What does "It's Still the Great Commission" Mean?

2007 SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
Conference Theme: “It’s STILL...The GREAT Commission!”
Matthew 28.18-20; Mark 16,15-16; Luke 24.44-53;
John 20.21-23; Acts 1.4-11

The Great Commission is Jesus Christ’s MISSION MANDATE to His churches.

It is the ONLY Mandate and Commission He has given us.

And, He promised that this Mandate and Commission is authoritative, binding, and effective UNTIL HE COMES BACK...”all the days even until the end of the age.”

Not only is The Great Commission THE ONLY COMMISSION WE HAVE, but it is also THE ONLY COMMISSION WE NEED.

So, we must renew at least three responses we must give The Great Commission:
1. We must renew our COMPREHENSION of the Great Commission.

We must study it, review it, and thoroughly understand what He is commissioning and commanding us to do in this Commission.

2. We must renew our CONFIDENCE in the Great Commission.

We must trust His wisdom and power enough to obey it and work it as He gave it.

3. We must renew our COMMITMENT to the Great Commission.

We mustn’t look for a better paradigm, model, or method for doing the work He has given us to complete.

So, WHAT IS IN THE GREAT COMMISSION?
WHY IS THE GREAT COMMISSION SO GREAT?
WHAT DO WE COMMIT TO...WHEN WE COMMIT TO THE GREAT COMMISSION?

We COMMIT TO: the PERSONAL AUTHORITY for our churches and our mission endeavors: He is Jesus Christ.

We COMMIT TO: the PURPOSE of our churches and our mission endeavors: that is, TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.

We COMMIT TO: the POWER of our churches and our mission endeavors: He is, again, JESUS CHRIST and His Personal Presence with us...and the Power of His Resurrection Life living in us and working through us -- and the PROMISED POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. It is NOT the power of our creativity, ingenuity, or superior wisdom to improve on the Plan He has given us.

We COMMIT TO: the PRIORITY of our churches...and for our churches: what I mean by that is --

• Jesus Christ has placed HIS PRIORITY FOR THE WORK OF HIS KINGDOM on His churches...He gave His Commission to His churches and He works through His churches
  
• and the PRIORITY of His churches is THE MISSION HE HAS GIVEN US... and especially THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST...and establishing more churches to evangelize and train disciples to be obedient followers and servants of Jesus Christ -- nothing less...and nothing other than this.

We COMMIT TO: the PROMISE and the PROSPECTS for our churches and our missions endeavors: our PROSPECTS are nothing less than THE PROMISES JESUS CHRIST HAS GIVEN HIS CHURCHES, and that is, that the gates and defenses of Hell itself will not withstand, frustrate, or defeat us.

We COMMIT TO: the PROGRAM for our churches and missions endeavors: [PRO-GRAM simply means: what has been written before hand for us to follow...our agenda, manual, and instructions]. Our PROGRAM is THE WORD OF GOD and especially proclaiming THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST...and training the disciples of Jesus Christ to obey everything He has commanded us.

We COMMIT TO: the PROCESSES of our churches and missions endeavors: PROCESSES are METHODS FOR DOING WHAT WE DO. PROCESSES are ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES AND STEPS OF OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST. Jesus Christ has given us METHODS TO IMPLEMENT AND FOLLOW: namely,

• evangelism
  
• worship [loving reverence]
  
• discipleship
  
• fellowship, and
  
• service to Christ...and to each other...and to the world.

And another thing we COMMIT TO is: THE PASSION OF OUR CHURCHES for this mission and unfailing plan Jesus Christ has given us. We are sure that JESUS CHRIST IS STILL AS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS GREAT COMMISSION HE GAVE US AS HE WAS WHEN HE FIRST COMMANDED IT. ARE WE?

And, this same Great Commission that He has given us to carry on is THE SAME GREAT COMMISSION HE CAME TO EARTH TO FULFILL AND COMPLETE BY HIS OWN OBEDIENCE TO HIS FATHER.

It’s STILL...HIS GREAT COMMISSION!
And, It’s STILL...OUR GREAT COMMISSION!

LATEST UPDATE ON 2006-07 THANKSGIVING OFFERING: $99,246.86

8 February 2007

When I wrote the 10 January article [posted below] which was printed in last month’s Mission Sheets (January issue), I appealed for the continuation of the Thanksgiving Offering until we reached at least the $85,000.00 goal we had set.

I WASN’T CRYING “WOLF!” We really did (and do) need at least the $85,000.00 and more.

