FROM THE PRESIDENT I
Column by Richard Harris
Radical About Fulfilling The Great Commission
am greatly encouraged by the renewed discussion of the Great Commission this past year among Southern Baptists. I have long felt we were settling into a “peace-time” mentality rather than a “siege” mentality. With a peace-time mentality, we often debate, dialogue, criticize and hold endless discussions about what ought to be done rather than saturating and penetrating our communities with the gospel. With a siege men- tality, we stop talking about the Great Commission and start doing what the Lord commanded us to do. We use our influence and resources to intentionally, passionately mobilize our people to engage the unreached and under-reached people in our communities.
During wartime we need a siege mentality. All strategies, energies, funds and personnel are prioritized and focused on accomplishing the mission, defeating the enemy and accomplishing the orders of our commander. For Southern Baptists, our commander is the Lord Jesus Christ. His mission and orders are clear: go teach…bap- tize…and make disciples of all nations (all people groups). This is only accomplished by taking the gospel to those without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We stop dialoguing about their needs and become radical about our commitment to reach anyone and everyone!
As pastors, church leaders and church members become radically committed to reaching their communities, we will re-evaluate and prioritize how we spend our time, talent and treasure. No sacrifice will be too great, no obstacle too large and no opportunity overlooked. We will become passionate, committed, intentional and radical about accomplishing the mission of the Great Commission. We are radical because it is a command, not a suggestion.
Hundreds of Southern Baptist churches participated in God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS: Find It Here) evan- gelism activities this year. Through their involvement in praying, equipping, sowing and harvesting activities, thousands of individuals received the gospel and scores came to faith in Christ. Many churches were radical in getting a GPS packet, message and/or invitation to most people in their community. When they got back to engaging people, most were pleasantly surprised at how receptive people were to their expressions of Christian love and witness.
Pastors want their people more involved in prayer and the study of God’s word. I often say to pastors, “If you will get your people radically engaged in taking the gospel to everyone in your community, members will be driven to their knees and drawn deep into the word as they see and feel the needs of humanity. They realize they cannot meet the enormity of needs apart from prayer, or answer complex questions and issues that people are dealing with apart from the precepts and principles of God’s word!” The North American Mission Board is taking a radical look as we attempt to become more effective and efficient in leading Southern Baptists in reaching North America. We have a radical commitment about maintaining a war-time, seize mentality as we step into the future and implement the recommendations of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force, which were affirmed at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando.
Is there anything radical about your church engaging your community and fulfilling the Great Commis- sion? If so, God bless you. If not, today would be a great time to make a radical commitment about fulfilling the Great Commission!
Richard Harris Interim President
48 Fall 2010 •
onmission.com
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