TOGETHER:
Biblical principles guide Executive Board staff's work
___Speaking to the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board staff last week, I read from the eighth chapter of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to be generous in the offering they had promised to give to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem.
___I had been searching for insights that would instruct us in helping churches work
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CHARLES WADE
Executive Director,
BGCT Executive Board
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together to accomplish kingdom goals. And as I studied the passage, I discovered a pattern that shapes our efforts in working with Texas Baptist churches:
___ The Inspiration Principle. Paul inspires the church by telling the thrilling story of another church's experience. "We want you to know about the ... Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity" (vv. 1-2). Churches learn from one another. We need to tell inspiring stories.
___ The Generosity Principle. Paul calls the church to give generously, to do the really big thing. Noting that the Macedonian churches "gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability," he challenged the Corinthian church to "excel in this grace of giving" (vv. 3, 7). Leadership among churches includes helping congregations see the needs beyond their local communities and calling them to a bigger vision.
___ The Shared Leadership Principle. Paul delegates responsibility to Titus and encourages the church to respond to him (v. 6). Nothing really important can be done alone. We all need friends and associates, partners in ministry.
___ The Encouragement Principle. Paul draws back from the language of demand, mandate and requirement. He urges the church to step up to the level of other's devotion. "I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others" (v. 8). This is difficult to do without being manipulative and competitive. But it is a reality check. Paul is saying only what is true. Actions do speak louder than words.
___ The Jesus Principle. Paul lifts up Jesus Christ as the great standard for a church's devotion and service (v. 9). Everything we do in church needs to be compared to the mind and spirit of Jesus Christ. When we know where Jesus would go in our community, what he would say, what he would do, then we know what the agenda for our church needs to be.
___ The Clear Expectation Principle. Paul gives advice and a recommendation (vv. 10-12). Notice that he waits awhile before giving advice. When he does, he assures the church that what they can do is more important than what they cannot do (v. 12). All of us want to know what is expected. Leaders cannot lead if they don't know what to expect or if they are not clear in what they expect.
___ The Cooperation Principle. Paul believes that everyone has something to give that will help make a difference. "At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need" (v. 14). We are all in this together. We can do together what we cannot do alone.
___These are the principles those of us who serve you and the churches of Texas will keep firmly in mind. Pray for us.
___We are loved.
___
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