Planning Retreat- Missions

BSBA: Current Statement of Mission

The Burnt Swamp Baptist Association shall provide support, liberty, and opportunity to enable member churches to be in fellowship and on mission fulfilling God’s plan and purposes for their existence, both individually and together. The Association shall have four major objectives in order to fulfill its mission: to strengthen program organizations, to promote missions, to develop leadership, and to nurture fellowship. Furthermore, the Association shall encourage its churches to cooperate with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Scriptural Foundation

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Principles

What is our mission: We are called to go, teach, and make disciples.

Where is our mission: To the ends of the earth

Acts 1:8 NIV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Principles:

How do we accomplish this mission:

There is an outward missions direction. Beginning in your own community, we should reach and serve nationally, and internationally.

If we do not disciple and train our people well, we will fail to reach others.

This witnessing is done by the Spirit, and as such we must be dependent on prayer.

This is speaking to churches. Missions is accomplished through the local church, so the association should be a resource to help disciple, coordinate, and empower local churches.

John 20:21 NIV

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Principles

Who is on mission?

All of God’s people are called. As Christ has been sent, so we are sent. The question is not if we are sent, the question is where.

We can not say, “God has not sent me to reach and disciple”

Romans 10:13–15 NIV

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Principles

We must do more than send money. We must send people! We must send hands and feet to touch, feed, and preach.

3 John 1–8 NIV

1 The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

Principles

How does this direct the association?

1. Concern for missions and missionaries is normal (vv. 3, 5, 8).

Our focus should be outward. We should look beyond our own churches and buildings. We should be sending and supporting.

2. Cooperation among local churches is encouraged (vv. 3, 7).

Cooperation among churches is biblical and necessary.

The question is, how can we best work together to reach the nations?

3. Knowing whom we ought to support is crucial (vv. 6–8).

How do we determine who we support and what missions we give to?

There are things we should give to, and things we should not give to?

God’s resources should be stewarded well.

We should assess character (1Tim 3:1-7), fruitfulness , and biblical knowledge.

4. Support should be abundant (v. 6).

We should be generous to our church and association.

5. The motivation is love for the glory of Christ (vv. 7–8).

Our heart and motivation is to see God magnified in us and through our people.

“The core of missions preparation is not missions studies. It is godliness and Bible knowledge and evangelistic zeal and love for Christ’s church and a passion to see Christ glorified.” -Andy Johnson

The Association should be active in providing training for churches, while also equipping and sending resources and people for the support of local, national, and international missions.