Comments on: The Problems of Institutional Giving http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/ A web site by Joshua Sowin that addresses culture, books, technology, ecology, religion, and other topics. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:20:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Sean http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/comment-page-1/#comment-57992 Sean Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:46:28 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/#comment-57992 I have been doing a lot of reading about all this and quite frankly am getting sick over the SBC, of which I am a part of. The desperate plea above for us not to jump ship is stupid. I say jump. I have been doing a lot of reading about all this and quite frankly am getting sick over the SBC, of which I am a part of. The desperate plea above for us not to jump ship is stupid. I say jump.

]]> By: Curtis http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/comment-page-1/#comment-2358 Curtis Sat, 22 Apr 2006 03:37:25 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/#comment-2358 I am a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and several students here and professors have related that during the "Baptist Reformation" or "Conservative Resurgence," however it is to be named, many liberal and moderates went to NAMB and IMB to "hide" there in mid-level positions. I have personal relationships with people that have severed ties with NAMB due to theological differences, an example of which is a man who was let go because NAMB "didn't see a need to mix prayer with evangelism" (his words, not mine). In my opinion, NAMB needs stricter SBC supervision, and not just in fiscal matters. I am a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and several students here and professors have related that during the “Baptist Reformation” or “Conservative Resurgence,” however it is to be named, many liberal and moderates went to NAMB and IMB to “hide” there in mid-level positions. I have personal relationships with people that have severed ties with NAMB due to theological differences, an example of which is a man who was let go because NAMB “didn’t see a need to mix prayer with evangelism” (his words, not mine).
In my opinion, NAMB needs stricter SBC supervision, and not just in fiscal matters.

]]> By: Brother Bob http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/comment-page-1/#comment-2087 Brother Bob Fri, 07 Apr 2006 19:02:28 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/#comment-2087 As a NAMB trustee, I want you to know that we hear you and that we share your desire to hold the agency accountable. Rather than abandoning ship, pray for us as we seek to turn the ship the right direction. Whereas large organizations can go awry, and our task force report shows that some things did, large organizations also have to be more accountable because of their large number of constituents. This forces the pendulum to swing back, or the organization will lose its base of support. In the long run, Southern Baptist are able to do more for missions by giving collectively. It is an efficient way to do missions. That's why other organizations like the United Way have copied our model of the Cooperative Program. As a NAMB trustee, I want you to know that we hear you and that we share your desire to hold the agency accountable. Rather than abandoning ship, pray for us as we seek to turn the ship the right direction.
Whereas large organizations can go awry, and our task force report shows that some things did, large organizations also have to be more accountable because of their large number of constituents. This forces the pendulum to swing back, or the organization will lose its base of support.
In the long run, Southern Baptist are able to do more for missions by giving collectively. It is an efficient way to do missions. That’s why other organizations like the United Way have copied our model of the Cooperative Program.

]]> By: Josh Sowin http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/comment-page-1/#comment-2079 Josh Sowin Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:21:24 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/#comment-2079 I'm not necessarily saying we should "forsake large institutions altogether" (although I admit I think it a rather good idea). But I am saying that individuals can often be more effective and thrifty than large organizations. It's like saying that instead of making the government smaller, we need more accountability. Smaller would be best, both would be better. But I think smaller is often inherently more accountable. I would much rather my money go to an individual missionary than NAMB. I also do not think missionaries should be dependent on organizations for their complete support. Being a "tentmaker" seems very biblical and wise to me. I’m not necessarily saying we should “forsake large institutions altogether” (although I admit I think it a rather good idea). But I am saying that individuals can often be more effective and thrifty than large organizations. It’s like saying that instead of making the government smaller, we need more accountability. Smaller would be best, both would be better. But I think smaller is often inherently more accountable.

I would much rather my money go to an individual missionary than NAMB. I also do not think missionaries should be dependent on organizations for their complete support. Being a “tentmaker” seems very biblical and wise to me.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/comment-page-1/#comment-2078 Jeff Tue, 04 Apr 2006 13:55:11 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/#comment-2078 As a Southern Baptist, I was upset by the NAMB report. But I think that the solution is to make an organization like NAMB more accountable, not to forsake large institutions altogether. Before Southern Baptists began the cooperative approach to missions, foreign missionaries frequently had to return to the United States to beg for money. Now that we have the world's largest international missions organization, our missionaries can focus on their ministry instead of worrying about money. Southern Baptists have sent out a lot more missionaries ever since they began forming large mission organizations such as NAMB and IMB. As a Southern Baptist, I was upset by the NAMB report. But I think that the solution is to make an organization like NAMB more accountable, not to forsake large institutions altogether. Before Southern Baptists began the cooperative approach to missions, foreign missionaries frequently had to return to the United States to beg for money. Now that we have the world’s largest international missions organization, our missionaries can focus on their ministry instead of worrying about money. Southern Baptists have sent out a lot more missionaries ever since they began forming large mission organizations such as NAMB and IMB.

]]> By: hynes http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/comment-page-1/#comment-2077 hynes Tue, 04 Apr 2006 13:04:44 +0000 http://www.fireandknowledge.org/archives/2006/04/03/the-problems-of-institutional-giving/#comment-2077 It's amazing how something that starts with such pure intentions can over time become tainted with our personal desires for greed and power -- even within the Church. And if I honestly evaluated my heart I can't say I would do any better on my own. Thank the Lord we have a Savior who strengthens and guides us in all circumstances. It’s amazing how something that starts with such pure intentions can over time become tainted with our personal desires for greed and power — even within the Church. And if I honestly evaluated my heart I can’t say I would do any better on my own. Thank the Lord we have a Savior who strengthens and guides us in all circumstances.

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