Cooperation vs. Independance
Although the association exists to serve and resource churches, an association (and our convention) could not exist without the participation and cooperation of churches. Our loving cooperation is a tremendous testimony to a watching world. As our world observes our love for each other and our cooperation together, they see the love of Jesus Christ fleshed out through our actions.
Across our convention, I believe that we are often united on core doctrinal beliefs. However, based on recent convention issues it appears obvious that there may be less loyalty to our convention and associational causes than in past days. The evidence is that we are becoming less and less cooperative, and more and more independent in thinking and practice.
We must remember that autonomy and independence are two different things. Autonomy refers to self-rule. Every Southern Baptist church is independent and makes its own decisions under the Lordship of Christ. That is autonomy. The association, nor any other denominational entity, has any authorative control over any local congregation. That is autonomy.
Independence says that I will do my own thing and will turn to others only when I need them . . . we have always rejected that idea. Autonomous churches choose to work together because we can accomplish more together than alone. It is not just about our congregation but also about the cooperative effort to do more together.
The local association has been the model of cooperation for almost 300 years. In 2007, we celebrate the 300th year of local associations. From the cooperative work of the earliest associations in the 1700’s, our Southern Baptist Convention was birthed in 1845. Eventually, Southern Baptist developed The Cooperative Program, which has been a model of Biblical cooperation among autonomous churches.
When churches systematically support the local association and the Cooperative Program it shows a cooperative spirit that says that we believe in the Kingdom work of Kingdom people, in Kingdom positions locally and around the world.
Some churches in our convention are becoming more independent in their participation and giving patterns. Their focus is on doing their own thing and giving only to what they can see, touch and control.
I want to challenge churches to take the high road in cooperative mission support. Even though we won’t see the result of every dollar invested, churches can find ways to keep their people in touch with missions and ministries at home and abroad. Church members can take an active part in church or associational mission trips and the various mission emphases that occur throughout the year. This keeps people in touch with the “face of missions” on the mission field. I promise that you will see the evidence of God working through your investment in cooperative ministry.
Cooperative participation and giving through your association and the Cooperative Program is a blessed effort. An effort consecrated for the divine purpose of reaching our cities, counties, states, nation and world with the Gospel. It may now be possible for us to reach every unreached people group in the world with a witness for Christ. Can you imagine, not only every one of your neighbors hearing about Jesus, but every people group in the world having the opportunity to hear the Gospel in their own heart language?
Your support of your local association and the Cooperative Program is a sacred effort. I pray pastors, church planters, and all laity will consider the value and importance of the eternal investment made when they cooperate in all levels of our denomination.
bobby gilstrap