What We Need from IMB President David Platt & What He Needs From Us
August 27, 2014
Earlier today word spread that David Platt was to be the next President of the International Mission Board. Apparently, word was out via social media prior to the trustees vote. Seems like we're good at "Secret Church" but not so good at secret votes.
Nonetheless, the trustees did vote today and the IMB has since publicly announced that Dr. David Platt will be the next President. This announcement has pushed Platt to the top of the trending list on Twitter as people throughout SBC life and evangelicalism are talking about it.
However, it should be noted that Homer Simpson remains on the top of the trending list of Facebook. I'm not sure what this represents or means, but thought I'd share it.
Platt's appointment has been praised by many and yet, some show concern.
This would be the case regardless who was chosen.
I have met Platt once (though I doubt he would remember the meeting) at the Southern Baptist Convention a few years ago. When he first was called to serve as pastor at The Church at Brook Hills, it caught my attention due to the fact a former staff member at my church was serving there at the time. Brook Hills was a church in transition when Platt was called. His personality, style and not to mention, his age, were dramatically different than the previous leadership's.
Encouragement From David Platt
He has family in my community and a few years ago his niece attended one of our local schools where a friend teaches. This teacher was reading one of David's books at the time and had it on her desk when the young girl said "That's my uncle." It wasn't long before I received a gift. David and his wife had sent my wife and I a copy of his book, autographed and a personal note to Tracy, my wife, encouraging her as a pastor's wife.
I'm not sure David and his wife, Heather, will ever truly know what that small gift meant. I thanked them with a note, but it truly was needed at the time and very encouraging.
Radical
Over the years, Platt has become more known through his speaking ministry and his books, Radical, Follow Me and others, as well as Secret Church - an annual gathering that began in his church. He became a voice for a younger generation of pastors. His youthful appearance belies a deep wisdom and walk with the Lord. Though his reformed theological bent causes unease among some, he remains strong in his convictions. Therefore, Baptists and believers, reformed and not, show great respect and honor for Platt and his love of God and His Gospel. There is no doubt that he is a man of God with a deep heart for the lost.
It was over a year ago I heard someone say "David Platt should be the next President of the IMB." When I heard it, I laughed it off, thinking that was so far outside the realm of possibility, it would never happen.
Then today's announcement came.
What We Need from David Platt
Stepping into a denominational role such as this is a daunting task. David is only 36 years old and the organization is much older, with many overt and covert rules and expectations, I'm sure.
As a pastor of an SBC church, this is what we need from President Platt:
- Clarity. A strong voice for the work of global missions.
- Effectiveness. Keep us focused on reaching the unreached, unengaged. Help ensure we work to lead nationals to lead local churches.
- Funding. This is perhaps the biggest challenge. The best "crowd-sourcing" for missions in our history is the Cooperative Program. Whether CP remains under that name or not, the effectiveness of serving together for the sake of the Gospel is evident. Churches aren't giving to CP as they used to do. Lead out to ensure that the funding needed remains. . . and grows. Personally, I believe in the Cooperative Program, so I'd suggest starting there.
- Connectedness. Speak to pastors, as a pastor. I do not know any pastors in the SBC who wish to see missionaries come home from the field or be defunded. However, I do know many who are living daily under financial pressure and who may be working with old models that no longer suffice. As you have done for me, encourage pastors. . .as a pastor, as one who understands and help create handles for the pastors to grab hold of as they lead their churches to engage the lost globally.
- Efficiency. I don't pretend to know what this entails, but we all know that over time, organizations drift toward bureaucy. People matter. That is a given. However, the funds given to international missions by local churches (and little old ladies gathering in WMU circles) are expected to be used to further the Kingdom of God and engage the world. We understand that funds are needed to keep things in Richmond working, but do your best to ensure that we are good stewards of all that is given. (Please note - I am not saying that previous leadership did anything other than that. It's just a statement of what is needed today, and every day from leadership.)
