 |
|
|
|
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel” (Phil 1:3-4). It is plain to see why Paul treasured their “partnership in the gospel.” The world was radically changed because Christians partnered with other Christians and churches partnered with other churches! The Michigan Baptist General Conference is a partnership of about fifty churches that are being used by God to charge our world. Our mission is to start and strengthen churches that will fulfill Christ’s mission in the communities He calls them to serve. MBGC churches are all different. There are no identical McChurch franchises! But we do share: A Supreme Commission -- To God’s glory and by His power, we want to make disciples, baptize them, and incorporate them into churches where they are taught (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42). Our motto is “making more and better churches that are making more and better disciples.” A Spirit of Cooperation -- Following the pattern of Acts 1:8, we endeavor to make disciples locally (“Jerusalem”), regionally (“Judea and Samaria”), and globally (“the uttermost”). We know that no one church can effectively do all of this, but the book of Acts demonstrates that together we can! A Set of Convictions – We are not doctrinal clones and we recognize that we will differ in some of our biblical interpretations. But when it comes to the fundamentals of the faith, we are one. We believe in the inspiration and authority of the entire Bible and are determined to follow it without compromise. A Sense of Creativity – Paul, defending his practice to shape his methods to the people he was trying to reach, said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (I Cor. 9:22). That is our approach. Our churches will vary in style and personality, as each, under the Lordship of Christ, endeavors to custom-fit their ministries to the communities God has called them to impact. We are conservative in theology but creative in methodology. |