In my last post I promised some thoughts on commitments I believe we should all embrace as partners within GTBN. This COVID 19 thing has been unlike anything I’ve experienced in ministry. For one and a half months advice has come through government and ministry sources on what we should do and how we should do it. And, of course, the rules change as quickly as the TV channels do when grandpa has the remote. This whirlwind of information is complicated when you live and work in a Baptist context, a people known for having more opinions than we have people to hold them.
Within the GTBN family there is much that we share, the nature of the gospel, the inerrancy of scripture, and our missional mandate for example. But our congregations, and those who lead them, are quite diverse. And sometimes we express that diversity in passionate dialogue.
But given who binds us together, none other than the Lord Himself, I respect the diversity. In fact, I believe GTBN is stronger through it. That said, how we stand together during those times when our diversity shows most is important.
And our diversity is about to show. As we look to rebound from the COVID 19 shutdown, some GTBN congregations are resuming public worship this weekend, some Mothers’ Day, others May 17, with some still planning to wait until June. Many continue delaying children’s ministries and other events, while others work as fast as possible to pick up where they left off.
There are plenty of resources from me and others addressing when and how we relaunch. My purpose here is not redundancy. I do think it important to suggest some commitments that we should all keep as we move forward.
First, I believe we should commit to an attitude of grace toward one another. This applies far beyond this issue, but is certainly necessary now. Some congregations are in a situation to fulfill all the responsibilities coincidental to a launch this weekend. Others may require longer. Some have great peace about launching now, while others are more reserved and will wait longer. But we each have our own responsibilities from the Lord. So, convinced that we are all tending appropriately to our responsibilities, we should continue to love and encourage one another with grace regardless of the choices on this point each church makes. Costi Hinn has a great post on this which Dustin Guidry shared with me today. It’s worth reading.
Second, and closely related, we should adopt an attitude of stewardship regarding our ministries. God has entrusted each of us with leadership for certain aspects of ministry, you particularly for the congregations you serve. Part of this stewardship you exercise in the care you give to safeguard God’s people, especially the most vulnerable in your congregation.
There’s also stewardship over your witness to the community. Believe me, when I read the protocols for places of worship and then visit Walmart, I wonder what difference the details make. “Walmart doesn’t sanitize the restroom after each use. Why should we?” But our goal should never be simply to match Walmart. Let’s agree to do what’s necessary, exercising good stewardship for the church and our witness.
Another aspect to stewardship is the focus due to the particular ministry you serve. In other words, don’t worry about what the other guy does. Just as God hasn’t called you to match the programs of the neighboring church, he hasn’t called you match their launch schedule. I want to hear what you’re doing for relaunch, when you are doing it, and how you are doing it, so I can pass that along and we can encourage one another. But if your team has prayed and processed through this, and you have come up with a schedule and plan that works for you, only to hear of another church doing something different, don’t think you have to start over. Can I just say it? WE’RE NOT IN COMPETITION!
Which brings me to the final commitment I encourage you to embrace, a spirit of camaraderie towards one another. This goes beyond grace. It is the understanding that we are on the same team, working toward the same goals, with our mutual mission in mind. The whole point behind the Golden Triangle Baptist Network is that we stand together in the gospel. Regardless of which path toward resumption of worship you take, we’re better together, stronger together. But this remains only an aspirational goal, merely a hashtag, until as leaders we act on it.
While each congregation has its own witness, I believe that witness is enhanced through the love and cooperation we share. So, as you unpack the relaunch plan for your church, know that you are not alone. Your partners are with you, even if we’re a week or two behind.
Blessings!
Jim