sbc IMPACT!

Missions & The “Traditional” Church in the SBC

February 11th, 2008 by David Rogers
Posted in Baptist Life, Church, David Rogers, Missions |

For the past five days, I have been a guest participant in the Global Impact Celebration (GIC) at the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama. In general, I am a supporter of non-traditional, innovative approaches to ministry and missions. In order to reach the ever-changing world in which we live, I believe it is necessary to adapt and “be all things to all men in order to save some.” I also am very supportive of kingdom initiatives such as the Small Church Pastors Conference being organized by Les Puryear, and the “simple church” movement around the world and in the United States.

At the same time, though, I am firmly convinced that the richness of the Body of Christ, the Spiritual Temple that Jesus is building down through history around the world, is enriched and edified by many different sizes and shapes of “spiritual stones” and “spiritual sub-structures.” My experience this week in Montgomery has served to further confirm my respect and admiration for the strategic contribution for the cause of missions of the so-called “traditional” church in Southern Baptist life.

Founded in 1829, FBC Montgomery is steeped in tradition. Down through the years, they have had 23 different Senior Pastors, including renowned Baptist pioneer and statesman Basil Manly. The present-day church premises house both the remarkable worship center built between 1905 and 1922 modeled after the Cathedral in Florence, Italy, as well as the sumptuous and elegant new sanctuary complex completed in 2005 where regular congregational worship services are now held.

With more than 5,000 members, FBC Montgomery is a bona fide “mega-church.” On Sunday morning, the majority of the men are dressed in coat and tie, the ladies in dresses. The music is, for the most part, “blended-traditional,” with a mixture of hymns, choir anthems, and praise choruses. A glimpse at the congregation reveals a good number of “silver-heads,” including a fair share of “movers and shakers” in the community, and even the present mayor of the city.

At the same time, FBC Montgomery is a vibrant, thriving family of believers that continues to grow and project an exciting vision for the future. Along with the precious heritage of godly, mature, elderly saints, there is a significant contingent of young, dynamic leaders who exude an enthusiastic warmth and diligent commitment to Christian discipleship. Pastor Jay Wolf leads a team of dedicated and loyal staff members, whose heart for excellence in ministry is immediately apparent.

What really impressed me, though, during my visit to Montgomery, is the strategic impact First Baptist Church is making, through its missions emphasis, towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Located in the heart of downtown Montgomery, FBC has resisted the temptation to relocate to the suburbs, opting to dedicate significant resources towards ministering to the inner city community. I was absolutely blown away by the evident love for the downtrodden, and visionary missional leadership of Community Ministries Director Jane Ferguson, who oversees a vast array of programs including: International Ministry, ESL and Citizenship Classes, Adult Learning Center, Prison Ministry, S.T.E.P. Ministry to the Poor, Tutoring for At-Risk Children, Mom’s Program, Fatherhood Initiative Program, Counseling, Support Groups, AIDS Ministry, Children’s Learning Center, Teachers Supply Store, “Santa’s Workshop,” Angel Tree, Hope Community Church, Project Hope, and Fresh Waters Church.

Not to be outdone, FBC Montgomery’s International and North American missions commitment is a shining example to the rest of the Body of Christ. In 2007, FBC receipts for Lottie Moon were over $230,000, Annie Armstrong over $100,000, and aggregate spending for mission endeavors well over $2,000,000! For the year 2008, they have scheduled a whopping total of 22 different mission trips, both in the US and around the world. It doesn’t take long being on campus at FBC Montgomery to realize that it is a church that lives and breathes missions.

The Global Impact Celebration was second to none. Guest speakers Tom Eliff, Billy Kim & Henry Blackaby were all fantastic. I and the other 18 missionary units present for the week were treated royally. In addition to putting together an effective and smooth-running program, Missions Pastors Harold Hancock and Brian Gay, together with their top-notch team of committee members, went out of their way to make each one of us feel welcome, comfortable, and encouraged. It was a huge blessing to be able to connect with so many brothers and sisters in Christ who sincerely took an interest in our ministries, and promised to lift us up in prayer. As a visiting missionary, I was especially blessed to interact on a personal level, and share meals, with new friends such as Dan & Tammy, Jerry, Rex, John & Valerie, Mark & Claire, Tom & Jody, Scott & Suzanne…

Frankly, I am glad that every local congregation in the SBC and the Body of Christ at large is not just like FBC, Montgomery. In order to reach the peoples of the world in which we live, it’s going to take a whole lot of different approaches, and different ways of “doing church.” However, I can truly say I am extremely grateful for FBC, Montgomery, and many more churches like it scattered throughout the SBC. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, FBC Montgomery and Southern Baptists, for your inestimable partnership in the Gospel!