'I hope our churches will be encouraged to see God at work in this massive global exercise' 

A potential impact of the Revd Dr Rick Warren's appointment as Chancellor of Spurgeon's College for British Baptists is a renewed focus on the evangelisation of the world 

 
That's according to the Revd Professor Philip McCormack, the principal and Vice-Chancellor of Spurgeon's College, which announced in May that Dr Warren had become its first ever chancellor.  
 
Dr Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in California and author of the best-selling The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose-Driven Life.  
 
He is also the executive lead of Finishing the Task, a global organisation which seeks to bring together the body of Christ around the world with the goal of ensuring that we 'finish the task' of the Great Commission in this day and generation.  
 
This mission is rooted in Jesus' Great Commission commandment to 'go and make disciples of all nations' in Matthew 28: 19-20.
 
On its website, Finishing the Task states, 'In some of his last words on Earth, Jesus set before his followers a task and a promise - Matt 28:19-20. This assignment has been the call of every follower of Christ ever since.  
 
'Nearly two thousand years have passed since this Great Commission – and yet there are still people and places in nations across the globe who have never once had the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus.  
 
'We can change that.  
 
'Each believer has a role to play in the completion of the Great Commission. Together, we can work towards a world in which no one is left without an opportunity to know Jesus.' 
 
The Great Commission verse underpins the Declaration of Principle which forms the basis of understanding for all who belong to the Baptist Union. It was also explored at this year's Baptist Assembly in Telford.  
 
As such there is much alignment between Finishing the Task and British Baptists, said Prof McCormack, and there is much for the latter to take inspiration from. 
 
Prof McCormack said, 'Rick is passionate about being a Great Commission Baptist. And our own Declaration of Principle is focused around the Great Commission and evangelism. British Baptists for centuries have been Great Commission Baptists. That's our nature, it's in our DNA.  
 
‘With Rick being the executive lead for Finishing the Task, I hope our churches will be encouraged to see God at work in this massive global exercise, and that they are playing their part in this global endeavour to ‘finish the task’.  
 
'It's important as British Baptists we see ourselves in a much broader context. The Christian church outside of the West is growing and expanding. I think being part of this global mission, where the focus is in 2033, is hugely exciting.' 
 
Finishing the Task has four key goals - for everyone on earth to: have access to a Bible in their heart language; hear the Good News from a believer who shares their personal story; have access to a Body of Christ, a local church; and be prayed for by name, at least once, by 2033. (Finishing the Task notes 2033 as the 2000th anniversary of the Great Commission.)
 
Prof McCormack added, ‘I know many were tired as they came out of the COVID pandemic. 
 
'I passionately believe that Baptists' DNA is evangelistic - and the focus of the Great Commission can actually help energise. It's important that we see the Great Commission as a global exercise. 
 
'And we can play our part on that, because as Baptists we want people to come to a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.'  
 
Prof McCormack said one of the three key reasons for Dr Warren's appointment was his 'passion and drive to proclaim the gospel everywhere.'  
 
'Our vision as a College is to train men and women for Christian mission, ministry and leadership in the contemporary world, and our ultimate aim is to make Jesus known. In a very real sense, the missions of Pastor Warren and the College are aligned, because ultimately, we do what we do for the glory of God to make Jesus known to as many people as possible.' 
 
He added the College started thinking about appointing a chancellor after successfully achieving full degree awarding powers in 2022, giving Spurgeon’s the same awarding and validating powers of any UK university. A chancellor primarily occupies a ceremonial and ambassadorial role, so Dr Warren will preside over its graduation ceremonies, and act as a global ambassador for the College.
 
Dr Warren, whose great great grandfather was converted under Charles Spurgeon, studied at the College and was then commissioned by Spurgeon to plant churches in America, will also deliver monthly lectures for students and alumni. 'In these he'll share key lessons he has learned in his 53 years of ministry,’ said Prof McCormack. ‘I think that's just fabulous and the response of students has been wow, that's fantastic. 
 
'When you meet Rick, when you talk to him, you get the sense that he's really passionate about training people for Christian service.' 
 
There was some criticism of the appointment on Spurgeon’s Facebook post sharing the news of Dr Warren’s appointment. Prof McCormack says this was related to Dr Warren's – and the College’s – support for women in ministry (The Southern Baptist Convention has recently voted to uphold its ban on Saddleback Church and others who have female pastors).
 
‘The key thing is that Spurgeon's College and Rick Warren are fully supportive of women in ministry. But there is a faction within parts of the Christian church that are not, and so because a well-known figure, and a well-known college have taken such a public stance, it was always evident that there would be criticism. 
 
‘It was anticipated, it happened, but it needs to be kept in perspective. The evangelical leaders I've spoken to in the UK and folk within the Baptist community have universally welcomed the appointment. I would say in percentage terms, 99 per cent of the response has been incredibly encouraging.’
  
You can find out more about Pastor Warren’s relationship with the College at the Chancellor’s page.