Dr. Ronnie Floyd

Baptist Press is reporting that Great Commission Task Force Chairman Ronnie Floyd said he is both encouraged and burdened following the initial meeting of the committee in Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s a good sign as the group begins its work because it implies that everyone understands that the issues are complex and will be challenging but that they are also confident in the knowledge that God is in control. As the committee allows Him to lead, they will be able to set aside the many competing preconceived ideas about what the outcome of their work should be and truly focus on learning and discerning God’s will.

We all need to continue to pray for this body as the committee members research, study, listen, pray and discuss in the months ahead. The committee’s next meeting will be Aug. 26-27 in Rogers, Ark. This meeting will have a public component during which the Task Force members will hear from Southern Baptists who want to share their thoughts. Dr. Floyd is also encouraging Baptists to write and e-mail the committee members with their ideas.

Here’s the story about the first meeting:

ATLANTA (BP)–The first meeting of the task force charged with helping spark a “Great Commission resurgence” among Southern Baptists held its first meeting Aug. 11-12 in Atlanta, and chairman Ronnie Floyd came away feeling both encouraged by the spirit of the gathering and burdened by the enormity of the challenge before them.

Floyd opened a noontime press conference immediately following the close of the Aug. 12 session by reading a prepared statement.

“We began with an extended period of prayer, then immediately got busy with the job that Southern Baptists had assigned to us,” Floyd said. “We talked to each other. We talked seriously. Honest talk. But we were able to do that within a context of Christian kindness and friendship. I am thankful that we are already talking about these issues and looking at big questions. This is how I hoped we would begin.”

Click here to read the full story.