On Monday and Tuesday of this week, our Great Commission Resurgence Task Force is meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. This meeting is one of the most critical meetings to this point in our process. We are no longer just gathering the needed information, but we are now making critical decisions. Therefore, we need your prayer support more than ever before.

Our meeting is beginning today at 1:00 p.m. and will conclude on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Last week we had a conference call together. We were ministered to by three great men of God – Henry Blackaby, Avery Willis, and T. W. Hunt. It was our desire to spend some time together listening to testimonies of what God is doing in America and around the world. Additionally, we wanted these men of God to pray for us. Our time together with them was insightful and encouraging.

Our GCR Task Force is praying for our fellow-member, Dr. Frank Page, and his wife, Dayle, in the loss of their 32-year-old daughter, Melissa. We cannot imagine the depths of their loss, but we are grieving with them and praying for them. Please join our task force in praying for them. We commit them to our Sovereign God who is the only One able to sustain them at this time.

Our GCR Task Force is also praying for Dr. Johnny Hunt, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, as he moves towards making decisions regarding his recent diagnosis of having prostate cancer. Dr. Hunt is seeking much medical counsel in the month of December and will probably have surgery in early January. Please pray for him to know God’s will, but ultimately for God to heal him.

Finally, please know we are working very diligently. We are progressing in our process and hopeful that God is going to unite us around a compelling vision for the future. Therefore, I appeal to each of you, please spend some time praying for us in a special way on Monday and Tuesday. Gather others to pray for us. Involve the prayer ministries of your church to pray for us. Our heart is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and make disciples of all the nations. Please pray for us to know and see how God wants us to do this as a convention of churches.

Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd, Chairman
Great Commission Resurgence Task Force of the Southern Baptist Convention

This past Thursday, Beckham Grant Floyd was born into our family as the son of Nick and Meredith. He was 8lbs 7oz and 21 and one-half inches long. He is one big guy, a “little man,” but one great baby. We are so blessed to have this gift from God in our lives.

It is hard to believe that Jeana and I have four grandchildren, age four and down. Wow! Plus we have another child on the way. What an amazing and blessed life. The children add life to our years, and we are just absolutely blessed.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of Beckham. Pray for him to change the world for Jesus Christ.

Detail: an individual feature, fact, or item; item by item, the particulars of something. The handling of details is so important to life, family, business, and future. Usually to the level of insuring the details are cared for is the level of success or progress of someone or something.

I remember hearing one Super Bowl winning coach say, “Championships are in the details.” Without question, he is right. The way we determine to handle the “little things of life” will determine how high we climb or how far we go.

Yes, most would say, “I don’t like details,” and without question, they will wear you out at times. Yet, one cannot escape the reality of life – details have to receive our attention. A simple nod towards them is not enough. They have to be handled, cared for, and valued in your life, family, business, and future. Not paying attention to them does not make them go away. If we ignore them, then be assured, the devil will get in the details.

By no means am I an expert in this field, but these things I know:

Value the details in your life or else your life may lose some value.

The New Testament calls gospel churches to plant gospel churches. The New Testament model found in Acts 11-13 resulted in the gospel being proclaimed, the gospel being received, gospel churches being formed, and qualified spiritual shepherds being appointed to lead them. In Acts 13 when Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the local church at Antioch, they were sent out to proclaim the gospel, gather believers into gospel churches, and then in Acts 14, they appointed spiritual leaders for each congregation. Therefore, we know local gospel churches need to be sending out qualified persons to proclaim the gospel, gathering believers into gospel churches, and appointing qualified spiritual leadership to lead these newly formed gospel churches.

The very nature of a New Testament, gospel-centered church is to plant other gospel churches. Each existing gospel church needs to find a way to multiply itself into creating new gospel churches. While some churches may not feel they have the assets for resources for such a vision, through partnership, a way can be discovered and embraced. I am convinced there is a way for each gospel church to be involved in investing in and planting other gospel churches.

