I understand that there was a meeting at a denominational headquarters this week to discuss church planting. I also understand that WRC was mentioned a couple of times. Now I usually don’t feel a need to respond to these things because I know the mindset from which they come but since this was a fairly public gathering of church planters and people I know. I feel I must respond. I want to remind you these are my views not those of WRC or any of its pastors.

When the name of WRC was mentionded a comment from the “guy in the bowtie,” was, “are they Southern Baptist or Independent Southern Baptist?” I suppose a fair question. But first a personal comment. My mother left a SBC church in labor to have me. I was a SBC Baptist before I was a believer. I attended an SBC college and seminary. I was an appointed HMB missionary not once but twice. I AM SOUTHERN BAPTIST. I am SBC by Missionary conviction, if we ever stop doing mission work, then yes I can be independent.

The second comment, I would like to remind “the guy in the bowtie.” is that historically we were all independent Baptists. I think “the guy in the bowtie” should consider the meaning of the words AUTONOMOUS and COOPERATION. My understanding of autonomy is that each church is independent of any control from a denominational figurehead or structure. This leads us to cooperation. Cooperation is voluntary not forced. In other words because WRC is autonomous we can give as the Holy Spirit leads us to give, not as mandated by an executive committee or administration committee. After all the minimum is $250.00, WRC exceeds that. I wonder if “the guy in the bowtie” was checking the credentials of the presidents of the SBC that led the theological resurgence when he was backing them? Did it matter that most of them were giving far less than 1% or was it more important that they believed as he believed? Now that “the guy in the bowtie” is a denominational leader his tune has changed a little bit, now it’s about the money. That is not autonomous or cooperative.

The third item is that when the name of WRC was mentioned someone said, “church planting is about making disciples not converts.” I assume the point being made is that WRC is so big that we cannot make disciples just draw numbers. First let me say I NEVER apologize for numbers. I am proud that WRC is a megachurch and hope that it exceeds the numbers of every church before it. Because I do believe that there is life change happening all around us. If I could sit and tell you stories of people I know whose lives were changed because of finding first salvation and then a group that would guide them you would be praising God not criticizing. Also WRC just completed the REVEAL survey that has been completed by over 150,000 people for Willow Creek Church (oops not SBC sorry). And although we thought our numbers were pretty lame, Willow Creek has called and requested an interview because WRC was one of the TOP churches in leading its members in categories related to DISCIPLESHIP. Seems you can draw a lot of people, send out church planters (23 to date) and disciple people. Isn’t that amazing?

I invite comments. I invite anyone who knows to send this to “the guy in the bowtie.”

Independently and Cooperatively speaking, Jim