All emphasis my own:
I. Rationale for New Directions
A. God is accelerating the redemption of all the lost peoples of the world. We are in the midst of the greatest mission opportunity in history. We must make whatever changes necessary to keep pace with what God is doing to complete the unfinished task.
B. At this unprecedented moment in Christian history, our missionary advance does not seem to be keeping pace with the opportunities or with what God is doing through others.
C. Our organization and culture must be flexible, responsive, change-oriented and innovative to meet the challenge of continuous rapid change.
D. To facilitate the ownership and responsibility of each missionary to maximize his or her potential and to fulfill his or her God given call.
E. To provide administration and leadership that will function efficiently, eliminate overlap and create synergistic effectiveness.
II. Recommendations to Trustees
As we consider afresh our vision to lead Southern Baptists to be on mission with God and to bring all the peoples of the world to saving faith in Jesus Christ, we recommend the following:
A. That the International Mission Board reconfigure its work into 14 geographic regions overseas (as attached). By balancing the number of personnel, each region will be positioned for growth and kingdom impact. Regions will utilize the unreached people group methodology with CSI type components as appropriate.
B. That new leadership profiles and job descriptions (as attached) be adopted for all new regional leadership positions. The Regional Leader will give primary focus to strategic leadership; administrative tasks will be handled by the Field Administrative Associate; and the Field Strategy Associate will lead in strategy planning and implementation. All of these positions will be with missionary status.
C. That a new position be created in the Office of Overseas Operations for an Associate Vice President for Strategy Coordination and Mobilization as defined by the attached job description.
D. That Regional Leaders will lead missions/field units to focus on bringing all peoples of the world to saving faith in Jesus Christ; to be reflected in the way they work; the way they are organized and the way they are accountable.
E. That current area leadership which includes Area Directors, Associate Area Directors and Field Associate Area Directors continue to function in their present assignment until the new organization is put in place. We anticipate organizational changes to begin July 1, 1997.
F. That the trustee's Overseas Organization and Administration Task Force serve as the search committee for election of the Regional Leaders and interview prospective candidates for Associate Regional Leaders, Field Administrative Associates, and Field Strategy Associates.
G. That the trustee's Overseas Organization and Administration Task Force study and make future recommendations for structuring trustee organization.
SUMMARY OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS
REGIONAL LEADER
1. Leads Regional Leadership Team in strategic planning.(planning, organizing implementing, evaluating, and celebrating)
2. Leads regional personnel to embrace the shared vision to bring all peoples of the world to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Participates in the formulation, evaluation and prioritization of global directions.
4. Communicates International Mission Board direction to the field and field strategies and concerns to the International Mission Board staff and trustees.
5. Mobilizes prayer, personnel and appropriate funding to accelerate the planting and development of indigenous churches through evangelism, discipleship and leadership training. Networks with Baptist Partners and Great Commission Christian entities to fulfill kingdom objectives.
6. Selects, develops, and trains Regional Leadership Team members, regional support staff, mission and field unit leaders. Coordinates the supervision of regional support staff.
7. Gives final approval for budget allocation and deployment of personnel.
8. Provides encouragement and inspiration to field personnel and ministers to them in times of crisis.
FIELD ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE
1. Manages operation of overseas regional office.
2. Provides information and support to the Regional Leadership Team and channels communication to the International Mission Board.
3. Is responsible for regional financial administration.
4. Interprets policies, procedures and authorizes exceptions to policy when appropriate.
5. Processes all personnel requests as approved by the Field Strategy
Associate.
6. Works directly with mission/field units to provide support for field personnel.
7. Provides reports requested by the International Mission Board.
8. Represents the Regional Leader when requested.
FIELD STRATEGY ASSOCIATE
1. Leads mission/field units in strategic planning, monitors implementation and evaluation.
2. Implements and maintains an accountability process in the region.
3. Plans and directs regional conferences.
4. Participates in mission/field unit meetings as appropriate.
5. Provides training for field personnel and Baptist Partners.
6. Supervise regional support staff as assigned by the Regional Leader.
7. Provides leadership and coordination for strategic church growth studies.
8. Supervise the Communication Resource Specialist to enhance cross-cultural communication competence.
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGY COORDINATION AND MOBILIZATION
1. Nurture and kindle a passion to lead all peoples to saving faith in Jesus Christ and fulfill the vision, mission and basic principles of the International Mission Board.