At that time, I had just received the latest offerings report from our faithful Treasurer, and with the $42,635.00 given in December, that brought our Grand-Total-To-Date up to $78,591.38. A very generous Offering, but we needed to complete the whole goal.

I submitted that article to the Mission Sheets editor to go to press and then headed to Park Ridge Baptist Church for the BFM Winter Conference. THE LORD HAD SOME WONDERFUL PROVISIONS ALREADY IN STORE FOR US! [John 6.6: "...for He Himself knew what He would do."]

Brother Sledd told me Monday night of the Conference that a long-time Giving Friend of BFM (who wishes to remain anonymous) had given $10,000.00 to the General Fund/Thanksgiving Offering. And then, during the Conference, the generous saints of God at Park Ridge, in addition to graciously hosting the Winter Conference, also presented an offering of $9,180.48 to the Thanksgiving Offering! There were other generous gifts given by dear Giving Friends during the month also.

So, GOD BE PRAISED! The current Grand-Total-To-Date for the Thanksgiving Offering is $99,246.86. CAN WE EXCEED $100,000.00?

Let me repeat what I stated in the January issue article: We will need all this -- and increased regular monthly General Fund offerings also -- because we will be increasing our missionary outreach and commitments during 2007, and those increased commitments will require continued increased giving. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9.8.

God bless you for all you have done...are doing...and will continue to do for our missionaries!

2006-07 THANKSGIVING OFFERING: "STILL GOING!"

10 January 2007

I just got the report for the December offerings from our faithful Treasurer, Pastor George Sledd. Brother Sledd works daily to receive your offerings, record them, and then send them to me each month to be disbursed according to your directions.

Let me give you an updated report on the current Thanksgiving Offering.

December's Thanksgiving Offering was $47,374.63.

Putting all our Thanksgiving Offerings together from the past three months, that brings us to a Grand-Total-To-Date of $78,591.38. That is a very good and generous offering. And we thank each of you, our Giving Friends.

But, we really need to meet our stated goal of $85,000.00.

Let me tell you why: one of my responsibilities as Secretary is to prepare a Projected Budget to present to the Directors at our Thanksgiving Conference Business Meeting. Well, when I prepared and presented the 2007 Projected Budget, THERE WAS A PROJECTED DEFICIT OF AROUND $84,000.00. We always need, expect and depend upon the Thanksgiving Offering to supply that deficit. So, that's why we are asking for AT LEAST an $85,000.00 Thanksgiving Offering. [Of course, the other option for supplying that deficit is for the MONTHLY GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS also to increase in the upcoming year over the past year.]

In addition to our current General Fund commitments to our missionaries, we are also giving serious consideration to increasing our missions outreach during 2007. And, it is imperative that we have the funds available to us to meet those missions commitments.

So, we're going to do something unprecedented.
WE ARE EXTENDING THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING
AND ASKING YOU TO GIVE AGAIN.

We need to increase our current Thanksgiving Offering total by at least 10%. Can you give again at least a small percentage of the offering you have already given? We can all do that in some proportion as the Lord enables you and impresses you.

I know that some of you have given sacrificially already. So, you may not have anything more to give. But, some may have not given anything yet, thinking your offering may have been so small or insignificant it wouldn't make a difference.

Well, the difference you can make is the difference we need right now!

We will keep you updated on our continuing progress.

GOD BLESS YOU EVERY ONE, GIVING FRIENDS!

What is "FaithWorks"?

“FaithWorks” is my attempt to keep you updated on the latest “works” or “goings-on” in Baptist Faith Missions. I want to keep up a relatively current conversation with you concerning what is happening...what is developing...and what we are planning.

“FaithWorks” means two things: [1] You can read it as a declarative statement: “ Faith works.” True faith always works. We are Baptist FAITH Missions, so if we are FAITH missions, and true faith WORKS, then our FAITH will WORK.

Galatians 5.6 declares that “FAITH WORKS through love.” And our FAITH will WORK also through our love for the Lord Jesus Christ, for missions, for our missionaries, and for the world of lost people whom Jesus loves.

[2] Secondly, you can read “FaithWorks” as a description of the kind of WORKS we are doing -- they are FAITH-kind of WORKS. To quote James 2.18 in that classic challenge of his to those who claimed that they had FAITH ONLY WITHOUT WORKS: “Show me your faith without your works, and I WILL SHOW YOU MY FAITH BY MY WORKS.” And, “thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” [James 2.17]

So, FAITH ONLY...WITHOUT WORKS...IS DEAD, and we can also be sure that WORKS DONE APART FROM FAITH IN CHRIST WILL BE DEAD WORKS ALSO. So, the kind of WORKS we want to do are FAITH WORKS. WORKS that are done in obedience to the words of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I hope to keep you up-to-speed on the works Jesus Christ is doing through us here in Baptist Faith Missions. John 14.12: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [FAITH], the WORKS that I do he will do also; and GREATER WORKS than these he will do, because I go to My Father, and whatever you ask in My Name [FAITH], that I will do [HIS WORKS THROUGH US], that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

FAITH WORKS...FAITH-WORKS.