- Focus. There are many areas globally where our missionaries are serving. Some are able to serve openly. Others have to be more covert. There are men and women committed to the Gospel and God's mission of reaching the world. Some are in areas where the fields are ripe. Others are serving in post-Christian areas where the work is tedious and for those seeking immediate gratification and high numbers of salvations regularly, often are overlooked. Stay focused on the big picture, but seek to keep missionaries where they are called, to the people where relationships are formed and being formed. Do not forsake the "post-Christian" areas (i.e. Europe) for the sake of others. We need work in all areas. Though we've never seen a resurgence of revival in post-Christian cultures, we are seeing sparks of a fire. Let's not forsake any.
- Integrity. The President, the IMB staff, and missionaries throughout the world are to be men and women of integrity. Holy. Set apart. Again, I do not post this as a response to something done wrongly in the past. This is just a reminder that "so goes the shepherd, so go the sheep." Be above reproach in all areas. I believe the Enemy seeks to take out pastors, especially those with great influence. David has experienced this, I'm sure, and now in this new position, the attacks will undoubtedly increase. That leads to the next section.
What David Needs From Us
Whether or not a Southern Baptist approves of Platt's selection as President of the IMB is now irrelevant. He is our President. I, for one, am glad that he is.
Beyond tweets and postings and news updates, there are a number of things David Platt needs from us as Southern Baptists, and me as a brother in Christ:
- Prayer. This is not a passive option, but active. David, Heather and their children, need our prayers. We are commanded to pray for our leaders in the nation, but I believe we must also pray for those who serve in denominational leadership. This man of God and his family have been in the Enemy's cross-hairs for years, and that has just intensified today. The members of a local church can be demanding and unforgiving. It takes a toll on a family. How much more will the pressures inherant to this new role be upon the Platts. Pray for David and Heather's marriage to remain strong. Pray for their children to be strong and eventually dangerous Christ-followers.
- Encouragment. When I received a note and a book from David years ago, it was like a balm of encouragement during a challenging time. I'm sure he receives many notes, messages and gifts, but rest assured, they are powerful and meaningful. For those with the opportunity to meet and speak with David, encourage him. For those who will not get that opportunity, send a note of encouragement to him via the IMB. Be a "Barnabas." Don't presume someone else will.
- Openness. There's no doubt Platt will make some decisions and lead the IMB into areas that others may question. There may be some new opportunities revealed that will help engage the world even better. Be open to new ideas and opportunities. Not everything new will work. Not everything new is good, but the opportunity to try new things as God reveals them should be given to Platt and his team of leaders.
- Celebration. Have you noticed how many people under 40 are tweeting and retweeting this announcement? It's an amazing thing that best not be ignored. While the attendance at the annual SBC is getting older and greyer, the vast crowd that has been attending NAMB's Send North America events is young. David Platt comes from this demographic. He has been used by God and will be used by God to reach and connect with a generation that has often been ignored, simply out of not knowing how to connect. Celebrate that God is revitalizing the church in North America and the world. For those like me who are realizing that being the "young pastor" in town is now a designation for someone else, this is encouraging.
- Accountability. Platt needs accountability, just like every pastor, every Christ-follower, needs accountability. Some will be used by God to lovingly keep David accountable. The key word there is "lovingly." That means, not thorugh a blog, such as this, or with negative undertones, but in love, being effective as a friend and brother. Encouragement and accountability are related closely.
- Financial Support. Churches must not cut CP or Lottie Moon giving simply because they do not (or their pastors do not) approve of the vote for David Platt. Some may actually start giving more due to his selection. I understand that. Regardless, the IMB (and NAMB, too) need financial support from Southern Baptists to continue to do the Kingdom work they have been tasked. Give generously, not because or in spite of who is president, but for the global work we are cooperatively doing for the Kingdom.
One More Thing
We should pray for our sister church, The Church at Brook Hills. While they are no doubt excited that David Platt is going to be leading the International Misison Board, they will be going through the tedious and long process of seeking God's will for the next man to lead them as pastor.