By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Louisiana Baptist Convention President Kirk Jones, pastor, Fellowship Church, Prairieville, reminded board members that they need to recommit themselves to principals, practices and patterns that define the model for biblical cooperation.
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 16 and the example of the collection taken up for the saints in Jerusalem, Jones underscored that “we exist for the propagation of the Gospel” both at home and abroad, underlining the need to be intentional and sacrificial in our investment in winning souls.
Moreover, Jones said the biblical model for cooperation is defined by:
— “accountable cooperation” (a group of men delivered the offering to see firsthand the need);
— “humble leadership” (leaders who make themselves available to what God is doing in His Kingdom, and not create a necessity for their leadership);
— “strategic partnership” (planning and communication);
— “personal connection” (not just passing through, but getting together);
— “faith-filled availability” (“when God opens a door … walk through,” and develop a culture that encourages steps of faith);
— “leadership elevation” (respect the skills and abilities of those we’ve asked to take on a task in our Convention); and
— “respectful and cooperative disagreement” (“it’s okay to have some disagreement, it’s not okay to be disagreeable,” disagree “the right way, with the right spirit, with the cooperative heart”).
“Be the voice (of cooperation),” he said. “You’re here because you’re a part of the cooperation. Be the voice of that cooperation, even when you have to be the voice of disagreement, because you’re going to have the spirit to do it good.”
Jones, who is a graduate of Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University), expressed gratitude for the investment Louisiana Baptists made in him throughout the years.
“Twenty-five years from now I hope there’s another Kirk Jones that the convention invested in,” he said. “We’ve inherited one of the greatest mission endeavors of all time. We have an opportunity to see it through, and it’s worth seeing through.”
