Chapter 6
Denominational Partners

Relationships among agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as those among the SBC, the state Baptist conventions and other entities, were characterized in the past by clearly delineated and mutually exclusive programs. Each had its specific ministry assignment, and no other denominational entity was to infringe on another’s responsibility. That is changing, however, as today each is committed to contributing whatever possible to the success and effectiveness of others. Nowhere is that more evident than with international missions. Every other agency is available and interested in supporting our effort to reach the whole world. They are able to provide expertise and specialized resources that are assets to our strategies and that avoid duplication. WOMAN’S MISSIONARY UNION continues to be a valued partner in mission education and promotion of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. However, beyond these traditional roles, WMU also is promoting prayer partnerships, people-group focuses and, through WMU’s “Volunteer Connection,” helping enlist volunteers. The ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION has responsibility for promoting the World Hunger Offering, and we have seen a radical increase in receipts. The ERLC also is representing Southern Baptists as a voice against persecution of Christians overseas and other violations of religious liberty. It is an advocate with our own government and those in other countries on behalf of the IMB and our Baptist partners, thereby allowing us to keep a low profile rather than jeopardizing our presence and witness through speaking out. The new SBC structure has put in place an Inter-Mission Council to enable the two mission boards to work together to more effectively fulfill respective ministry assignments. This partnership with the NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD has created a synergy of promotional efforts in missions education and stimulating churches and individuals to be “on mission.” It also has opened doors of cooperation through continuing involvement in Canada, consultation on church-planting strategies, reaching internationals in the United States, working with Southern Baptist ethnics and utilizing media in common evangelism and church-growth strategies. A strong partnership has emerged with LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES (formerly The Sunday School Board) in providing resources and materials for evangelism and discipleship overseas as well as incorporating missions features into Sunday School literature and discipleship and leadership magazines. LifeWay even is supporting ISC mission personnel in assignments in several regions and is interested in expanding this service and involvement in the future. All six Southern Baptist SEMINARIES are deeply committed to partnership and support of the IMB, working together and individually to contribute uniquely to our effectiveness. Several have sought consultation in designing their missions curriculum so it would be relevant to IMB strategies. Some have matched the Mobilization Assistance grant from the IMB with a goal that every student would go overseas on a volunteer mission trip during their course of studies. A consortium has been formed so that students from all seminaries can participate in the M.Div. with Church Planting degree, which includes two years overseas with the ISC program. Fifty students from Southeastern alone finished their two years on campus and were deployed in church-planting apprentice assignments in 1999. Global Missions Week on each campus has reflected the priority that is now being given to missions. State Partnerships
One of the more successful mobilization efforts has been state volunteer partnerships in which enlistment and orientation is multiplied through local partnership coordinators. While some of these partnerships have tended to bypass the mission and its strategies, we have learned from these experiences and are able to carve out a synergistic relationship in which each entity has a sense of responsibility and accountability. Many states are expanding their partnership office staffs and are maintaining multiple partnerships. More and more associations are entering into overseas partnerships with cities or people groups, and they can be more effective in mobilizing their churches since they are dealing with fewer numbers in a specific area. IMB staff liaisons with Southern Baptist ethnic fellowships and African-American churches are increasing their missions awareness and responsiveness to be involved. Computer technology will enable us to track these partnerships, identify churches and other entities involved and provide continuing nurture to the individuals, gatekeepers and mission champions driving and coordinating the effort. Building a database will allow us to service churches and organizations in a more personalized way, keep track of individuals who are being nurtured toward missionary service, and coordinate alliances with people-group strategies and mission teams all over the world. It is important for all of us to see all of these as enlarged resources which God has provided to us through our denomination rather than as impositions on our own agenda and plans. More and more the strategic issue is not the readiness and availability of these partners and resources but whether or not IMB staff and missionaries are prepared to channel them into effective opportunities overseas. It is not a matter of whether or not we want to accommodate them into our mission strategies. They are coming, and they can readily find other outlets for service which contravene the International Mission Board. We can be marginalized in the future, or we can have a lead role in how they are utilized by diversifying strategies and recognizing the larger “kingdom resources” available as an asset to what God has called us to do.

<previous | next page>