The Weblog of Dennis Dawson
A New Era - 2008-11-19
Many associations know where they have been, but have no clear vision for where they are going.
As we begin a new era as the Metro-East Baptist Association, I ask the question: “Where do we go from here?” God has blessed our association in years past; but what is His mandate for us in 2009 and beyond? Will we continue doing the same things? Will we seek to do the same things better? Or will we choose to begin doing new things that will engage a world that is changing exponentially? Would we dare to redefine our association in the days to come? Consider the following:
• MEBA is not to be merely a producer of religious goods and services.
• MEBA is not an institution. It is not a building at 4950 Old Collinsville Road.
• MEBA is not about self-preservation. MEBA exists for the local church and not vice-versa.
• MEBA is a Body called into intimacy with God and sent on His mission.
• MEBA is to be a living, changing, growing organism of local congregations with but one unquenchable passion—to reach our world for Christ!
So, how does all that translate into action? Perhaps God is calling on the Metro-East Baptist Association to take on the following roles:
• New Work Strategist: assisting churches to start church-starting churches. There are pockets of population in the Metro East that are not being reached; new works may be key to reaching them.
• Church Health/Growth Strategist: assisting local churches to become strong/stronger, healthy, effective, reproducing, growing bodies of Christ.
• Mentor/Guide/Confidant to Pastors and Staff: assisting local church leaders to become/ stay healthy and effective.
• Source of Missional Opportunity: assisting local churches to see their communities, our region, our state, the nation, and the world through God’s eyes and helping the churches to find venues for becoming Acts 1:8 churches.
• Network Facilitator: assisting churches to partner with others to become stronger, effective, strategic and productive.
• Resourcer: assisting churches to accomplish their purpose and/or to re-dream the dream and then to resource that dream.
The role of Metro-East Baptist Association will become more specific as we build a strong relationship in the days to come. Each local church is unique and will have a unique mandate and unique needs. Customization is in order; a cookie-cutter approach will never do.
I see a day when every person and every people group in every community of the Metro East will have opportunity to hear the Gospel, respond with faith in Christ, and participate in a New Testament fellowship of believers. Together, with God and each other, we can make this vision a reality!