Voices: Launching GC2 Strong Process Pilot Project

The purpose of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, as stated in its Constitution, reads: “The object of this Convention shall be to awaken and stimulate among the churches the greatest possible activity in evangelism, missions, Christian education and benevolent work and enterprises; to cultivate a closer cooperation among the churches and promote harmony of feeling and concert of action in advancing all the interests of the Redeemer’s Kingdom” (Article II).

Notice the verbs as they relate to the convention and the churches that form it: (1) awaken and stimulate … the greatest possible activity; (2) cultivate a closer cooperation; (3) promote harmony of feeling and concert of action.

The third verb here makes me think of Philippians 2:2, where Paul appeals to his readers to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

My hope is, as we pray, share information, receive feedback, and implement plans, we would move closer to this “harmony of feeling,” so we can experience “concert of action.”

The strategy

This month, we are launching the GC2 Strong Process Pilot Project. It is the result of two and a half years of praying, listening, learning, thinking, and planning. We have arrived at the time of implementation, and I am excited about where the Lord has been leading us.

This strategy began over two years ago with a process we called “Clarifying the Call.” We gathered a group of pastors from various areas of our state, various church sizes, and several cultural groups, along with some staff and BGCT officers. We met, we prayed, we learned, we listened, and we received clarity from the Lord.

The clarity consists of three aspects: (1) our missional theme: strengthening a multiplying movement of churches that live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in Texas and beyond; (2) our values: biblically faithful, gospel-centered, historically rooted, future-thinking, beautifully diverse, servant-hearted, and kingdom-collaborative; and (3) the need to implement a process that helps churches increase their faithfulness to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission—GC2—so we can address the lostness in our state.

We put together the GC2 Strong Strategy process with much prayer and diligence. We also included a diversity of pastors and leaders from across our convention to develop aspects of it, such as the assessment instrument. We have asked various churches and leaders to help us test the assessment. And now, we are ready to launch the pilot project.

The pilot

The pilot project will involve 20 churches from around the state of different sizes, settings, and cultural backgrounds. We are very much aware of the diversity of our state, and we want to make sure we learn from every aspect of our Texas Baptists family. During the pilot project phase, we want to listen, evaluate, and strengthen the process.

The GC2 Strong process is led by Texas Baptists staff members called navigators, who are geographically assigned to every area of our state. The navigator role has replaced the area representative role. As was the case with area representatives, the size of geographical areas is proportionate to the number of churches in those areas.

These navigators will walk alongside churches, pastors, and leaders together to (1) learn about the process and prayerfully consider it, (2) look at their current GC2 practice, and (3) determine the next two or three steps they feel God is leading them to take in Great Commandment, Great Commission faithfulness.

Navigators are not coming in as consultants with all the answers. In fact, consulting is one of six “postures” in which they are being trained. They will walk alongside churches, listen, pray, ask good questions, and help each church discern where God is leading them next.

We are in the process of filling these positions around the state. As of now, these are the navigators: Area 2 (West Texas): John Silva; Area 3 (South Texas): Joe Aguilar; Area 5 (Houston): Steve Quinn; Area 7 (East Texas): Charles Hill; Area 8 (Dallas): Al Curley III.

Area 1 (Panhandle) and Area 4 (San Antonio) have been filled, and names will be released soon. We are still in the search for Area 6 (Central Texas) and Area 9 (Fort Worth).

The GC2 Strong process is designed to be customized to each individual church, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. It is also intended to be a Spirit-led process. While Texas Baptists staff will be trained and ready to assist and walk alongside churches, our desire is for churches to follow God’s direction.

Prayer

I’m thankful for the Prayer Task Force, which met this week, under the leadership of Pastor Ariel Martínez, to pray and to plan ways to increase prayer among Texas Baptists. We are praying for a GC2 awakening. We are praying for a Spirit-led breakthrough in our churches around the state and beyond.

If you have questions, comments, concerns or suggestions, I welcome them. You can email me at [email protected] or call me at 214-828-5230. I am here to serve you.

Julio Guarneri is the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. This opinion article is adapted from his September 4 weekly update.