The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced that that 75 employees would lose their job at their headquaters in Louisville, KY. Read the story here. I know lots of God fearing people in the PCUSA so I don't want any comments about how they have become liberal. There is a group in the PCUSA that is very conservative called PFR. But, one comment hit me hard. It sounded like a microcosm of what is going on in all churches and especially denominations. Read this:

"Presbyterians today do not want to write a check and send that money off for somebody else to make a decision on where it goes or how the mission is done, Presbyterians more and more want to be involved."

Does this sound similar to what those of us in the SBC have been saying recently? I have read criticism about the amount that some churches--especially mega churches have been giving to the Cooperative Program. Maybe they want to make their mission decisions for themselves! Maybe some churches want to be more involved. I think Steve McCoy has a valid point about picking and choosing where to give CP $. He says if we just live out a "missional" life and church it will transform our convention. He is correct. And I believe we need more networking among like minded churches and ministries. For example, our church is going down to New Orleans in a few weeks to help Edgewater Baptist minister to their community. This happened through networking. I did not get contacted by NAMB or any Association to do this. I think the way we minister as Southern Baptists is changing. The internet has changed us. Some may not like it, but it is reality. But I also think we can't just give up on our denomination either. Wade Burleson makes his plea for this point of view. I think we need a balance somewhere inbetween! I would hate to see all resources of the SBC go down the tubes just because we can't get along. Wade said this:

THE issue within the SBC as I see it ---

Unless we stop shrinking the parameters of what it means to be a Southern Baptist, we will end up being a narrow, isolated sect within Christendom and lose our ability to reach the world for Christ.

I think that sums it up best!