June 11, 2001
TOGETHER: BGCT's 'related
ministries' provide presence of Christ
___In the new Baptist General Convention of Texas mission statement, the convention pledges not only to assist churches in being the presence of Christ in the world, but also to help "related ministries" be the same.
___What are related ministries? They include not only the 23 ministry institutions of the BGCT, but also 114 associations and the 78 of directors of missions who serve them. The Church Loan Corporation, Texas Baptist Financial Services, Baptist Standard, Baptist Foundation of Texas, Texas Baptist Leadership Center, Texas Baptist Laity Institute, Woman's Missionary Union, Texas Baptist Men, Victim Relief and Restorative Justice ministries, and 30 camps and retreat centers all are related ministries.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___The method by which these ministries relate to the BGCT varies from one entity to another. Some are accountable entirely to the BGCT. Others simply are supported to some degree by financial contributions. For some, the convention elects all or a percentage of the trustees. There are others over which the BGCT has no direct governance. All of the associations and camps, for example, are independent of the BGCT but participate freely in shared ministries and mission strategies.
___Some of the relationships are governed by mutual agreements, covenants or contracts. But for all the history of the BGCT, our greatest tie has been a fraternal trust and a shared vision of missions, education, evangelism and ministry to people in Christ's name.
___Texas Baptists have a long history of supporting child care, elder care, medical care and university education. No other Baptist convention supports through its money, prayers and people more institutions than does the BGCT. Texas Baptists have given much to them, and they have given back much more. These ministries have greatly advanced the cause of Christ and the cause of Texas Baptists.
___One of my great joys in being the BGCT executive director has been meeting the leaders of the institutions, associations and other ministries related to our convention. The presidents of the institutions are committed Baptist Christians. They all are bright, highly motivated, trustworthy and passionate about helping their institutions achieve their full potential. Many leaders of our associations--directors of missions--are fully supportive of the BGCT and committed to helping churches in their associations be healthy and on mission for Christ.
___Baptists never have been served better than we are now by the leaders of related ministries. They want their lives and work to make a difference for Christ, for the churches and for people. As we have talked about how their institutions and programs can help people know Christ and grow in him, I sense a deep excitement that they can help their institutions and organizations be the presence of Christ in the world.
___They want to do that by helping their employees and services reflect the calling of Christ to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). They want to help local churches more effectively permeate their communities with the gospel. In so far as they are able, they want people to sense they have been in the presence of Jesus when they have been ministered to by their people.
___The related ministries want to be the presence of Christ in the world. The BGCT will help so that all together across Texas and the world, we can get our arms around people and hug them up close to God.
___We are loved.
___
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