If your association ceased to exist how long would it take for area churches and members to notice you were gone?
There is great debate in some circles as to the real value of the local association. Can it survive? Some say “yes” while others have cast doom on the association's future. Are you aware that well known futurist have forecast that a multi-level denominational structure like the Southern Baptist Convention cannot survive in today's post-denominational environment? Most have said that either the association or the state convention must be eliminated from the SBC denominational structure. (For supporting articles, click HERE and HERE and HERE.)
Because of the funding structure in most new work (mission) areas, the state conventions have the ability to "fund" or "not fund" local associational missionaries. Several states are now moving to "phase out" associational directors and are proposing to replace them in some fashion with state convention representatives. Will the churches in those areas notice the difference?
What do churches in your area value about the local association and its ministry?
Will associations be the ones to suffer demise? OR will state conventions fall by the wayside? OR are futurists totally off base ... not seeing the value of the SBC maintaining both levels within its structure.
I CLOSE BY REPEATING: “If your association ceased to exist how long would it take for area churches and members to notice you were gone?”
Bobby Gilstrap, DoM
Huron & Southeastern Associations
Michigan
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3 comments:
In era of change it will be up to the state conventions and or the local associations as to whether they live or die. Those state conventions like Arizona who can restructure themselves to be Kingdom minded, flexible, and quickly responsive to the local churches will survive. Like wise the association. Our association has developed a partnership with North Dakota, we are in the process of working with a mission church in Columbia Mo and starting a new work on the University of Mo. campus while we work internally to stregthen our weaker member churches by having our stronger churches partner with their weaker brother. All without little or no help from the state convention. I have brainstormed with IMB and NAMB about possibilites. One of our new work churches went directly to NAMB (which caused a stir when the state convention folks found out, said they could not do that, (who says). Enough rambling. It is up to the state conventions and associations. I think you will see some of both.
Good post. I really think it will be up to the churches which entities survive. But a more important question is, "will the churches survive and thrive?" And the follow up question, "would the demise of associations help the churches?" And the answer in most places? Probably not. It is the transformation and reformation of the association, not the destruction of it, that will significantly help out churches. Let's make our associations relevant and of value to our churches by helping them in their mission: to reach their area and the world with the gospel and to make disciples. If we are relevant, they will (and should) keep us around; if not, they won't (and should not).
By the way, the same thing is true of the churches! May all those organizations that do not do the work of Christ be shuttered and closed. And may all those prosper who faithfully and diligently equip the saints to spread the fame of God.
GCBA:
Great illustration. It would seem that in today’s post-denominational era the keywords ARE “resourcing with a rapid response.” It appears that it cannot be about control, but about supporting / resourcing the work of the local church. We use the term partnership, when it often appears to be more about control. Even the agreements that are drawn up in many cases require “hands-on” involvement of the entity if the entity is going to provide financial resources. It would be great if the whole world operated just as I wanted it to, but let’s be realistic … that’s not going to happen, nor would it really be the best thing. As an associational leader, I need to lead our association to let go of resources and let God’s people in the local church use those resources to His glory. We don't need to have our fingers in it.
Roger:
I would fully concur … the churches will ultimately determine the life span of both associations and conventions. Many of our more than 44,000 SBC churches have ceased to do much more than send a check for mission support. They do that out of obligation, having lost sight of the value of the association or convention.
I would ask again … "If your association ceased to exist how long would it take for area churches and members to notice you were gone?"
In other words, do they still see value in your work and ministry? Personally, as a DoM, I stay on the hunt looking for opportunities that I can assist our congregations, even in the smallest ways. Some notice it … some don’t.
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