Marriott urges radical hospitality for a ‘Romans 1 world’

Ronny Marriott, BGCT president and pastor of First Baptist Church Burleson, delivered a challenge to directors during his Tuesday remarks at the February meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.

He implored attendees to change their methods, not their message, and practice radical hospitality to reach the lost in a rapidly changing world.

Drawing from 1 Chronicles 12:32, Marriott spoke of the children of Issachar who understood their times and knew what Israel was supposed to do. God used them, Marriott said, to help give Israel direction.

Likewise, Texas Baptists staff help churches understand and engage the changing culture, Marriott said.

He pointed to resources, including Women’s Ministry Director Katie McCoy’s new book To Be A Woman, Center for Cultural Engagement Director Katie Frugé’s talk on Artificial Intelligence entitled “What Is Real,” and Apologetics lead and Millennial Specialist Eric Hernandez’s new book The Lazy Approach to Evangelism.

Marriott likened today’s world to a “Romans 1 world.”

“What used to seem crazy now seems rational in the minds of so many people,” he said. “How do we deal with this?”

Marriott proposed a turn to God.

“I think we need to ask God to break our hearts for the things that break His,” he said.

Treating those with whom we disagree with lovingkindness and radical hospitality is what we are called to do, he said.

“This is how we are going to win an unbelieving world. It’s what Jesus did. It’s what we’re supposed to do,” said Marriott.

“I truly believe that the church is the hope of the world. We are the only group that God commissioned to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are the hope of the world. I hope we don’t forget that.”