The Story

Over one year ago, my Mom, Elva Floyd, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Today, she is 83 years of age and those who are medical professionals believe she is just days away from death. The change from last week when I was with her in Houston’s M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital to yesterday in her home was very dramatic. She had just returned via ambulance from Houston less than 24 hours before and her care was turned over to Hospice and our family for her final days. A hospital bed has been set up in the home, placed in the living room so family and friends can be with her.

The Fight

Prior to getting leukemia, Mom had fought at least a year with a pre-leukemia condition, even taking chemotherapy treatments that would hopefully deter the looming leukemia diagnosis. Then, when this condition crossed over into full-blown leukemia, she was placed on another chemotherapy regimen. Upon being on this regimen without any success, she was given an experimental chemotherapy regimen, which also resulted in little success at all. Then, the conversation we knew would occur happened: “Mrs. Floyd, we would like to offer you one more experimental chemotherapy regimen and if it does not retard the cancer, then this is all we can do to help you.” We agreed and went for it. Mom was in the fight. Yet, those 16 pills a day after two weeks had to stop because of infection and virus that had attacked her body which now has little to no immunity at all. Then, the final conversation happened last Friday night: “We have done all we can for you. We will try to get you healthy enough to get you home and turn you over to Hospice Care.” When our family asked, “How long?” the response was, “Weeks.” Before she left on Tuesday afternoon from Houston, these weeks seem to lessen greatly.

Thoughts

Yesterday we spent the day with Mom and family. I just want to give you a few thoughts from the bedside of a leukemia patient that is moments away from death.

Cancer is a brutal disease

This was one of the summary statements of my son, Nick. My Mom who was a beautiful woman earlier in life and was gracing with beauty in her elder age, looks completely different. Her beauty is in her inner person who has walked with God for years, but her outer beauty has been diminished by this brutal disease. She has no hair. Her skin color is darkening. Her arms and legs are blotchy. She is skin and bones and barely can turn any direction at all in the bed. She is helpless physically, except for her extraordinary restlessness. She can barely speak in a whisper, moans regularly saying she is in pain all over, and is mentally in and out, even though yesterday she was “in with us” probably at least 80% of the time.

Hospice care is amazing

As a pastor I have known it and watched it, but today I really know it. They walked in with caring expertise, filled with sensitivity. I picked up and read a brief booklet on dying they had left with our family. We had seen my Mom walk through all of those stages and now are seeing the final moments. I felt as if I was reading the Bible talking about the last days and then watching them occur before my eyes. The value of hospice care will increase in this journey.

Care-givers are critical

How can I ever repay the love and care my sister, Linda, and my brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Delores, have given to Mom? They live there in the small town of Yoakum, Texas, and have cared for Mom daily since Dad died suddenly six years ago this coming November. Linda moved in with Mom and Dad a year before Dad died. Yes, God knows all and takes care of us. How can I ever repay the love and care of close friends, a Baptist deacon and wife, James and Judy Leist? They have cared for Mom and Linda for a long time. They live right behind them, mow their lawn frequently, especially over this past year, and have insured Mom’s flower beds were re-done and perfect upon Mom’s arrival from Houston. Yes, care-givers are critical, even caring in the smallest of details.

Touch is necessary

For hours yesterday, I held my Mom’s hand or touched her shoulder, even reaching down to hug her which is no small ordeal. She seems so brittle and helpless, yet able to move her hands and arms. She wants human touch. She knows we are in the fight with her.

Talking is special

We talked to her continually. Her responses would be very limited, usually with a whisper, but she understands and can respond. She can say, “I love you.” Our words were mostly encouraging, informing her of family, showing her pictures (She did smile a little when she saw a funny picture of our youngest grandchild Jack) and of course filling her ears with thank-you’s, support, and love.

Worship is important

I returned to Mom’s bedside just steps away while the family was completing lunch. As I sat there a minute I felt as if God was saying to me: “Get your iPad, pull up Pandora music, and enter various hymns to play for her.” That is exactly what I did. For the next hour or so, I did this and Mom and I worshipped together. I heard her humming and even singing various words in a whisper. Tears filled her eyes as I played these old great hymns of the faith. Family saw her, joined us and we were all moved, as God walked in the room.

Prayer is critical

Before we departed, I prayed over Mom. We all stood beside her bed and interceded for her, releasing her to Jesus, asking God to fill her with His sweet peace. I asked God to send His angels to her and carry her home to the Father when her moment is up.

