Associations—To Be or Not To Be? Written by Larry Vowell
The Great Commission Resurgence has prompted a lot of discussion about the future of Southern Baptists. Several times during these last few months, I have been involved in conversations about the association and its future. I, personally, think that the association will play a vital part in the plan for Southern Baptists in the future.
Some things I have observed that relate to our future:
1.The lostness of our country —yes, there are billions of lost people around the world who need to be reached, but there are millions right under the shadow of our steeples who are lost. It is estimated that seven out of ten people who live in the United States are lost and unchurched. I know that is true in our association, and I am pretty sure it would be true in yours. We must be starting new churches in order to “keep up” with the population changes that are happening all over the USA. Church planting is one of the main things associations do, and if we do not lead out in it, who will?
2.80% of our churches are plateaued or declining—transforming churches has been a hot topic over the last year or so. Books are being written about it and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of helping churches transform to become growing and productive again. Who, in all of our convention, knows better the churches that need help than the association? We must be on the front line in the future to help churches get back in the game of reaching people for Christ and the church.
3.The mission field has come to us—my own neighborhood reflects this fact. On my block live Anglos, Hispanics, African Americans, Koreans, Chinese and Asians. In our county we have over ninety language groups. Associations must help Christians become aware of the growing numbers of ethnics who are moving into our cities and make attempts to develop ministries and churches to minister to them. The association, through demographics available to us, must lead out in the education and the ministries developed for these people.
4.Most people trust associations—in a time when the younger generations are very distrusting of national and state conventions and other entities that have developed through the years, if they really know us, they still trust the association. Even if they do not participate in every meeting we offer, they know what we are about and that we are there to help them when they need a helping hand. They know that we want the best for them and are willing to listen, counsel, train, mentor and coach them as they give us opportunity to do so. Where else can they go for this support?
Are associations to be or not to be?
My opinion is that they are to be and will be the best local support you will find in your quest to become a Great Commission church. In many cases they can be found just around the corner and can be available to you almost immediately. I encourage you to partner with them and find out how they might help you in your attempt to reach people for Jesus Christ. They may become your best friends!
Larry Vowell, Leader BACE Local Associations Affinity Group Director of Church Strengthening Collin Baptist Association, McKinney, TX