2. Coordinate the overseas strategies of the International Mission Board, working with Regional Leaders and Regional Strategy Associates with a dual focus on the challenges of the Last Frontier and reaping the harvest.
3. Mobilize SBC churches and entities to be involved in missions; assist all regions in training their personnel to mobilize prayer networks, personnel, and appropriate funding for their field.
4. Supervise the setting up and maintenance of all platforms used by International Mission Board.
5. Coordinate training in Unreached People Group methodology for all International Mission Board personnel.
6. Represents the International Mission Board to the Global Education Consortium of Southern Baptist colleges and universities and to other similar groups.
7. Network with other Great Commission Christian groups and work with the regional leadership to involve Great Commission Christians in establishing the Kingdom of God.
8. Identify restricted countries and people groups which will potentially open to some degree of missionary involvement and design a strategy for rapid deployment teams and involve appropriate Regional Leadership in reaching them.
22 comments:
Novel idea isn't it - to focus on Kingdom Work and work with Great Commission Believers?
I'm feeling the urge to jump ahead and connect the dots in order to make a conclusion based upon this "groundwork" post.
The M's you mention are being terminated for that very thing - working with Great Commission Groups.
how sad. How sad indeed.
David R.
From an interview by Rick Warren with Avery Willis at http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=4169 :
Rick: There are a lot of pastors who get the Ministry ToolBox who are not Southern Baptist, but they'd like to work with an organization that's making a difference. How could they do that?
Avery: Just ask us! I apologize to all the other churches around the world that Baptists have been so isolationist – trying to say, "We can do it by ourselves without other people" - when it actually takes the whole body of Christ to get the job done. So whatever we have that's available, whether that's the Church Planting movement booklet, video, or working with you on the field, we'll do it. We train a lot of people who are not Southern Baptists in missions - how to be strategy coordinators, how to nurture church planting movements. So if they'll just contact us, we'll be glad to work with them.
Wade,
II. f. mentioned who would serve as the search committee for regional leaders. You wouldn't happen to know who served on the search committee for the present RL over West Africa, would you?
Jason Helmbacher
D. To facilitate the ownership and responsibility of each missionary to maximize his or her potential and to fulfill his or her God given call.
I am surprised to hear this was a goal of New Directions. My experience and observation of many others is that we went many steps backward in this regard. Missionaries ceased to be "commissioned" ministers and became institutional employees instead.
Jason,
I have asked how the process was conducted. Let me say from the get go that I like the RL in question. This is not about him as a person. However, I am simply attempting to find out how missionaries can be praised by an RL for the work they are doing on the one hand, and then on the other hand the RL changes and those same missionaries are terminated for "violating policy."
To answer your question on how the new RL was selected is not within my ability at this time. I have asked how the search process was conducted for the new RL. I am of the opinion that missionaries on the field should be given great input into the selection, and if I am not misunderstanding policy, those missionaries on the field are to be asked for nominations for RL. I would like to know if this happened and intend to find out.
Ultimately, the RL in this case was interviewed and screened by an IMB administrator who flew overseas for the interview. I will be having a face to face visit with that administrator in Alberquerque.
Again, just as I do not believe this issue should ever be about the character of the missionaries, I do not believe it should be about the character of the RL. All people involved want what they believe is best for the SBC.
The issue is policy, future direction of the IMB, and whether or not the missionaries in question are actually following Board approved policy. If they are not, they should be terminated. If they are, then someone should give an account for why it is being said they are not.
So, are all the regions of the IMB following New Directions, the approved strategy, to the full extent? Are there any regional committees that have explicitly stated that it is not following ND?
*I like this guy...*
I think it is important to remember, in case anyone is forgetting, that these are policies voted on and approved by the Board of Trustees, not just IMB administration. In other words, they themselves were the ones who decided all this.
Wade,
I agree with your opinion of the RL. I have met with him personally and believe he is doing his job. I was only curious about who selected him for that job and if, as in II. f. of your post, that search committee included certain people involved with overseas operations, i.e. IMB Personnel Committe or Overseas Operations Committee.
Thanks brother! Keep on keeping us kept up.
Jason
Marty,
You do have a knack for getting to the heart of the issue.
"I like this guy" has to do with his person.
