5 Current Impacts of GCR on SBC Network Partners

Churches, Associations and State Partners

The 2010 SBC Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) intentionally brought radical shifts in NAMB’s leadership, strategy, and priorities in funding and staff.  Are Southern Baptists better off and stronger, or worse off and weaker?  What are the measurable results and the impact on the self-regenerating missions funding and sending system?  What is happening at the local level in […]

SBC Embarks on New Era of Intentional Evangelism? – Part 1

Johnny Hunt and Emerging Opportunities

Yesterday’s announcement of a new Senior Vice President of Evangelism and Leadership stirred enthusiasm for many inside the SBC.  Beyond the affirmations of a beloved pastor and gifted preacher in Johnny Hunt, cautious hope abounds that Southern Baptists may be making efforts to regain their zeal and historic commitment to intentional evangelism in both established […]

Church Reflections and Refocusing Forward

Forward Church Growth: Strategic Systems & Fresh Approaches

  The turning of a new year brought celebrations, resolutions, and new health club memberships!  On a more serious note, for many people and organizations, including churches and their leaders, it was a time for reflection, and then a refocus toward the future.  The turning of a new year provides churches the opportunity to reflect […]

Rewiring the American Church

Wisely Facing Current Challenges and Opportunities

The American church is in major decline and it will take some major rewiring and rebuilding, not just tinkering to bring necessary change. It will take courageous leaders who intentionally set a new course and work with others who are on a different course as well. On Oct. 6, those who are engaged in exploring […]

Is the New NAMB Really Working? – Summary

The Evidence is Before You...

At the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis, Kevin Ezell, the President of the North American Mission Board spoke to SBC Messengers.  He asked the question:  “Is the New NAMB Working?  Dr. Ezell answered the question with anecdotes, stories about good things happening in the lives of individuals and families who were connecting with […]

Is the New NAMB Really Working? Part 6 President’s Character & Leadership

Separating Spin from Facts

A sacred trust exists between the President of NAMB and Southern Baptists. One man is entrusted with enormous power, prestige, and resources to shape individual lives and direct the mission of the SBC in North America. Southern Baptists sacrificially invest themselves and their resources, for the sake of an eternal purpose, to the tune of […]

Is the New NAMB Really Working? Part 3: Church Planting (Abridged Version)

Separating Spin from Facts

When it comes to Southern Baptist church planting, strategic matters cannot be addressed in soundbites or 140-character Tweets. One must first gain a wider and deeper understanding of the issues. I began my exploration in a PhD seminar on the History of SBC Evangelism in 1989 at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I had the privilege of […]

Is the New NAMB Really Working? Part 3: Church Planting

Separating Spin from Facts - FULL VERSION OF ARTICLE

Some things cannot be addressed in a soundbite or 140 character Twitter post.  The matters facing Southern Baptists churches and the increasing challenges we face demand a more thorough analysis as we evaluate our current course as Southern Baptists.  One must understand wider and more deeply before seeking to evaluate or adjust strategy for an […]

Is the New NAMB Really Working? Part 2 – Baptisms (Abridged Version)

Separating Spin from Facts in the Reporting of SBC Baptism Results

At the 2016 SBC Annual Meeting, when Dr. Kevin Ezell presented a report from the North American Mission Board entitled It’s Working, he was referring to the implementation of NAMB’s new strategy over the past six years. However, his version of the storyline does not match the facts.  Is It Working? The answer to this […]

Is the New NAMB Really Working? Part 2 – Baptisms (Full Version)

Separating Spin from Facts in the Reporting of SBC Baptism Results

At the 2016 SBC Annual Meeting, when Dr. Kevin Ezell presented a report from the North American Mission Board entitled It’s Working, he was referring to the implementation of NAMB’s new strategy over the past six years. However, his version of the storyline does not match the facts. Is It Working? The answer to this […]