Platt looks ahead to missions challengesSeptember 2, 2014 by Tess Rivers, IMB/Baptist Press | |
International Mission Board President, David Platt, said that it’s not cooperation for the sake of cooperation; the goal is seeing more people reached with the gospel. READ MORE |
LifeWay could face 'headwinds of change'September 2, 2014 by Marty King, LifeWay/Baptist Press | |
Thom S. Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, reflects on “headwinds of change” during the Aug. 25-26 trustee meeting in Ridgecrest, N.C. READ MORE |
SEBTS launches spiritual formation centerAugust 29, 2014 by SEBTS Communications | |
SEBTS announced the new Center for Spiritual Formation & Evangelical Spirituality directed by Nathan Finn, associate professor of historical theology and Baptist studies. READ MORE |
Fire survivors thankful for reliefSeptember 2, 2014 by Tobin Perry, NAMB/Baptist Press | |
Patty Wetzel remembers well the night 37 years ago when she and her family were forced to flee their burning home. Her family lost “everything” that night. |
OTHER BR NEWS |
Pastors request Driscoll to step down completely
R.G. Lee steeled by 'toil' on Panama Canal
Boggs: The increase of narcissism
Cooperation central to Platt's vision at IMB
K. Allan Blume BR Editor | David Platt's new job Last Wednesday the news was fast and furious in the world of Southern Baptist media when the International Mission Board’s (IMB) trustees announced the election of David Platt as the new IMB president. BRweekly went out at 6:30 that morning, so we were not able to cover the issue in the e-newsletter. But our website lit up with the second highest visitor count this year. The news was met with enthusiasm for the most part. Almost every recognized SBC leader issued a statement of support or blogged positively about the trustees’ choice to succeed Tom Elliff. Some raised concerns about Platt. Most of the questions about his election fall in 4 categories: (1) his church’s low Cooperative Program (CP) giving record, (2) his Calvinistic theology, (3) his young age and (4) the fact that he has not served as an IMB missionary. The Biblical Recorder has been posting news items and blogs on BRnow.org every day. If you follow our "Best Blogs" section on the right side of the front page, you have seen many opinions. We have not posted the opinions of those whose conclusions are not based on fact. One blogger said Platt’s church gave nothing to CP, which is false. One pastor call Platt a "hyper-Calvinist," which is not true. Platt, 36, is young. In fact the youngest-elected IMB president just followed the oldest-elected IMB president. Platt is not the first IMB president who did not serve on "the field" as a career missionary. Out of 12 IMB presidents, five were appointed to overseas service. Seven, including Platt, did not serve overseas. If you missed our news stories about Platt’s election, here they are: The first story on Platt’s election Brook Hills’ giving record (church where Platt served as pastor) Platt’s first address to IMB missionary appointees We also posted this guest column by Russell Moore So, Platt is the new IMB president. Let’s pray for him, his family, all of the IMB staff and all overseas personnel. We can also work harder to increase both our CP giving and our gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. The Great Commission is still our calling. Let’s roll! Here in North Carolina, we have a biblical, Acts1:8 responsibility to the lost people of our state. The North Carolina Missions Offering begins this week and it is extremely important as we obey this commission. If you will take a few minutes to learn the effectiveness of these mission dollars in sharing the gospel, I believe you will give with excitement and generosity. Tell someone today that Jesus loves them. People need to know! |