But I'm sure you noticed that I am simply going to the policies themselves, as David Rogers reminded us --- approved by IMB trustees ---- and if ANY trustee, administrator, or other person is attempting to remove the missionaries for FOLLOWING Board approved policy because he/she thinks Board approved policy is no longer 'effective,' then my like of individuals will not change, but someone will have to answer some very serious questions that will be posed.
Marty, you have been with me when I have been nothing but friendly to people that I have tried to hold accountable to Board approved policy. I know you believe I can like someone while at the same time hold them accountable to policy.
Wade,
I admire the way you say things without actually saying them. It’s called reading between the lines or as David R, said: “…connect the dots.” I believe his conclusion is correct: “The M’s you mention are being terminated for that very thing – working with Great Commission Groups.”
To connect more dots, what Great Commission Group are they being fired for working with? For years M’s have been told not to work with any M’s from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). I once asked what they have against them. “Churches are giving them money that should be coming to us.” The CBF split maintaining the ‘glue’ that held Baptist together was MISSIONS and not DOCTRINE. (I believe the IMB can doctrine people out faster than they can doctrine them in.)
But more than likely it wasn’t the CBF but the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) because of their vast numbers.
You all remember the BWA? We left that group because they were not good enough for us. They wouldn’t adhere to our BFM and criticized us for firing missionaries. Oh, I left out the main thing; they let the CBF join. (Sorry about the irony; it just came out.)
Someone wrote: “Missionaries ceased to be “commissioned” ministers and became institutional employees instead.”
The dots behind this realization were also in the April 1997 Minutes. It stated that change will come when missionaries have “A confidence and willingness to follow the wisdom and guidance of God-appointed leadership whether we necessarily understand or agree.”
Rex Ray
I suppose my question is similar to Marty's; is what's happening with W.A. regional leadership limited to that region...or are other regions experiencing similar issues with regards to New Directions?
Darren,
Can't yet say, but don't think so.
If they won’t even work with other Baptists, how can they expect to work with other “Great Commission Christians”whose beliefs are less compatible?! Did I understand correctly that the missionaries from the other denomination were required to sign on to the BF&M 2000 before the SBC missionaries were allowed to work with them? What if the SBC missionaries were required in return to sign on to the other missionaries’ creed (I know it’s called a confession, but when it’s used for “doctrinal accountability” that makes it a creed.) before they could work together? It seems rather rude to me. Not that I’m advocating going along with anything that any Christian group does just to get something started, for example, I would find it problematic to start a church with a group who would want to baptize babies. But I can accept them as fellow Christians and work with them when necessary and in whatever way possible.
Thank you, Rex Ray, for finding that so unbaptistic quote about following “God-appointed leadership whether we necessarily understand or agree”. Following Jesus when I don’t necessarily understand at the time, I can handle, though I might doubt my perception of the situation. Following Jesus when I don’t agree, that’s my fault - I should adjust. But I tend to be cautious about a human who says they’re God-appointed and should be followed unquestioningly. I know a few people I would do that for, but they would be very unlikely to expect that, and, as well, would be too humble to say they’re God-appointed, though some might consider them that. Maybe I’m just too much of a traditional Baptist.
Susie
This is in response to Darren:
No, it is not world wide. I am in a city where three regions have offices. This would be a non-issue in all three of these regions. IMB personnel in the region that I am assigned to are encouraged to work with other like-minded workers to fulfill the Great Commission. It used to be that way in West Africa.
Wade,
‘Don’t throw good money after bad’, would be the title if this was a sermon. Just read the wonderful interview with Avery Willis (retired Vice President of the IMB) by Rick Warren as posted on your blog.
Reminded me how military Generals speak their mind once they’re retired. Years ago, Avery told me his hands were tied concerning the possibility of a certain missionary being fired. So the question is who is tying hands of our leaders in the SBC? To get personal, who or what is/will tie your hands if you want to keep from being fired if you speak your conscience? Has the SBC become the KGB where people have to be afraid to keep their jobs?
Rules, rules, rules was in absence of Avery’s definition of missions as he said, “Missions is the activity of God’s people, who are going on missions with him.” Avery never mentioned ‘pray a certain way’, ‘baptized a certain way’, or ‘sign a certain BFM.’ To me those are BAD MONEY, so why use GOOD MONEY with bad as the foundation?
