As we approach the Texas Baptists Annual Meeting, Nov. 16-18 in Abilene, TX, we are anticipating the opportunity to explore our theme: “Live Out GC2: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.” We hope to unpack this in our plenary sessions and in our breakouts.

Jesus, our Master and Lord, has given us both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The Great Commandment calls us to love God with our entire being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Great Commission is a very practical and strategic way of obeying the Great Commandment: making disciples of all nations.

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article in the “Voices” section of The Baptist Standard titled “GC2 Reimagined.” I mentioned that I would elaborate more on it in my weekly updates as well. My intention is to share excerpts from that article with further explanations.

Because the GC2 focus has existed and evolved over the past ten years, there has been some confusion about what it is. I am thankful for pastors and others who have written or called asking questions and seeking clarification.

One of my primary objectives since I became the executive director has been to provide clarity. It has been said, “clarity is kindness,” and I agree. At the same time, I want to acknowledge that we have engaged in a process where we are seeking the Lord’s direction for the future, and the truth is, we have not figured everything out yet. So, we are sharing as we are discovering.

In preparation for the Annual Meeting, I would like to address some of the questions we have received. We’ll start with one in this update and address others in subsequent ones.

How is the current GC2 Strong initiative different from previous GC2 emphases?

We are seeking fresh direction as we build on the same biblical principles. Christ has given us the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. These become timeless constants to us. When it is all said and done, this is what we will be accountable for.

When GC2 was first conceptualized by former leadership, there was a desire to celebrate the comprehensive ministry of our convention. The work of affiliated churches and affiliated and related institutions shows love in practical ways while also sharing Christ and making disciples.

In addition to the approximately 5,300 churches that have affiliated with us, we relate to about 30 institutions and ministry partners. Some of these are “affiliated.” Others are “related.” Unpacking how we relate to them is an important subject for another occasion.

The institutions and ministry partners include ten colleges and universities, four seminaries, two other educational institutions, nine human care institutions, two financial services organizations and ministry partners such as WMU of Texas, Texans on Mission, Denison Ministries, the Baptist World Alliance and others.

No other state convention has these many institutions and ministry partners, if any. They are a significant part of our budget and our commitment to love God, to love people and to make disciples.

GC2 also provided a way to relate to churches beyond Texas. While the intention was not to pursue an “expansion,” it recognized the churches that desired to cooperate with the BGCT.

The current GC2 Strong initiative seeks to serve all affiliated churches. We are seeking to strengthen a multiplying movement of churches that live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in Texas and beyond.

The problem we want to address is lostness. Over half of the population in Texas does not know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Texas is more ethnically diverse than ever before. A great number of our churches are declining, and some are closing their doors. Yet more people need Christ!

In other words, our focus is serving local churches, most of which are in Texas. We believe that if we have strong churches, strong ministers and strong mission partnerships, empowered by God’s Spirit, we can address the lostness in Texas and beyond. While our current organization addresses these three areas of focus, our new GC2 Strong strategy seeks to further align the entire organization around them.

At the end of the day, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission belong to every believer and to the local church. The convention and its related institutions should only act as an extension of the local church.

While our influence and network beyond Texas is important, we recognize that we can only be a blessing to North America and the rest of the world when our churches in Texas are strong. So GC2 reimagined means we strengthen at home so that we can be a blessing beyond.