Wade pledges openness to change, calls Texans to cooperate_111703

Posted: 11/14/03

Wade pledges openness to change, calls Texans to cooperate

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board staff is willing to meet changing needs of churches, Executive Director Charles Wade said in his report to the BGCT annual session Nov. 10.

"Nothing we do has to continue to be done just because it is what we have always done," he said. "We should ask questions about how what we do relates to our priorities and our passion."

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade called Texas Baptists to cooperate in missions and ministry to reach a needy state and world with the gospel.

He added: “Our staff is committed not to promote their own programs or pet projects, but to listen to you and your church so that together you can find the best resources that are available to help you achieve your vision, advance the kingdom and be the presence of Christ in the world.”

However, Wade refuted the notion that all denominational ties have become obsolete, like a bridge that leads nowhere.

“All around us are signs that God's people and local churches want to do missions and develop strategies in fresh ways,” Wade reported.

The work of the BGCT is to “help awaken and stimulate our Texas Baptist people and churches so they can become faithful participants in God's kingdom work,” Wade said.

Through cooperative missions, Texas Baptists multiply their resources just like the mustard seed spoken of by Jesus that blossoms into one of the largest of plants.

And advancing Christ's kingdom should be the measure of where cooperative resources are expended, he suggested. “Nothing we are doing has to continue being done if it does not help us advance all the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.”

Starting churches remains a passion for Texas Baptists, Wade reported, noting a net gain of 1,920 congregations in the last decade.

“We must continue with an aggressive program of church multiplication. Why? The latest estimate is that Texas will add 1.7 million more people to our population total in the next five years.”

Wade also commended the launch of the BGCT's new missions network, WorldconneX, calling it “a new way to build a bridge that helps us go into all the world.”

He listed three priorities that “need to happen in Texas” if the BGCT will help churches advance the kingdom of God:

To provide students and support for the Texas Baptist universities and seminaries. “The future of our missions and ministry vision as Texas Baptists is in the hearts of our young people. … Our churches 10, 20 years from now will be no stronger than the quality of theological education and leadership development we provide now for our young men and women whom God is calling to service.”

To continue developing Bible study curriculum options “What happens in our Sunday Schools will have far greater impact on how ordinary Baptist people understand their calling, their responsibility, their opportunity and their resources than any other single thing that happens in most of our Baptist churches,” he explained.

To support the BGCT Adopted Budget.