A war may start with one shot. That shot may be the decision to fire/not fire one missionary couple. If that decision comes to the IMB trustees, they may have to decide who is/isn’t a ‘Great Commission Group.’ It would be a slap in the face of the ‘powers that be’ if it was ruled that the BWA and CBF were appropriate.
Wade, we are praying for you and as my aunt would say, “Remember who you are.”
Rex Ray
PS
I’d like to make a motion, a resolution, or whatever that the SBC adhere to the statement in ever BFM that has been written that the BFM has no authority over the conscience. That means the BFM cannot be used to beat people into submission or fire them. It’s not over the Bible or to be used as the Bible’s guideline. That’s not all but its good enough to start.
Ken Hemphill, ex-Pres. of SWBTS, made a wonderful observation in a study course he wrote about Spiritual Gifts ("Serving God .. Discovering and Using Your
Spiritual Gifts"). He stated that the purpose, the "vision", of the local church is not determined by its leadership, but is rather a sovereign "assignment" of God and is manifested in the giftedness of the people whom God has placed in the church.
I've taught that course many times, and I firmly believe that's a wonderful principle that reaches far beyond the local church. I think it applies to all groups involved in God's work.
If true, the IMB ran afoul of it when they decided, in 1997, that they weren't producing numbers like other groups were. At least that's how I read #I.B.
No wonder it didn't work.
Here's part of another article from Missions Frontiers magazine where Avery Willis is quoted at the Global Consultation on World Evangelization-GCOWE '95: (http://www.missionfrontiers.org/1995/0708/ja957.htm) The article is titled "Reconciliation Is It the Missing Key to Revival And World Evangelization?"
Certainly there is also a need for this kind of reconciliation and repentance on the part of many denominations and ministries towards each other. Unfortunately, the attitude of many denominations and ministries has been one of competition and empire building. There is even the unspoken belief that they have more truth than other denominations or ministries. Each believes they must make sure that as many converts as possible become part of their church. Many ministries have too often been unwilling to cooperate with one another.
This kind of needed repentance was also seen at GCOWE '95, as reported by David Aikman. "Doctor Avery Willis nodded his head and the audience broke into applause. He had just apologized on behalf of the Southern Baptist denomination. He had discovered that the best efforts of his denomination, even if all the goals were attained, were not good enough to reach the world by the year 2000.
"'We want to ask forgiveness from you,' he said meekly, 'for thinking we could do that kind of job without you. We recognize that it's going to take the whole body of Christ to reach the people of this world.'
To Missionary in 10/40 Window:
Thank God!
I was in the NAME region a few years ago and one the things that so encouraged me was "New Directions" actually taking place. It was absolutely thrilling. Thanks for sharing this news. The association I am working in is praying for a new partnership and I want to find the right region that shares the "New Directions" sprit from R.L. then throughout the team.
To Susie,
I have appreciated your many comments in the past. I didn’t “find” the “un-Baptist quote” you mentioned as my former missionary son forward the email that was sent to all missionaries. The first four pages of the email had “Report to the Board” and the remainder was “Recommendations to the Board.” I supposed the IMB accepted the “Recommendations” and recorded them as “Minutes” as Wade posted.
The “Report” stated in part: “The guidance and anointing of God will require a significant shift in attitudes and ways of functioning. …put the policy manual on the shelf and focus on the task of winning our world. A passion to know the Messiah and make Him know with a total abandonment that supersedes concerns of finances, family and personal fulfillment. A confidence and willingness to follow the wisdom and guidance of God-appointed leadership whether we necessarily understand or agree. …letters about cost of living become a thing of the past. A passion to share at home what God is doing and mobilize support for overseas work so that there is a no consideration of what counts as a furlough obligation or not.”
Susie, what is the old saying something about “Time will tell?” If the “Report” had known the low morale that would follow, it would have started the email differently than, “This is an awesome moment to stand before you and attempt to articulate the beginning of a new paradigm in overseas administration and structure. Such an expectancy has been created regarding these recommendations that it seems the whole world is waiting with bated breathe for what I am going to say.”
Some people think that God-appointed makes them appointed-God as one Regional leader told a couple, “I’ll pray tonight, and tomorrow I’ll tell you what God’s will is for your life.” (Reported in Baptist Standard Oct. 22, 2001)
Rex Ray
Thanks for the good words, Rex Ray. I hate to get into a dialogue on Wade’s blog, but I can’t resist replying to your comment. I hope I don’t sound blasphemous to say that the WHOLE WORLD wasn’t waiting with bated breath even for what Jesus would say (though many of the faithful were hoping), much less anyone else. If someone said that to me I’m afraid I would want to run the other way.
