About Rod D. Martin
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by Ronnie Floyd
October 18, 2015
The Southern Baptist Convention is a convention of churches that partner together to reach the world for Christ. As we aspire to this biblical vision of presenting the gospel to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations, we must find a way to increase financial resources to this serious and grand vision.
I am often asked, “Where is the money to accomplish this vision?” In this month of emphasis on the Cooperative Program, I think we must answer this question openly and honestly. As one Southern Baptist, I want to attempt to answer the question, “Where is the money?”
The Money is in the Pockets of God’s People
The most recent research by empty tomb, inc. reveals the following:
- Less than 3% of all Christians tithe, meaning give at least ten percent of their income to their church
- The median annual gift to a church is $200
- In 1968, Americans gave 3.1% of their disposable income; now Americans give 2.2%, which is less than they gave during the Great Depression
- At the current rate of decline, by the year 2050, Americans will give only 1% of their disposable income to the church; if this occurs, a vast number of churches and missions will be forced to close
I find this data somewhat disgusting. It shows the selfishness and narcissistic reality of millions of professing Christians today.
The money to reach our towns, cities, regions, states, nation, and the world is in the pockets of God’s people. We need to repent now and call people back to God with boldness and compassion.
Pastors, Christian leaders, and church leaders must lead the way in giving at least ten percent of their income through their local churches. The professing Christians and members of our churches must also do the same.
This is not an option for us, but it a biblical truth that our Southern Baptist Convention has practiced for years. In the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, we read this in Article XIII on Stewardship: “According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.”
Once again, I want to appeal to pastors to address the importance and necessity of biblical stewardship with your church. Be biblical, bold, and convictional. There is no need to apologize for calling your people to give more. We give because we love Christ, want to walk in obedience to Him, and desire to see our town, city, region, state, nation, and world reached for Christ.
Money is in the Pockets of Our Churches
Each of our churches must evaluate continually what we are doing to partner with our Southern Baptist Convention in reaching the world for Christ. We do this through our gifts through the Cooperative Program. How much a church gives through the Cooperative Program is a church’s decision. Each church is autonomous and we honor their decision.
However, since we are Southern Baptist churches, we also believe in the value of partnership. I believe each church can do more to fund the vision of reaching the world for Christ. What we give through the Cooperative Program is important.
If we devalue the Cooperative Program, then we undermine the financial engine that impacts our work together statewide, nationally, and internationally.
According to the most recent Annual Church Profile, our churches gave over $500 million dollars to causes outside our convention that they categorized as “mission causes.” Therefore, thousands of our churches could give more through our work together as Southern Baptists by a simple reallocation of monies their people are already giving.
Simultaneously, each church can find a way to do more, and determine to give more through our Cooperative Program. If we truly believe our state, our nation, and world needs the gospel, there is no greater way to impact this population of 7.2 billion people. Please go to your church now and ask them to pray and act with all of us to give more now through our Cooperative Program.
The Problem is Not Our Path, But Our Pace
Please understand, while each Christian is under obligation to obey the Scriptures through the giving of the first fruits through their church, each church and each state convention is under the necessity to get the gospel to the entire world. This is not an option, but an act of obedience.
The problem is not our path, but our pace! Our path is set; we want to be a Great Commission people. Yet, our pace needs to accelerate with a deep sense of urgency.
I know each church faces different challenges and circumstances and each state convention is unique with its own opportunities and challenges. This is why my appeal has been continually: Each of us can find a way to do more!
We need to also remember: this is God’s money. It is not our money personally, our church’s money, our state convention’s money, nor our Southern Baptist Convention’s money! It is God’s money! He has entrusted to us His money to use for His purposes for His glory alone!
Yes, we can do more. We can do more together!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, Southern Baptist Convention
— Originally published at RonnieFloyd.com.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