The Apostle Paul understood his role was not just to see people come to Christ, but to plant a gospel church in every city whereby these believers would be discipled into gospel-centered living, be nurtured in their walk, and then sent out to repeat the spiritual cycle. Paul would work his way back to Antioch, his sending church, through his missionary journeys to report all that God was doing in this church planting movement. The result was a major advancement of the gospel. This biblical model can be embraced by every gospel-centered people in the world. Church planting is in the spiritual DNA of every gospel church.

Can you imagine what could happen in America through the Southern Baptist Convention, which has 50,000 plus congregations, IF this biblical model would be embraced and practiced? No longer would we have to hold our heads in shame for the lack of gospel advancement in some of our major cities like Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles, as well as in many under-served regions in North America. We must return to being gospel churches that plant gospel churches. If we desire to see a gospel advance in North America, it will involve gospel churches planting gospel churches. The 250 million plus people that comprise the “darkness of lostness in our nation” can be penetrated when we plant gospel churches that will plant other gospel churches.

Let’s become gospel churches that plant gospel churches.

Jeana gathered our family last night to celebrate my birthday. She did a great job with the meal for everyone and once again brought her “A” game, making me a red velvet cake, which she does annually. My trainer would not approve of my level of food today, but would provide a “release” for a day.

Imagine with me, we have three grandchildren, all under four, plus two on the way. One week from today, Meredith will have her baby boy, and months from now in June, Kate will deliver our fifth grandchild. It is wild already! It may become a jungle, but a fun jungle.

While the children do play together in some harmony, there are moments where territories are declared. Words like “mine,” “no,” and many more accompany moments of crying. Yet, within seconds, they are running and chasing each other, laughing, until the next crisis occurs.

Yes, this is our life now. A little spark at this point in life becomes a joy. What a blessed life we have.

God has blessed me with all of this – a great wife, incredible health, and a special church. Yes, I am a very, very blessed man.

On this Veteran’s Day, it’s important that we don’t forget the men and women throughout history who have sacrificed so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today. Let’s not forget that we are quickly losing “The Greatest Generation.” This group lived through and fought in World War II. It’s absolutely crucial for us to not forget their sacrifice and to thank them while we have the opportunity. Let’s not forget the rich heritage of brave men and women who have helped give us the America we enjoy today.

Also, let’s not forget that we are still in the midst of a War on Terror. Today as we sit in comfort and safety, our men and women are in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting. We must not forget the sacrifice that these and their families are making on a daily basis so that we don’t experience again what happened on 9/11. Let’s not forget to show them our extreme gratitude when we see them in airports, at the mall, or in our church. Men and women throughout history have made sacrifices we will never fully understand. We honor them today. Thank you to all of our veterans and current military who have served and are serving throughout the world to preserve the America and the freedoms that we know.

I am going to Springfield, Illinois, today to preach at the Illinois Baptist Pastors’ Conference. It is always a privilege to minister to men of God who lead our churches in America. My heart is thrilled to have this opportunity.

After I preach at this conference, I will conduct a Great Commission Resurgence Listening Session with interested Illinois Baptists. The purpose of this meeting is to listen to fellow Southern Baptists about how they feel we need to see the Great Commission fulfilled in our generation. If you have friends in Illinois who want to join us, please encourage them. These are great days. God is moving. We have a rare opportunity, and we must seize it all the way.

Please pray for me today. The schedule will be challenging, but the opportunity is great.

Make a difference today!

One of the great blessings of my life is the commitment to study the Word of God. I do not believe I have a greater privilege than when I get to share God’s Word with His people. After hours of study and coming to an understanding personally, it is just really special to be able to have the opportunity to communicate it.

Reflecting on yesterday as I talked with our people about being “Free In Suffering,” I want to revisit the five insights shared from Romans 8:18-27. When we experience any present problems or temporary affliction, this is suffering. We may see them as setbacks, problems, obstacles, and so much more, but can we really sense peace and freedom when we are walking through tough times?

