I congratulate Southern Baptists on the election of Dr. Paul Chitwood as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board. Not only is Paul my dear friend, but he is a proven and effective leader, capable of listening to various perspectives and making good decisions. Paul had a great year as President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and he has earned the respect of his fellow trustees and IMB staff during his years on the board. He was appropriately elected by acclamation along with Simon Tsoi as First VP, Mike Smith as Second VP, and Debbie Brunson as secretary.
This meeting concluded my first year as a trustee, but it was easily the most productive and focused so far. Absent some of the drama of the past, we appointed 92 missionaries, conducted the business of the Kingdom, heard encouraging reports from our President, Vice-Presidents, and Chairman. Committees conducted their business, always respectful in disagreement as well as unanimity.
I am excited about Southern Baptist Missions and our mission force. As outgoing chairman John Floyd stated, "Our best days are ahead."
More later.
5 comments:
Time will tell if "Our best days are ahead."
And yet whole teams of missionaries in western europe are leaving because of the actions of Dr. Floyd and the IMB BOT.
David P
David:
I have no knowledge of what you are basing your comment on. It strikes me as one of those remarks that is easy to say because you know of one disgruntled person or perhaps someone told you that someone said something about someone who was disgruntled. I, on the other hand, have just reviewed precise attrition data presented by IMB senior staff and I can assure you that your comment does not jive with the data. Next week I hope to write a piece about IMB missionary attrition that will expose your comment for the disinformation that it is. Whole teams leaving the field? Because of John Floyd and the Trustees? Your comment is more slanderous against the missionaries than against anyone else. I have to believe that people who have forsaken all to follow Jesus would not be dissuaded and abandon their calling over ANY man or group.
More to follow.
Dr. York,
A big, sincere "Thank you!" from an IMB missionary. I know that the job of IMB trustee is hard, time-consuming (in addition to your time-consuming jobs of professor and PASTOR), thankless and often puts you in a position of being attacked. But yet, you continue only for our benefit, the Kingdom's expansion and God's glory. Thank you!
Also, thanks for mentioning Dr. Robert Smith a couple of months ago. I was able to find some sermons online and was blessed by them.
Grace and peace be multiplied to y'all!
Dr. York,
Thanks for your summary of the meeting. It is good that our focus is on mission work. BTW, thanks for your time at the Expositor's conference, you were a blessing.
Jeff Thomas
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