CO-CHAIR THOUGHTS FROM PHIL LINEBERGER
New Excitement Building

There seems to be a new excitement building among traditional Texas Baptists. The State Convention meeting in Amarillo in October gives us an opportunity to move missions and evangelism back to center stage by providing every church a way to be involved. The gospel of Jesus Christ has not changed. The nature of man has not changed. The need to intersect the gospel of Christ with the nature of man has not changed. The channels for sharing that gospel must always change for the better. Texas Baptists have responded boldly throughout their history to provide the very best channels for gospel proclamation. Texas Baptists have worked diligently to involve as many people as possible in those channels. Amarillo is another step up and forward for Texas Baptists.

The Cooperative Missions Giving Study Committee report is consistent with scripture which calls for every person to examine his or her heart and give accordingly. The Cooperative Missions Giving Study Committee report is consistent with Texas Baptists historic principles and practices of autonomy, and yet is a move toward more participation in giving for missions and evangelism.

Let’s put our excitement into practice by going to Amarillo to affirm the Cooperative Missions Giving Study Committee report. We must vote to stay grounded in the gospel along with our historic doctrines and practices while moving forward to a future focused on God’s leadership, the involvement of all Texas Baptists, and the challenge of our own vast mission field.

September 1994