2nd Opinion: Texas Baptists urged to pray May 5_41805

Posted: 4/15/05

2nd Opinion:
Texas Baptists urged to pray May 5

By Albert Reyes

I recently had the privilege of speaking to the fifth annual Ethnic Worker's Summit, hosted by the Ethnic America Network in Irving. This network is comprised of ministers from more than 60 denominations across the United States. I was asked to speak on the subject of collaboration.

I started my presentation by reviewing three major reasons collaboration is needed at this time in our history. First, our context requires it. Given the multiple shifts taking place in our society, no one individual or organization is capable of seizing all the opportunities for the gospel in their context. Second, our constituencies expect it. The people we work with in our churches are business professionals, health-care professionals, educators, engineers and laborers who already practice collaboration in the workplace. Collaboration is not a new topic or practice for them. Third, our collective worldview predisposes us toward collaboration. Non-Western cultures tend to value cooperation more than competition.

So, why is collaboration absent from many places of ministry? What is required for collaboration to be operational in our midst?

Four major ingredients increase the possibility of collaboration–reconciliation, greater vision, confidence and humility. Reconciliation as opposed to alienation tends to increase the possibility of collaboration. Greater vision rather than a small vision leads us to the realization that we need other people, resources, creativity and energy to accomplish what we sense God leading us to do. Confidence in who God has made us to be and a clear understanding of how he has gifted us helps us learn how much we need other people to get kingdom things done. We need confidence rather than arrogance, a false sense of confidence that leads us to believe we do not need other members of the family. Finally, humility rather than pride teaches us we can get more done together when we don't care who gets the credit.

Texas Baptists have learned throughout history that we can do much more together than we can do alone. We have a long history of collaboration in missions and ministry through the Cooperative Program and the Mary Hill Davis Offering. And now we face greater challenges that will require greater collaboration to advance the cause of Christ in our changing world.

Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

One way we can collaborate is through prayer. I am inviting Texas Baptists to pray for missions, pray for our work together, pray that our feet will cross cultures with the gospel and pray that the financial support for our work together will increase. I am inviting Texas Baptists to join me at the south steps of the Texas Capitol in Austin May 5 at 11 a.m. to pray for 30 minutes during the National Day of Prayer. We will pray for Texas, for the Texas Baptist family and for our annual meeting that will be held in November.

If you can join me May 5 in Austin, please contact me by May 1 at (800) 721-1396 extension 207 or areyes@bua.edu in order to anticipate your participation. If you cannot come to Austin, would you be willing to gather Texas Baptists in your church or community to pray with us for 30 minutes that day?

Albert Reyes is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and president of Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio.