January 26, 2000
EDITORIAL:
Pinson passes mantle to Wade
___"If I had a mantle, I would lay it on you," Bill Pinson told Charles Wade one night last week.
___Pinson spoke at a banquet honoring him for 17 years as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He retires Jan. 31; Wade succeeds him Feb. 1.
___Pinson's words symbolize a transition in Texas Baptist history.
___The Pinson era (1983-2000) was shaped by tremendous challenge. It will be characterized by unprecedented progress.
___During Pinson's early years, Texas endured severe economic recession. Throughout the period, the specter of controversy that engulfed and changed the Southern Baptist Convention hung ominously. And during the later years, the BGCT splintered, with a small group for whom the state convention is not sufficiently loyal to the SBC forming a competing convention. Countless other challenges arose, but these dominated.
___Still, God blessed as Pinson guided. Texas Baptist churches have baptized more than 1 million new Christians during the era. We have expanded to about 6,000 congregations with 2.7 million members. We have strengthened benevolence and educational institutions and expanded the involvement and influence of Hispanic and African-American Texas Baptists.
___Of course, Bill Pinson does not take credit for all this and other progress. He focuses the spotlight on God's blessing, which has been abundant. Then he credits Texas Baptists--people in the pews, pastors and church staffs, churches and associations, agencies and institutions, and thousands who have committed their talents, resources, vision and commitment to all of God's kingdom work undertaken by the BGCT.
___This is true, but the fact remains: Bill Pinson has been Texas Baptists' leader during an era of unprecedented progress. He has led well by maintaining a vision big and bold enough for all Texas Baptists: "To the glory of God, share Jesus with every person in Texas ...; be a family of loving, joyful, obedient servants of Jesus Christ; seek fresh, new direction and power from the Holy Spirit through Scripture and prayer; and develop Great Commission churches for all persons."
___Pinson's statesmanly refusal to waver has provided a Texas Baptist positioning system by which we have fixed our purpose, values and priorities and charted our progress. He will be remembered for strengthening the Texas mission base, laboring in the Texas mission field and leading Texas Baptists to follow Christ's Great Commandment as they fulfilled the Great Commission.
___And now Pinson passes the mantle of leadership to Wade, a proven leader in his own right. Many Texas Baptists wonder what type of leader Wade will be. Observe First Baptist Church in Arlington, which he led as pastor for 23 years. It is one of our strongest churches. It embodies consecration to Christ, commitment to sharing the gospel message with all people, compassion for lost and needy souls, and creativity in fulfilling its mission and ministries.
___Expect Wade to guide Texas Baptists with similar fervor. Expect continuity of faith. Expect passion for leading people to Christ and meeting the needs of their hearts and lives. Expect innovation in growing and strengthening churches. Expect creative engagement with culture.
___At the dawn of this new era, we cannot comprehend what change the next decade will bring. Even if denominational controversy were not a factor, Wade and Texas Baptists would be facing seismic changes that will shake our convention and its churches--socially, culturally, demographically, technically, politically.
___Just as Pinson's vision for Texas Baptists shaped the past 18 years, Wade's will define the next decade. But the success of Wade's administration rests upon two dominant factors that impacted Pinson's--God's graciousness and Texas Baptists' faithfulness.
___At this moment in our history, Texas Baptists need to give Wade a chance to help us succeed. Some among us are claiming the sky is falling based upon shadows on the ground. They spin scenarios based upon their perceptions of Wade. Instead, they should be praying for him and seeking how they can help. If the BGCT performs anywhere near as well as First Baptist Church in Arlington has ministered under his leadership, our brightest years are just ahead.
___Today, thank God for Bill and Bobbie Pinson. And ask God's blessings upon Charles and Rosemary Wade--and all Texas Baptists.
___ --Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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