Years ago I was told that in seeking God’s will I would feel it and someone else would also see the same thing for me. (I understood it to mean that the calling I felt would be affirmed by someone where I was seeking to serve.) I don’t think the story at the end of your post is how that was supposed to work.
Susie
Hello, Wade.
Greetings from your missionary cousin.
I wanted to thank you for your April 17 insights and for your obvious love for missionaries in general. I particularly wanted to comment on the possible dismissal of the missionary couple in Africa due to their collaborating with CMA missionaries in a church plant project.
I realize we don’t have all the information as of yet, but so far nothing I have read fits with the IMB training and seminars I have been privileged to attend since New Directions. These events were very helpful and effective. The general impression I received was that missionaries were given the freedom to develop strategies that would facilitate rapid church starts. We were encouraged to use both traditional and non-traditional paradigms in order to develop strategies that were effective and locally reproducible. I remember that on MANY occasions IMB leadership underlined the importance of not only being aware of, but also partnering with Great Commission Christian (GCC) groups in order to ignite a church planting movement. In fact, in preparing three-year plans, as strategy coordinator I had to provide specific and tangible actions to demonstrate I was not neglecting GCCs.
At a conference two years ago I stood up and asked Regional Leadership if missionaries could start churches that would not formally define themselves as Baptists. I was wondering because many missionaries in our part of the world are starting house churches that are not affiliated with any convention. I was told that this was not the “ideal,” but that Kingdom growth was more important than the denominational label. As long as the new congregations were Baptistic it was okay not to label the congregations as Baptist. I personally have not had any problem using the name Baptist and working alongside national Baptist brethren. However, it has been nice to know I that have had the freedom to participate in any church plant even if the term Baptist would not be used.
So I am at a loss as to what is going on in the case now in the news. I realize that we are not privy to all the information and there could possibly be other factors involved, but maybe not…and that is troubling. I understand that working with another GCC group in general church planting endeavors is one thing, but that having an IMB missionary START a church that is openly of another denomination is another. In the long run that would not be healthy. I do not know exactly what is going on in the Africa case. Regardless, even if this couple was working with a CMA couple to start a church that turns out to be CMA, it is not cause for dismissal. Why not say, “I am glad you started a church, but we do not feel it is appropriate to openly start a congregation of another denomination (which I see as rather obvious). Please adjust your strategy.”
I am waiting on more information. At worst, this is the IMB backtracking from previous philosophy, which I doubt. At best, it is a conflict of well-meaning missionaries and very by-the-book leadership.
Blessings,
Jerry
To Susie,
Our internet has been down or I would have sent this sooner. I have appreciated your many comments in the past. I didn’t “find” the “un-Baptist quote” you mentioned as my former missionary son forward the email that was sent to all missionaries. The first four pages of the email had “Report to the Board” and the remainder was “Recommendations to the Board.” I supposed the IMB accepted the “Recommendations” and recorded them as “Minutes” as Wade posted.
The “Report” stated in part: “The guidance and anointing of God will require a significant shift in attitudes and ways of functioning. …put the policy manual on the shelf and focus on the task of winning our world. A passion to know the Messiah and make Him know with a total abandonment that supersedes concerns of finances, family and personal fulfillment. A confidence and willingness to follow the wisdom and guidance of God-appointed leadership whether we necessarily understand or agree. …letters about cost of living become a thing of the past. A passion to share at home what God is doing and mobilize support for overseas work so that there is a no consideration of what counts as a furlough obligation or not.”
Susie, what is the old saying something about “Time will tell?” If the “Report” had known the low morale that would follow, it would have started the email differently than, “This is an awesome moment to stand before you and attempt to articulate the beginning of a new paradigm in overseas administration and structure. Such an expectancy has been created regarding these recommendations that it seems the whole world is waiting with bated breathe for what I am going to say.”
Some people think that God-appointed makes them appointed-God as one Regional leader told a couple, “I’ll pray tonight, and tomorrow I’ll tell you what God’s will is for your life.” (Reported in Baptist Standard Oct. 22, 2001)
Rex Ray
Post a Comment