Thanksgiving Offering FAQ

BAPTIST FAITH MISSIONS
THANKSGIVING OFFERING FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. "WHY DO WE HAVE A THANKSGIVING OFFERING?"
We have a Thanksgiving Offering because WE NEED IT to "make our ends meet" for the coming year to meet the financial commitments we have made to our missionaries for the services and benefits we provide from the General Fund.

2. "WHY IS THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING SO IMPORTANT?"
The Thanksgiving Offering is ESSENTIAL to make up for the monthly deficits we incur month by month in the General Fund. This deficit is the difference between the monthly income offerings for the General Fund and the outgoing disbursements.

3. "WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING?"
When we receive the Thanksgiving Offering beginning in November of the current year, we put it in escrow in an interest-bearing account. Then we draft from it month by month over the coming year to make up for the monthly deficits we incur in our General Fund.

4. "WHAT SERVICES AND BENEFITS DOES THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING PROVIDE?"
The Thanksgiving Offering enables us to meet the policy commitments we have made to our missionaries. Those standard commitments include:
• monthly salaries
• monthly standard housing allowances
• monthly standard ministry expenses allowances
• missionaries' hospitalization premiums
• hospitalization personal deductible reimbursements to the missionaries
• reimbursements for missionaries' furlough plane tickets
• printing and mailing The Mission Sheets (missionaries' monthly letters, reports, updates -- and detailed report of all offerings given through BFM that month)
• expenses for maintaining Stateside office for communication and daily services
• providing and maintaining a Furlough Home in Lexington for those missionaries who choose to use it
• $8000.00 Auto Allowance provided for each missionary every four years

5. "HOW ELSE IS THE GENERAL FUND SUPPLIED?"
The standard supply for the General Fund is from monthly offerings which are given to the General Fund. These offerings are listed monthly in the Mission Sheets under "General Fund". These offerings are never sufficient to cover the commitments which are provided from the General fund.

6. "ARE "DESIGNATED OFFERINGS" EVER USED FOR GENERAL FUND PURPOSES?"
No. Designated Offerings are designated by the contributor for specific projects and ministry needs the missionaries have. All Designated Offerings are given in total to the designated purposes.

7. "WHAT HAPPENS IF THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE MONTHLY DEFICITS FOR THE COMING YEAR?"
In this event, certain monthly commitments which are supplied from the General Fund are reduced proportionately among the missionaries from the General Fund resources which are available that month. WE PRAISE GOD AND BLESS HIM FOR YOUR GENEROSITY, THAT IN ALL THE YEARS SINCE BFM's INCEPTION IN 1942, WE HAVE NEVER FAILED TO SEND OUR MISSIONARIES THEIR SALARIES. THERE HAVE BEEN VERY RARE INSTANCES IN WHICH THEIR MONTHLY HOUSING OR MINISTRY EXPENSE ALLOWANCES HAVE BEEN REDUCED OR ELIMINATED FOR THAT MONTH.

8. "DO YOU EVER USE THE THANKSGIVING OFFERINGS FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT ALREADY PRESCRIBED AND COMMITTED TO OUR MISSIONARIES FROM GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS?"
No. We have never had left-over Thanksgiving Offering funds or balances in the General Fund at the end of the current fiscal year after exhausting last year's Thanksgiving Offering. That means we have no funds committed for General Fund services which can be applied toward other "discretionary" (non-policy/prescribed) uses.

9. "WHAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN IN THE MONTHLY GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS FOR YOU TO USE THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING FOR OTHER THAN CURRENTLY PRESCRIBED / POLICY COMMITMENTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS?"
For that to happen, we would need to increase our monthly offerings to the General Fund sufficiently to "break even" each month between the offerings to the General Fund and disbursements from the General Fund. THAT IS OUR LONG-TERM GOAL. In that event, we could then use our Thanksgiving Offering for "growth initiatives": that is, either increasing our current missionaries' services and benefits or assuming full-time support for additional missionaries and expanding BFM's outreach to other fields of service.