Final words are timely

Only God knows when He will call my Mom home, but as I watched and heard Nick and Meredith, Josh and Kate, and then Jeana give Mom some of those final words, they were timely. They were special. They were emotional. Then I gave her my final words filled with love and thanks, releasing her to go to heaven even then, and assuring her God is with her, of which she knows and senses. I kissed her on her head for each member of my family with a “love you” from each, even from our two grandchildren God is preparing to give us from Ethiopia sometime in 2012.

Christians do not say “good-bye”, but “see you later”

For at least three months, as I talked to Mom daily and saw her some, I stopped telling her good-bye, but see you later. It took discipline from me, but it is the truth. I told her yesterday I had been doing that. I believe she understood. Her final words yesterday to me were, “I Love You” and my final words as they have been for at least three months were, “Mom, I love you and I will see you later.”

If God brings Mom to your mind, pray for her. She is nearing going home to heaven. May the presence of God fill that house, the peace of God fill her life, and the angels of God usher her home into the presence of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Lord over death.

The last two days I have been sharing with you my thoughts about the potential name change of the Southern Baptist Convention. In my first post I addressed the question of whether or not a name change will further our missional vision.

In my second post I pointed to the issue of whether or not a name change will bring clarity about who we are and what we are doing around the world. Today I want to propose a third question that I think is vitally important for the task force to answer in their study.

Question #3: Will Southern Baptists support a name change?

Based off of what is perceived, perhaps some have already made up their minds. I plead with you, do not do that. God is able to move sovereignly through our convention processes and reveal to us His will.

In time, legalities probably can be overcome. Through due diligence by this study committee, a conclusion can be reached that is best for Southern Baptists. I, for one Southern Baptist, will support the decision of the study committee.

If they come back and tell us that we just cannot change our name at this time due to history, legalities, or whatever else, then it is fine with me. If they recommend a name change, then I will embrace their recommendation. My trust is not in people, but in the power of God that works within and through them.

While a small group of godly men and women have been selected to conduct this study, there are things each of us can be doing as well. I appeal to you in these specific areas:

• Be optimistic: There is nothing wrong with a due diligence study. Let the process occur. Choose against negativity.
• Accept the task force: These people did not beg for this task, but were asked by our President to study it. There is no secret plan or plot by anyone. These are godly people who do not deserve anyone to question their motives.
• Support them: Encourage these men and women, as well as our President. Anyone can criticize or be cynical. However, we are not some secular organization full of secular people. We are His church   filled with people that have trusted in the Lord Jesus alone for our salvation. Remember that we are His people filled with the Holy Spirit and should demonstrate the fruit of His Spirit at all times and in every situation.
• Understand the Issue: The issue being studied is over “name change,” not over whether we need revival or a new heart. All of us know our number one need is spiritual revival. However, if God grants this it will not negate the practical problems due to our name that will be encountered in various places outside of the South. The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, one of our great SBC leaders, used to say, “You cannot spiritualize management problems.” We need to remember this in life, ministry, and even in our convention deliberations.
• Trust the Lord: Pray for them and this process daily. It will be a grueling and gut-wrenching experience for them. They need to know we are behind them in prayer, trusting the Lord to use them to show us His will.

We can do all of these things. In this special moment of time, let’s stand up and be His people together. I am trusting in the Lord alone.

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd
Author of newly released book, Our Last Great Hope

In yesterday’s post I began introducing my thoughts on the announcement that SBC President, Bryant Wright, appointed a task force to seriously study the possibility of a name change to our convention.

In this series of blog posts I am challenging my fellow Southern Baptists to pause for a moment to consider the really important questions that need to be answered in this study. The first question was whether or not a name change will help us further our missional vision. Here is the second question.

Question #2: Will a name change bring clarity about who we are and what we are doing across the world?

This is also a very important question that has to be answered honestly and forthrightly. This convention is very complex and is in need of clarity. How can you bring clarity in a convention that is comprised of 45,000 plus churches, 12 SBC national entities, 42 unique state conventions and 1,200 unique associations?

Without a strong missional vision that receives our upmost priority and a name that reflects who we are and the vision of who we want to become, clarity will be impossible to achieve.

As a convention of churches, our missional vision is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.

Does our name “Southern Baptist Convention” represent properly who we are presently? Yes or no? You have to decide that personally, but this study committee has to answer this difficult question.

I believe any one of us that answers this question seriously and objectively has to admit that we are no longer just a “Southern” Baptist Convention regionally. We are all over America and the world. While our present name represents so many wonderful and great things in this world and has served our past well, is it the best name that represents who we are today and who we want to become in the future?

I think the only debate that will be on the table will be regarding the words, “Southern” and “Convention”. But mainly the word, “Southern”. Why? It is simple and stated already: we are no longer just a convention of churches that are located regionally.

