What’s new at your Southern Baptist International Mission
Board?
Over the past year, the International Mission Board has
turned its world upside down: revitalizing the overseas operations,
renovating the Richmond offices and reorganizing throughout.
Even our name has changed! Meanwhile, the entire denomination
has restructured itself agency by agency! In light of all this
change, a more appropriate question might be What’s not new at
the International Mission Board?
turned its world upside down: revitalizing the overseas operations,
renovating the Richmond offices and reorganizing throughout.
Even our name has changed! Meanwhile, the entire denomination
has restructured itself agency by agency! In light of all this
change, a more appropriate question might be What’s not new at
the International Mission Board?
Newness and change, however, are relative. King Solomon
observed, What has been will be again, what has been done will be done
again, there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl. 1:9). Solomon knew
that every generation is a new beginning, yet the cycle of renewal
returns again and again. No doubt his own kingdom’s reorganization
and building plans left him and his colleagues a little jaded
about change! While it’s true that one can say in the broad scope
of things that nothing is new, it also is important to see through the
eyes of faith that God is doing something new all the time. In
Jeremiah’s words, His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23)!
This paradox is like the waves that break on the seashore.
observed, What has been will be again, what has been done will be done
again, there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl. 1:9). Solomon knew
that every generation is a new beginning, yet the cycle of renewal
returns again and again. No doubt his own kingdom’s reorganization
and building plans left him and his colleagues a little jaded
about change! While it’s true that one can say in the broad scope
of things that nothing is new, it also is important to see through the
eyes of faith that God is doing something new all the time. In
Jeremiah’s words, His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23)!
This paradox is like the waves that break on the seashore.
On the one hand, waves are a routine and regular occurrence—
nothing to get excited about. A wave is a wave is a wave. On the
other hand, every wave is unique and brand new, an awesome
display of God’s power and might and, for some, an opportunity
waiting to be seized!
nothing to get excited about. A wave is a wave is a wave. On the
other hand, every wave is unique and brand new, an awesome
display of God’s power and might and, for some, an opportunity
waiting to be seized!
God has been at work all over the world for ages. There’s
nothing new about this. But today’s work is also unique. It is
filled with new and exciting possibilities. Our challenge is to grab
the wave that is cresting today, to maximize its potential, and to
ride its might as far as He chooses to carry us.
nothing new about this. But today’s work is also unique. It is
filled with new and exciting possibilities. Our challenge is to grab
the wave that is cresting today, to maximize its potential, and to
ride its might as far as He chooses to carry us.
This is why we are reorganizing, revitalizing, retooling and
recommitting ourselves to new directions. It’s not an indictment
of the past, rather it‘s an affirmation of the present and a preparation
for the future. Yesterday’s strategies were once new and
pioneering, too, but yesterday’s strategies can’t keep up with
today’s possibilities. They may be comfortable to us, but they
may not be what is needed today. God’s will and direction for
today’s generation of lost people is already unfolding. Like a new
wave building on the horizon, we can see it beginning to surge
our way. Let’s not miss it!
recommitting ourselves to new directions. It’s not an indictment
of the past, rather it‘s an affirmation of the present and a preparation
for the future. Yesterday’s strategies were once new and
pioneering, too, but yesterday’s strategies can’t keep up with
today’s possibilities. They may be comfortable to us, but they
may not be what is needed today. God’s will and direction for
today’s generation of lost people is already unfolding. Like a new
wave building on the horizon, we can see it beginning to surge
our way. Let’s not miss it!
Alongside Solomon’s views on change is a completely different
perspective from the prophet Habakkuk. Though living
in difficult times, Habakkuk looked ahead to a new day and a
new epoch of remarkable saving activity by God. Look to the
nations, he wrote, watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do
something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were
told (Hab. 1:5).
perspective from the prophet Habakkuk. Though living
in difficult times, Habakkuk looked ahead to a new day and a
new epoch of remarkable saving activity by God. Look to the
nations, he wrote, watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do
something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were
told (Hab. 1:5).
There are four insights we can draw from Habakkuk’s
words. First, his words transcended their historical setting. The
book of Habakkuk is addressing a time of dire crisis. Habakkuk
warned his readers of imminent judgment prompted by their
disobedience. However, in the midst of this coming judgment,
words. First, his words transcended their historical setting. The
book of Habakkuk is addressing a time of dire crisis. Habakkuk
warned his readers of imminent judgment prompted by their
disobedience. However, in the midst of this coming judgment,
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