small gains nationwide, those gains would have been loses had it not been for increases in those areas by BGCT-related churches, such as in Sunday School enrollment and Brotherhood enrollment and participation.
___The churches and institutions related to the BGCT are showing growth and evidence of the blessings of God. These gains are the result of cooperation, as each member of the body contributes to the growth of the whole. The Texas 2000 strategy is not a state convention process but rather an encouragement for churches, associations of churches and institutions to focus on cooperative efforts to make and mature disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ and minister to people in his name. Such growth should humble us, for it comes only by the power and grace of God.
___How is our growth in relation to the challenges of the mission field in which we live? Even though the BGCT and related entities are growing, the rapid growth of the Texas population both in numbers and complexity still is exceeding our efforts in Christ's name to reach Texas. God has provided the resources for Texas Baptists, and his blessing of growth is not for our own benefit but in order that with the power and direction of the Holy Spirit we might benefit a lost state, nation and world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Thus our challenge is great, and our growth needs to accelerate if we are to meet the challenge.
___Please pray in gratitude for the blessings of God. Pray also prayers of repentance and supplication for a great spiritual revival among us.
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