In evaluating leadership, which is more important — what happened during one’s term of service or what did not happen? Truthfully the two are often so intertwined that one cannot focus on one of these without recognizing the other.
For example, during the 10 years Rick Lance has served as executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), Alabama Baptists have continued to meet and exceed missions giving goals through the Cooperative Program (CP). At the end of July, CP giving was 2.39 percent above the base budget income goal for a total of $26,007,917 for the first seven months of the year. It is also above last year’s income level for the same time period by $227,267.
That is something to celebrate. It means CP giving has not declined as in many other state Baptist conventions. A cursory look at other conventions shows some are not only below budget goals but also are actually below last year’s income level.
But in Alabama, CP gifts continue upward. At the Nov. 18–19 annual meeting of the state convention, messengers will consider a base budget goal of $46 million, a 3.17 percent increase over the 2008 budget. Obviously CP giving has not gone down. That means what happened in the state in relation to missions giving is intertwined with what did not happen.
This increase in giving has not occurred by itself. If that were true, then all conventions would be up in CP giving.
Alabama’s results reflect the leadership of Lance, who has reminded Alabama Baptists that the state convention has only “One Program, the Cooperative Program” since his first days in office.
The “One Program” phrase is only a part of a larger mantra, which has been embraced by Alabama Baptists during the 10 years of Lance’s leadership. The whole statement that Lance introduced says, “Alabama Baptists have One Mission, the Great Commission; One Program, the Cooperative Program; and Many Ministries, Great Commission Ministries.”
Lance has used that slogan to help cast a vision for Alabama Baptists since becoming executive director-elect July 15, 1998. It emphasizes that Alabama Baptists have diverse ways of serving the Lord but all of them are tied to the Great Commission of “making disciples of all nations.” No individual ministry is the total and every ministry is important.
That emphasis has led to a spirit of cooperation among ministries supported through the CP. It is not hyperbole to say that every state Baptist entity and every area of work of the SBOM support one another. Not only is there professional support but the leaders also enjoy personal friendships. There is no elbowing one another for more CP support. In fact, Alabama is the only state convention this writer knows about in which an entity has voluntarily given up some of its CP support in order to help other ministries.
Again not all conventions enjoy such cooperation. In some state conventions, lawsuits abound between the state convention and its entities. In other state conventions, entities are moving away from state convention relationships at the expense of CP support. In still others, relationships have already been fractured. But that has not happened in Alabama Baptist life. Part of the reason is Lance’s emphasis that all serve together in the cause of Christ.
That spirit of cooperation has carried over to relationships among the cooperating churches. The SBOM serves all churches seeking to cooperate with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. So do the state Baptist entities. Rather than divide over possible differences about issues that are outside the scope of the state convention, Lance has led Alabama Baptists to concentrate on Alabama Baptist issues.
Churches that are sympathetic to and supportive of Alabama Baptist causes participate in all areas of convention life. The result is members of the SBOM and other entity boards reflect the broad range of Alabama Baptist life.
There is participation, fellowship and cooperation.
Other state Baptist conventions have divided over issues beyond the scope of the state convention. Some are currently embroiled in struggles. Not Alabama Baptists. This convention is often referred to as the best state Baptist convention in the nation, and this writer agrees with that judgment.
Again it has not just happened. What Alabama Baptists enjoy is the result of strong and careful leadership on the part of the executive director. Because he leads toward cooperation, we have a united state convention. Because he leads toward mutual respect, we have strong relationships between the convention and its entities. Because he leads toward common support, we have strong CP giving.
Lance exhibits abundant leadership qualities. He is forward-looking, always keeping in mind the ultimate goal to advance the kingdom of God. He is a careful thinker, always considering the impact of various options on Alabama Baptist churches and ministries. He is meticulous in his planning, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure churches are served and programs work as envisioned.
When Alabama Baptists tapped this native son to be their executive director, they chose well and his first 10 years of service verify the wisdom of this selection. Lance is a gifted leader, and what has happened in Alabama Baptist life during the past 10 years and what has not happened both testify to the quality of his leadership.
Congratulations to Executive Director Rick Lance for his first 10 years of state leadership.
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