How can I be free and peaceful when I walk in days of suffering? I need to remember these insights because they will lead me to sense freedom in suffering.

1) Everyone and everything experiences suffering. I do not have to feel like “God is picking on me” because He says that even creation suffers, as do all people. Why? The fallen nature of man. The choices of our flesh always lead to sin and death.

2) All suffering is temporary. It is comforting and encouraging to realize that suffering is temporary. There is coming a day when we will not suffer again.

3) Eagerly expect the redemption of my body. When I realize my full “adoption status” into God’s family, I will be free from all suffering in life. When will this happen? When Jesus comes again and He raises all from the dead, my body will be raised from the dead and glorified before Him. Between now and then, I can eagerly expect that one day my full rights and privileges of spiritual adoption will be realized. Gratefully, that day is closer today than yesterday.

4) Greatest suffering is incomparable to the coming glory of God.
Just think, regardless of how great my suffering really is or ever becomes this side of heaven, it is really incomparable to the coming glory of God. One day that glory will consume us and all, I mean all, tribulations, problems, and suffering will fade away.

5) Holy Spirit is with me.
Yes, I am not alone, because He entered my life at conversion. He is the first-fruits of more to come, the down payment of so much more to come. He hurts with me. He prays for me. He is interceding for me to do God’s will. The Holy Spirit is not only with me praying for me, but He is with me in my weaknesses. By His power, I can become strong, even in weakness.

Finally, when I realize the following reality, I am enveloped with God’s peace and freedom. All of us will realize one day what this statement says that was made by Corrie Ten Boom:

“You may never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”

This Sunday morning we will continue the series “We Are Free” with a message entitled “Free in Suffering” from Romans 8:18-27. Without a question, this chapter in Romans is one of the crown jewels of the entire New Testament. I have read through it so many times, have taught it along the way through the years, but each time I work through it, I am amazed at its incredible power and promise. Thank God for His Word and for Romans 8. Please join us on Sunday for this study.

As you look towards this Sunday, consider:

Both of these are so important to your spiritual vitality. Sharing life in Christ with others helps create even more life in you. Sharing life with others in connection groups can make you healthier in every way in your spiritual life. Please make both of these decisions a priority for the rest of your week.

The first-tenth and offerings going to the Lord’s church should always be your goal and your action weekly. Resolving to make Christ first in all things is important, beginning with how you relate to all God has entrusted to you. Walking with Christ should be our priority and one of the priorities of walking with Christ is honoring God with the first-tenth and offerings weekly. Weekly, NOT weakly!

Please come alongside of our splendid Blessing Baskets Ministry this month. This is a simple, yet powerful way to help us feed close to 4,000 families in our region. You have the privilege to join us in this endeavor. Please mark “Reaching Our Mission” on your contribution envelope, knowing that $25 will feed one family.

Come Sunday, ready for God to meet with us!

Dr. J. D. Greear and I conducted a Great Commission Resurgence Listening Session yesterday at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting. The room was packed with standing room only and the interest was high. The attitude was positive and there was a real desire for us to provide a compelling vision.

I realize there are many voices being heard on this subject right now, but I am becoming increasingly convinced that the vast majority of Southern Baptists expect us to present a bold, compelling future vision for the Southern Baptist Convention. The vast majority of our people know we are in desperate condition in America and in the church of America. They also realize that while structure changes may be needed and recommended, the real need above all is for a major move of God to happen in the hearts of each Christ-follower and in our churches.

What an amazing challenge we have before us, but what an exciting possibility. Friends, we must pray and seek the Lord now more than ever before. The time is right, the need is clear, and the desire to see God do a new work among us is growing. God is answering our prayers, so continue to join us in praying.

God is going to fulfill the Great Commission. We have the joy of joining Him in it. He can do it without us and does not need us. Yet, the privilege is humbling and the opportunity is astounding. Let’s join Him in fulfilling the Great Commission.

These are exciting days.