As a Great Commission people, we are not backing up in history, but forging new paths penetrating and pushing back on the extreme lostness of our nation and world. This I know we can agree upon.

Whether it is in New York City or Los Angeles or Great Falls or Tallahassee or Birmingham or Austin, or even in Tokyo or Jerusalem or London or Mumbai or Beijing, it needs to be clear about who we are and what we are doing across the world.

Yes, a serious study about a name change is needed. This is another reason why I encourage pastors and church leaders to read Our Last Great Hope. It will reshape their conversations with a greater emphasis on the church’s missional vision. It will help the reader answer these questions personally as well as in their church.

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd
Author of newly released book, Our Last Great Hope

In these significant days that God is permitting us to live, I believe it is appropriate for Southern Baptists to seriously study the possibility of changing our name. The recommendations that our convention adopted overwhelmingly in 2010 relating to the Great Commission Resurgence helped refocus us on our mission and re-establish our vision for the future.

The subsequent convention meeting in 2011 adopted with little to any debate at all, the recommendations that were necessary to implement organizationally what was needed to set the stage for us to move into this Great Commission Resurgence. These are unprecedented days in our convention’s history.

While serving as Chairman for one year of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force, we did have a few recommendations presented to us about changing the name of our convention.

While we did discuss the possibility and felt the study needed to be done, we concluded that it was beyond our purview and would possibly sidetrack us from our number one assignment: To bring to the SBC meeting in 2010, recommendations that would move us to fulfilling the Great Commission together in a more effective way. However, now is the right time for this name change study to occur.

Over the next several posts I am going to discuss what I believe to be the critical issues the study committee needs to address. The question, “Should The Southern Baptist Convention Change Its Name?” can only be answered after giving serious thought to three important questions. For now we will look at the first one.

Question #1: Will a name change help us further our missional vision?

One of the recommendations we made to the convention in 2010 contained a newly defined missional vision. This recommendation was highly appreciated by most, if not all, of our messengers.

Therefore, we adopted the following statement to guide us from now on: “As a convention of churches, our missional vision is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.”

This missional vision needs to be lifted up highly in all we do as a convention. It needs to drive everything we do. It is the vision that will unite us.

Therefore, we have ask ourselves seriously, “Will a name change help us further our missional vision?” Unquestionably, each Christ-follower has to take this missional vision seriously and own it personally.

Yet, in the larger context of our convention we need to ask if a name change will help us further our missional vision in the work we do together as churches regarding the Great Commission. A serious study will answer this question.

There are two other fundamentally important questions that need to be asked before we can offer an informed opinion about a potential name change of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the next couple of posts I will share with you my thoughts on each of them. Stay tuned.

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd
Author of newly released book, Our Last Great Hope

Through the course of their training young pastors will learn many things about preparing for a Sunday morning sermon. They may learn in seminary how to read the original languages and exegete the passage. They are taught homiletical devices to become better speakers. All of these are helpful but as wisdom grows through the years, they find that prayer is the key to Great Commission focused preaching.

This post is intended to help the young pastor or small group leader develop their practice before they preach. There are four words for you to remember:

• Rest: Your Sunday morning tradition actually begins on Saturday evening. Get yourself in a restful mode. This doesn’t necessarily mean go to bed early. Just do whatever you do to get relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep. Spend time in prayer over your message before going to sleep.

• Rise: Rise early. I rise at 3 a.m. so I can have personal time with God. Many young pastors rush their morning preparations. Resist that temptation and allow yourself ample time to pray, journal, and master the message without feeling hurried. It’s also a good idea to exercise and get your energy level up and your blood pumping. Many pastors underestimate the importance of maintaining their physical health.

• Arrive: Arrive at your church early where you can once again spend an hour or so completely alone. Go over your message one last time. Get on your knees and fully surrender yourself and the message to God.

• Humble: Humble yourself and have other men pray over you. Every Sunday morning just before the service begins I have the privilege of having a group of men in our church pray over me. Being surrounded by such great men of faith to be prayed for is a humbling experience for which I am very grateful .

I call Sunday mornings before worship the “Situation Room” because it is when pastors seek their final marching orders before going into spiritual battle. That is why prayer is the central theme running throughout these four words of advice. The Great Commission is most evident in a pastor’s sermon when he has been fully committed to praying for all nations.

I describe my personal Sunday morning process at the end of the first chapter in my book.

Like many pastors I have a number of items in my office from around the world. As I look at them I am reminded of the country from where they originated and the people of that location.

This leads me to pray for different people groups from around the world every week before preaching. In the hours leading up to my sermon my mind is focused on fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

How do you spend your time on Sunday mornings? What do you think about before preaching?

