The passing of the Great Commission Resurgence Report was undoubtedly the most newsworthy item last week in Orlando. But we can’t overlook another important moment: the election of Bryant Wright as our next SBC president.

Ed Stetzer has written a great article explaining Bryant’s positions and what his leadership might look like in the next year (or two, if re-elected for a second term). Here’s an excerpt.

“Beyond GCR Structural Change / Focused on Spiritual Change” would have been the best way to describe Bryant Wright’s position.  Had he been leading the GCRTF, the changes would have been more radical.  He has called for a dramatic increase in funds going directly to the global field, has led his church to restructure its Cooperative Program funds to contribute directly to IMB projects, and he clearly communicated that the GCRTF report was a start, not the conclusion.

You can read his whole article here. Personally, I am thankful for the diligent labor of Johnny Hunt, and am thrilled to have Bryant as our next president.

Here’s an update from Ronnie Floyd, Chairman of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. It will be very interesting to watch what transpires in the year ahead. Our prayers are no less needed now than they were in the past year.
 
We praise God that the Southern Baptist Convention adopted all seven recommendations of the GCR Task Force in an overwhelming manner.  With a 75-80% vote that affirmed these recommendations, Southern Baptists enter into an aggressive strategy to penetrate the lostness of North America and the world.  The hand of God led us through the challenges of the day that brought us to this defining moment.

God moving in response to the prayers of our faithful prayer partners for the past year is the reason for this incredible response from the Southern Baptist Convention.  The Spirit of God moved greatly among us and He was faithful to lead us through many challenges and over many obstacles.  Without question, the power of God was manifested among us over this past year.  Thanks to each of you for praying for us faithfully.

The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest evangelical denomination in North America and, some say, perhaps the world.  On Tuesday, June 15, this convention of churches experienced a strategic directional turn to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.  What the 1979 Convention was to the conservative resurgence, the 2010 Convention has the potential to be to this Great Commission Resurgence.

The Southern Baptist Convention has issued the final word – they affirmed the GCR recommendations overwhelmingly.  The SBC entities will now begin to implement the will of the convention.  We must pray for them.  The Convention was clear – let’s make the changes as recommended, and we must present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and make disciples of all the nations.   The Holy Spirit of God is our power to see this vision fulfilled. It is time for us to come together in love for the sake of the Gospel.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to the members of the GCR Task Force who sacrificed so much this past year.  They are a great people of God.  I love them and will miss being in contact with them regularly.  I want to thank Dr. Johnny Hunt for his spiritual and futuristic leadership to our Convention and for appointing us to lead this task.  My deepest gratitude goes to my church and to the churches or ministries our Task Force members serve.  You have given much and we are thankful for you.  To my sweetheart and love, Jeana, who sacrificed so much, and to the other members of my family, thank you for your sacrifice.  I love you so much.

Let’s take the challenges in the report and personalize them into our lives, our families, our churches, our state conventions, and our SBC entities.  It starts with me.  It starts with you.  Show your church the GCR five-minute video on a Sunday morning.  It will challenge them.

Thank you again for your prayer support.  I am highly grateful.  Now is the time to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.

Yours for a Great Commission Resurgence,
Ronnie W. Floyd

As you’ve probably heard by now, the Southern Baptist Convention passed the Great Commission Resurgence Report late Tuesday afternoon in Orlando, Florida. Tom Ascol has a good summary of yestserday’s dramatic and historic events. Here’s an excerpt:

I am convinced that the kindness and goodwill of Dr. Hunt and others on the platform ultimately won the day for the report. When the final vote was taken, it was an overwhelming majority that voted to adopt the report. I would estimate at least a 70%-30% margin.

I encourage you to read the whole thing here. And if you’re still trying to figure out what the GCR report is all about, go check it out at Pray4GCR.com 

Tomorrow, I’m going to the HolyLand Experience theme park with my host family. Should be a relaxing day after the past week’s very demanding schedule. I’m bracing myself for the TBN influence. And having spent a semester in Israel, I know a theme park can’t begin to compete. But I expect it will still be a pleasant and hopefully edifying experience.

Related posts:

• What the GCR means for California
• Initial thoughts on the GCR progress report