Baptists often define kingdom boundaries too narrowly to affect mission. We love to mark our territory. These lines are many. But, the thing is, they inhibit mission because they hinder cooperation. If we are to be kingdom people, we must eliminate some of these lines, and relearn the language of cooperation and partnership in light of 21st century realities.
HolmesCooperation is a Southern Baptist distinctive. Yet, usually, it is affiliation within narrowly defined borders – churches, associations, agencies, institutions, conventions – that share doctrinal confession. In some respects, our cooperation is primarily the unity of mailing checks to the same post office box. In spite of our unifying statement of faith and mission organizations, however, we still operate within rigid silos that are turf protective and mission specific. Genuine partnership knows nothing of these organizational traits.
We are mission pioneers, too. In times of plenty, our wide net gives us entry to a broad range of human needs, from feeding the hungry to educating people, prisoner packets, missionary boxes, and local food pantries. It’s an admirable profile to be compassionate, caring, generous, and multifaceted. Yet, in tighter economic times, when resources are scarce, broader boundaries and stronger partnerships may be more mission sensitive.
Many doctrinally compatible organizations do some things better than we do. We should partner with them rather than compete with them for declining resources. At the same time, the vast network of Baptist entities should master the finer points of kingdom cooperation so we can advance our work rather than restrict it. You know, we don’t have to do everything ourselves to impact our world. This, of course, is a larger application of the body principles discovered in 1 Corinthians 12, the various parts working together toward a defined goal.
Much of the debate about the Great Commission Resurgence ignores the potential of mission networking. The need of this hour is to clearly define our mission and form affiliations to insure it is fulfilled. We do boast a good bit about our cooperative spirit. The truth of the matter, however, is that our cooperation usually extends to the edge of our own turf, and not always much farther. Our commission demands more.
Collaboration is a word we must learn. This is the art, maybe discipline, of working together.?It is how the world moves these days. At the foundation, collaboration is a task orientation that pulls together the resources to make the task happen. It reaches across silos and lines to bring varied gifts and strengths to the common mission. It is the amazing work of pooling resources toward the fulfillment of our biblical mandate. A collaborative environment minimizes duplication and maximizes result. Bringing a “no boundaries” approach to the task of making disciples may be a blessed solution to our missional dilemma and provide a way forward into the territories of Great Commission fulfillment.
Scripture guides us! Note two truths from 1 Corinthians. The body is arranged just as God planned it (1 Corinthians 12:18). Also, His church possesses every gift needed to accomplish His assignment (1 Corinthians 1:7). This principle is simple, yet huge. We need each other.
It is the stuff of kingdom partnership.