Encouragement

The last few days have been challenging. I have been called "young," "naive," "unappreciative," "uncooperative," and a few other things that I'll not type (no cursing, but close).

I have been asked three times, twice with a rather derisive tone, "how old are you?"

I have been addressed "man to boy."

I have been told that the only reason that I conducted a study of the breakdown of CP funds was so I would be mentioned on blogs and twitter. Little did this individual know that I had wanted my numbers to be released anonymously without providing any narrative or commentary. The Florida Baptist Witness, understandably, refused to release an anonymous study, and I decided, on balance, it was better for Southern Baptists in the pew to know how little we are getting to the ends of the earth than to remain silent.

To be sure, much of the angst I've received is due to the way the article on my study concluded. In retrospect, I should have simply said that states spend 2/3 of CP receipts. The study was about how we spend CP dollars relative to our Great Commission mandate. I should have just said that. So, in large part, I'm reaping what I sowed.

Nevertheless, I needed some encouragement.

Today it came.

I received some communication today from people who called to let me know they had no idea the allocation of CP funds was so heavily weighted toward state missions. One person thought the study was "meaningful," "insightful," and "undeniably connected to reality."

I stand behind the study. I believe the Lord is calling Southern Baptists to assess how we allocate CP funds and to begin making some difficult, but necessary changes.