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

One of the major challenges that prevent many churches from being Great Commission churches can be summarized in a single word: insecurity. It eliminates opportunities for evangelism, it creates conflict in the church, and I’ve even seen it ruin ministries. Here are some helpful tips for identifying the signs of and solutions to insecurity.

Signs of Insecurity

• Competitiveness– One of the biggest problems insecurity carries with it is overt competition. Churches try to “out-do” one another. Pastors find themselves competing with other pastors.
  Solution: Remember that as a Christ-follower your only competition is the world, the flesh, and the devil; not other pastors or churches.

• Combativeness – I have seen many pastors or other church leaders ruin their ministry by the incessant need to have their way all the time. In one of my previous books, Ten Things Every Minister Needs to Know I talk about this issue in more detail.
  Solution: Recognize that not every hill is worth dying on. Sometimes the best, most Christ-like way is to humble yourself and see that the best idea is not always your own.

• Complaining– Some of the whiniest people I know are ministers. It also happens that pastors are some of the most insecure people I know. The two often go together. Complaining is a serious obstacle for many ministers of the gospel.
  Solution: Return to the reason you are in ministry. Church leadership roles are often very hard. When all the bad stuff starts coming your way instead of complaining about it keep your heart in the Word of God and keep your eyes on Jesus and the lost-ness of the world.

We don’t have time to play games and be insecure. We are not competing against the pastor across town. We are not entitled to getting everything our way because we’re in a church leadership role. Insecure pastors create insecure churches. Insecure churches are ineffective churches.

So let’s set aside the competiveness, combativeness, and complaining and focus on taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and making disciples of all nations.

Our Savior’s command to go and make disciples is prefaced by the statement, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” and is followed by “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18, 20). Because we live in and with the authority of the Great Commission there is no need for insecurity.

Knowing that the One who has all authority is with you, how are you fulfilling the Great Commission in your life right now?

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

Most of us spend some part of our mornings standing in front of a mirror. Whether it’s to fix your hair and apply makeup or shave and tie your necktie, we all take the time to look at ourselves in the mirror to prepare for the day.

We do all sorts of things to get ready for the physical day and in the same way we prepare for the spiritual day by spending time in the Bible. The mirror shows us our reflection, even the imperfections and bits of ourselves we may not want to see. Similarly, the Bible reveals who we really are with harsh precision. God’s word provides a reality check that shows us how fallen and helpless we are without Christ. It shows us the imperfections and things we need to change.

Recognizing our dependency on Jesus Christ is the first step toward a life centered around the Great Commission. Telling the world about Jesus and making disciples of all nations is a challenge beyond the scope of any fallen human being. That’s why the last sentence of the Great Commission is so important. Jesus said, ‘And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

Seeing our utter dependence on Christ and knowing He is always with us is the first step towards fulfilling the Great Commission. This is a reminder we need every day, just the same as we need a physical mirror every day.

Let’s push the analogy a little bit further. The type of day we are planning on having will determine how much time we spend in front of the mirror doesn’t it? If you have an important meeting you may spend a little extra time making sure you look as sharp as possible. If you have a date you may spend a few extra minutes making sure every hair is in its right place. The principle is this: the more important the day, the more time we spend preparing for it.

Every day when you go into the workplace or some other social setting there will be numerous opportunities to win someone to Christ. What could be more important than that?

So let this illustration be an encouragement to you that there is nothing more important on your schedule than the opportunities you will have to carry out the Great Commission. Every day is an important day! Prepare for each one well by spending extra time with God in His Word and in communication with Him each morning. This daily practice that I have done for decades has been the source of all spiritual power and the secret of all success.

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

When we talk about investing we usually are talking about ways to utilize our financial resources. We invest in stocks or bonds, precious metals, real estate, the list could go on. Investing is a wise idea because it allows us to be good stewards of the money the Lord has given to us.

Sound financial investing is a biblical idea and so is the wise investment of your time. In fact, time is the most valuable resource we have. Many are consumed with sports, Hollywood, the internet, or any number of things. I understand the lure of all of these but as a Christ-follower I want the things I invest my time in to outlast me. This means investing in people and seeing the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Spend your time telling everyone in the world about Jesus and making disciples of all nations.

We must remember that it is impossible to separate “tell the world about Jesus” and “make disciples of all nations.” The two concepts go hand-in-hand. Our task is not only to tell everyone about Jesus but to invest in the lives of others in order to make disciples.

To this end I have developed my personal mission statement. I want to influence and invest in others to win the world to Christ. While you do not need the exact wording, let me challenge you to make the idea behind this part of your personal mission statement. The Great Commission is far bigger than any individual. Each of us can influence and invest in others who will be able to do more for the Kingdom than we ever could individually.

