October 20, 1999

GRACE & PEACE:
Task force to encourage
Texas Baptist church health
___"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)
___From the beginning of the mission to take the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost world, churches have played a central role. In evangelism and ministry as well as in discipleship and fellowship, nothing was more important organizationally in the New Testament than churches. That is still true.
___The New Testament record reveals many churches were unhealthy and as a result not as effective as they should have been. The Revelation and the letters of the Apostle Paul are filled with examples of unhealthy churches and of admonitions for church health.
___Clearly, the Lord Jesus Christ wants his churches to be healthy and effective, related to him in love, adoration and worship, and related to a lost world in witness, compassion and

WILLIAM M. PINSON JR. Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

ministry. He cares enough about his churches to evaluate them, and when they fall short to criticize them in constructive ways and to encourage them.
___Following the example of Jesus, we too should be concerned about the health and effectiveness of churches. The Baptist General Convention of Texas provides numerous resources and ministries to assist churches. In fact, the purpose statement of the BGCT focuses on developing healthy churches to fulfill the mission Jesus gave to us: "The Baptist General Convention of Texas exists to encourage and assist churches, associations of churches, institutions and other Baptist entities in fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ."
___Although the BGCT has demonstrated concern for the health of churches, there is need to take this concern to a higher level and to provide even more intentionality toward the health of churches. To that end the Task Force on Church Health has been appointed and is hard at work.
___The Task Force on Church Health desires to set forth the Bible's teaching about what constitutes a healthy church. For us Texas Baptists, the Bible is the benchmark for what we do. In addition, the Task Force on Church Health is seeking input from Texas Baptists on how we can together help Baptist churches in Texas be healthier and more effective in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Surveys are being conducted, and various groups of Baptists are being interviewed. The Executive Board staff of the BGCT has spent days praying and pondering the issue of church health.
___The cooperation of various Baptist entities in Texas in this effort has been inspirational. Any suggestions you have on improving the health of churches will be appreciated and can be sent to: Task Force on Church Health, Baptist Building, 333 North Washington, Dallas 75246-1798.
___The Task Force on Church Health will bring a report within the next few months on its work. Part of the report likely will be recommendations on what we as a Baptist family in Texas need to do in order to improve the health and effectiveness of churches.
___Please pray for the members of the Task Force on Church Health. Pray also for those who will be responsible for implementing the recommendations of the task force. And pray that churches will be more and more healthy and effective in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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