10. "WHY IS THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING GIVEN AT THE THANKSGIVING SEASON?"
• The BFM Thanksgiving Offering began many years ago in conjunction with the annual Thanksgiving Missionary Conference in the Detroit-area and has continued that way to this day.
• Also, the Thanksgiving season is good reminder of the thanks we owe God for His Indescribable Gift in Jesus Christ.
• And, the Thanksgiving season and Offering is a good occasion for us to give missionary offerings so others, also, may hear the blessed Good News of salvation through Christ…and, in this way, MULTIPLY STILL MORE THANKSGIVINGS TO GOD.

11. "HOW CAN I GIVE MY THANKSGIVING OFFERING?"
If your church receives a Thanksgiving Offering for the missionaries supported through BFM, then we encourage you to give your offering through your church. Most of the Thanksgiving Offerings which are given by churches are made up by the voluntary offerings of individual members who give to the Offering.

12. "WHAT IF MY CHURCH DOES NOT RECEIVE A BFM THANKSGIVING OFFERING?"
If your church does not participate in the Thanksgiving Offering, you may send your personal gift to the Treasurer of BFM and be sure to designate it "Thanksgiving Offering."

13. "CAN I GIVE MY THANKSGIVING OFFERING ONLY AT THANKSGIVING…OR DURING NOVEMBER?"
No. Most churches and individual Friends of BFM give on or around Thanksgiving Sunday (either the Sunday before or after Thanksgiving Day). However, offerings continue to come in to the Treasurer during the month of December, and sometimes on into January of the next year. But, all offerings designated "Thanksgiving Offering" go toward the same collective Offering for that year.

14. "HOW IS THE "EVERY FRIEND A GIVING FRIEND" PERSONAL GIVING MINISTRY PERTINENT TO THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING?"
We introduced the "EVERY FRIEND A GIVING FRIEND" ministry and plan during the 2003 Thanksgiving Conference. This plan is nothing new or unique; it is just another way to express and articulate what the Friends of BFM have been doing since the inception of the Mission. It is also patterned after the instructions Paul gives us in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9: that is,
1. to purpose in your heart to give an offering;
2. to ask God to supply you with the funds you will need to give the offering;
3. to plan and begin preparing even a year ahead of time (as Paul instructed the Corinthians and the other churches to do); and
4. to give your offerings to the Lord and to the Lord's missionaries willingly and cheerfully and to express your love and obedience to the Lord.
We encourage each Friend of BFM to be a Giving Friend and give personal offerings to help supply our missionaries' needs which are met through the General Fund.
"EVERY FRIEND A GIVING FRIEND" challenges each Friend of BFM to personally participate in missions giving over and above the regular tithes and offerings you give to your church to meet the needs of your local church's ministries.
In the "Every Friend a Giving Friend" plan, we also encourage each Giving Friend to make a personal commitment to either begin giving or increase your giving each month to the General Fund.

YOU CAN FIND THE FULL TEXT OF THE "EVERY FRIEND A GIVING FRIEND" PLAN ON OUR WEBSITE: www.baptistfaithmissions.org OR YOU CAN OBTAIN PAPER COPIES BY CONTACTING OUR SECRETARY:
DAVE PARKS
3985 BOSTON ROAD,
LEXINGTON KY 40514
859.223.8374
daveparks@insightbb.com

15. "WHY DO YOU SET GOALS FOR THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING?"
We set goals because the goal amount is keyed to the projected needs we expect to meet for the coming year of missionary ministry. When we increase the commitments, services, and benefits we need to give our missionaries so they can fulfill their ministries, our needs for the necessary funds increase also. And, please remember with us that WE CANNOT APPROVE AND COMMIT OUR SUPPORT TO ADDITIONAL MISSIONARY CANDIDATES UNLESS WE BELIEVE THE LORD WILL SUPPLY THOSE FUNDS THROUGH YOUR GIVING.

OUR 2006 THANKSGIVING OFFERING GOAL IS $85,000.00.

WOULD YOU PLEASE PRAY AND ASK THE LORD OF THE HARVEST
WHAT HE WOULD HAVE YOU GIVE TO THIS YEAR'S THANKSGIVING OFFERING?
AND THEN ASK HIM ALSO TO SUPPLY YOU WITH THAT GIFT
FROM HIS INEXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES OF GRACE?

OUR NEEDS HAVE NEVER BEEN GREATER…
AND WE ALSO HAVE UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITIES
TO MUTIPLY OUR FIELDS OF SERVICE
BY APPROVING SUPPORT
FOR ADDITIONAL MISSIONARY APPLICANTS.

Thank You, GIVING FRIENDS!