When we make financial investments we expect our money to grow. Why should we treat our time any differently? When you invest in others you are preparing them to do the same. Teaching people about Jesus will lead to mature disciples who, in turn, make new disciples. The concept of multiplying disciples is at the heart of the Great Commission. Invest in the lives of others, who invest in others, who invest in others until we have made disciples of all nations.

Who are you investing your time in, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:20)? Who could you influence to make a difference for the Kingdom? Whose name just popped into your head? Is it the new couple in your small group at church? Is it that young Christian you work with? Maybe your next door neighbor? Or a new acquaintance you met at a recent social event? Investing in the Great Commission means committing time to that person and helping him or her become a mature Christ-follower who will then invest in others. Doing this will yield an eternal return. Now that’s investing in what will outlive you!

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

We are all familiar with the term “refund policy.” If you buy an item from a retail store and decide you don’t want it, you can return it within a certain period of time to get your money back. No harm, no foul. We also are familiar with the phrase, “all sales final.” This means once you buy the item there is no going back. We have spent that money and it is gone forever.

Let me encourage you to view your time in this second way. Time is a currency that must be spent and has no return policy. Whether we realize it or not we spend that currency on every moment that passes. In fact, choosing not to spend is itself a way of spending it. So the question is, what are you spending it on? Ultimately, we can only buy one of two things: Trash or Treasure. Trash fades away. Treasure lasts forever.

That’s why I challenge every Christ-follower to give your precious resource of time to that which is eternal. Jesus’ final words before ascending into heaven give us a clear standard for how we are to spend our time. His command is simple, “Go.” His instructions are clear, “make disciples of all nations.” Every follower of Jesus Christ can and should be active in carrying out the Great Commission. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are or what your profession is you can give your time to God and He will make it treasured.

Here are some ideas to help you become a more treasure oriented Christ-follower that has the Great Commission as the central focus of your life:

1. Make the Great Commission top priority in all your decision-making.
• Whether it’s a decision about your career, a relationship, or something relatively minor consider how each decision will help you in the Great Commission. Be so intentional about taking Christ to the world and making disciples of all nations that it affects every decision you make.

2. Continually assess your circumstance to find the treasure opportunities.
• Evaluate every situation you find yourself in. Constantly ask yourself, “How can I most effectively share Christ and make disciples right now?” I promise you, the opportunities are there. Just ask God to show them to you.

3. Find ways to use your unique gift set to fulfill the Great Commission.
• Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” There is so much to be done for the kingdom of heaven and each of us has a special role. God has blessed you with a unique gift set unlike anyone else’s. Discover what you are good at and find creative ways to use those gifts to help fulfill the Great Commission.

Researchers estimate there are 3 human beings born every second. That means 180 people come into this world every minute. Two-thirds of them will have no realistic chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. These staggering numbers tell us that today alone there will be more than 170,000 people added to earth’s population who are likely to never hear the message of the gospel.

The Great Commission really is a simple concept: Tell every person in the world about Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations. I am committed to seeing the Great Commission fulfilled. What a day it will be when these horrifying numbers change because the gospel has gone to all ends of the earth and the good news has been shared with every people group! That’s why I was thrilled when Thomas Nelson Publishers asked me to write a book on the Great Commission. Even more exciting was the fact that their desire was not for a book that was theoretical, but for one that was action driven. I wrote this book to help lay people and church leaders understand what it would take to fulfill the Great Commission.

This book can be a game changer for any Christ-follower as well as those in Christian leadership roles. I believe if pastors, staff members, and the top two tiers of a church’s lay leadership team will read it, it will move the Great Commission to the top of our priority list. Our Last Great Hope will reorient our thinking, enrich our vision, and change our conversations. This book would be a strong and highly beneficial investment for any church to make in its leaders and members. If conversation in our churches does not move to the Great Commission, spiritual life, awakening, and vitality will not occur.

What is so Special About ‘Our Last Great Hope’?

This book is unique in that is not about the Great Commission but a book on how to accomplish the Great Commission. Not only does it call people to action, but also gives them specific, practical steps they can take personally, in their families, and in their churches to advance the gospel.

It helps make the Great Commission personal for each and every Christ-follower. It provides helpful instructions on transforming your family, making the Great Commission a central focus in your home.

The book captures the sense of urgency with which all Christ-followers ought to obey the Great Commission. It is likely that in the time it has taken you to read these few short paragraphs more than 200 people have been born who will live their entire lives and never hear the name of Jesus. Now is the time for Christ’s church to mobilize and fulfill the Great Commission. It is our last great hope.

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd