2010 Executive Director's Report of the San Felipe Bapt Assn

Our world is shaped by the constant shifts in demographics, urbanization, technology, politics, economics, and lostness.  As churches adjust to their ever-changing contexts, so too must local Baptist Associations adjust to assist, encourage, and resource churches to fulfill the Great Commission.  Current realities and emerging trends demand creative approaches to reach our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

Reality One - Our world is increasingly urban.

• In 1800, only 2% of the world’s population lived in an urban area. 
• In 1950, it was 30%. 
• In 2008, over 50% of the world’s population was urban – first time in history.
• Almost 180,000 people are added to the urban population each day.  
• By 2015, it is expected that there will be 23 cities with a population over 10 million.
• By 2030, it is expected that 60% of the world population will live in urban areas. [i]

Our geographical region of Fort Bend County and surrounding area is rapidly growing.  Between April 2000 and July 2009, Fort Bend County was the 16th fastest growing county in the United States with a 57.1% population increase. [ii] We are the 4th largest metroplex in the country. [iii]

Current urbanization trends and the subsequent challenges that are created by those trends are significant factors in the consideration of how best to fulfill the Great Commission.  In order to meet the current opportunities in our contemporary context, we must consider innovative ideas.  The reality of urbanization forces us to take a fresh look at how best to assist churches in reaching their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth.

Reality Two – Our world is increasingly interconnected.

Modern technology allows us to overcome limitations that were once barriers.  Our ever progressing, mobilized society is able to stay connected through technological advancements.  Modern communication systems allow for instant face-to-face connections around the globe.  Communication, which once took weeks and even months, now can be accomplished in a matter of seconds.

Historically, the local Baptist Association was based upon geographical boundaries.  However, with the technological advancements of communication, the local Baptist Association can broaden its sphere of influence and “connectedness.”  Geographical boundaries are overcome through technology and the expansion of associational influence to assist churches is limitless.  We are not bound by previous limitations and are able to forge new relationships around the world.

Reality Three – Our world is increasingly lost.

According to the United Nations . . .

• The current population of the world is over six billion with over three billion in urban areas.
• The urban population will continue to grow at an annual rate of 2.4% per year until 2030. 
• At this rate, the population will double every 9 years.

The percentage of lostness compared to the overall population is increasing each year.  If we are not also growing at the same rate, we will not keep pace with our current population growth.  How can we as believers ever hope to evangelize the whole world if we are not even growing at the same rate as population? 

If we desire to see a greater percentage of the population become believers, we must evangelize at a rate higher than 2.4%.  How are we doing?  Are we doubling in number every 9 years?  Are we growing at a rate of 2.4% annually?

Increasing lostness forces us to take a fresh look at how successful our efforts have been.  Lostness should impact everything we do and everything we do must impact lostness.

Baptist Associations must continually re-evaluate their effectiveness in assisting, encouraging, and resourcing churches to reach their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.  Our contemporary environment challenges us to be more strategic in our cooperation.   New opportunities of collaboration exist for San Felipe and several alliances could develop for greater Kingdom harvest.  A fresh level of affiliation and partnership is emerging on the horizon and San Felipe desires to be at the forefront of what God is doing among Baptist Associations worldwide.

God bless,

Darrell

Executive Director of Missions

[i] http://www.un.org/ga/Istanbul+5/bg10.htm
[ii] http://www.texastribune.org/texas-counties-and-demographics/census/several-texas-counties-among-fastest-growing-in-us/
[iii] http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/uscities_100.html

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