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| Craig Van Gelder, left, speaks with Jay Robison during a break in the Congregational Leadership Institute at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala. Photo by Bob Perkins Jr. |
Birmingham, Ala – Challenging local congregations to focus on God and His will, instead of tasks and an obligation to serve, was the focus of the Congregational Leadership Institute led by Craig Van Gelder on the opening day of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly.
Van Gelder, professor of congregational mission at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn, and author of "The Essence of the Church," said he has found that Baptists (and other denominations) often struggle with defining themselves by the tasks they feel they should do. "This roots our relationship with God in obligation and obedience versus grace and response.
"I think that Baptists struggle with tasks: their identity is formed around what they do," Van Gelder said. "But when they focus on being led by the Spirit of God, and when they respond to activities out of grace … grace becomes real. It’s a subtle but profound shift to acts in response to his love."
By altering the focus of a church from programs and activities to a more basic understanding that God creates and leads through the Spirit, believers then can be open to the different directions they are being led. "Ministry flows out of what we are," Van Gelder said. "God is the acting subject … He sends people out missionally."
For example, the biblical call in Acts 1:8 to be "witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth," according to Van Gelder, requires that congregations share the gospel with everyone regardless of race or ethnic origin.
"We ought to be on the front edge of diversity," he said. "We are called to be in unity in the midst of diversity. It’s our limitations, in terms of our lack of faith, that is holding us back. The Spirit of God is restless until the gospel crosses the boundaries of a different culture."
Terry Hamrick, CBF coordinator for leadership development, said he is hoping that the institute provided a catalyst for congregations to explore their God-given mission.
"One of our concerns is we’ve confused the church with the kingdom of God," he said. "How we do church in our particular way sometimes is given more attention than what God is teaching us. It’s broader than denominational issues, it’s as broad as God. Craig phrased it very well when he said, ‘How can we be imaginative enough to envision what God’s perspective is on these things.’"
"I’m hoping that attendees will find handles for continual conversations on these matters within their churches," Hamrick said. "I hope they can discover what God is calling us to be and do at this unique place in time."
CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.