For those of you who do not know, Third is a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) church. We are “in friendly cooperation with and contributing toward the causes of” the Southern Baptist Convention. Decisions made at the SBC are not binding on any local church because Baptist churches are congregational. However, because the convention represents over 16 million Southern Baptists throughout the world, because over 8,000 gathered together this year in San Antonio, and because we believe cooperation is biblical, what happens at the SBC is important.
I found it rather difficult to keep up on the events this year. My computer does not do video streaming well, and it didn’t seem like there was one place to get all the news I wanted. Furthermore, we will have to wait for Greg Gilbert (who attended) to get a complete report–if he chooses to post online. Nonetheless, here are some highlights as I see them.
1. On May 30, Baptist Press posted an article by Douglas Baker, a DC writer, about in-fighting in the SBC. A few hours later, Baptist Press pulled the op-ed article. The article was later edited and published by Christianity Today. Baker’s point: why can’t we all just get along. This isn’t a highlight but it does show that there is tension in the SBC. Nothing wrong with that, tension is to be expected, we might as well be honest about it, pray against it, and work our way out of it.
2. Tom Ascol, faithful Florida pastor and leader of Founders Ministries submitted a resolution calling on Southern Baptists to give more serious attention to that cardinal Baptist doctrine of regenerate church membership. The Resolutions Committee did not bring Tom’s resolution before the Convention for a vote because they thought it infringed upon the autonomy of the local church. However, Tom, as a messenger, had the right to bring it up himself on the floor of the convention. He did and, apparently, a healthy discussion ensued. Although, in the end, the Convention decided not to take a vote on the substance of Tom’s resolution.
3. Perhaps the biggest news, as far as I can tell, coming out of San Antonio had to do with a motion, that passed, to make the Baptist Faith and Message the sufficient standard for baptist identity. The messengers voted 58 to 42 percent to approve this motion. Some proponents of the motion argue, for example, that when the International Missions Board disqualifies missionary candidates with a private prayer language the IMB is going beyond the Baptist Faith and Message, effectively adding to the BF&M when deciding what makes a Southern Baptist in good standing. Others argue that the BF&M can only set a minimum requirement for faith and practice; there are plenty of other matters of conviction we would want the heads of Southern Baptist agencies to expect their employees and missionaries to affirm that the BF&M may not cover, such as a repudiation of homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle choice–something clearly taught in Scripture but not clear in the BF&M. Thus, some are walking away from this motion unsure of its value.
Today marks an important anniversary for Southern Baptists. 150 years ago today, James P. Boyce delivered an address entitled Three Changes in Theological Education before the faculty of Furman University. His address laid out his vision for theological education in the South and in particular for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler has summarized Boyce’s vision, this particular address and the importance it has had for the SBC in this article. Some of us are here in Louisville because of this institution, and it is fitting that we reflect today on Boyce’s vision and legacy for us, for the SBC, and for the kingdom of Christ.
I would like to bring a connection to the two most recent discussions here at our little blog. Just as I left town, someone asked what value there was in being an SBC church. Greg, or someone, has veered us into the current question raised by the recent past president of the convention.
In addition to the reasons given previously about why a church should be in friendly cooperation with the SBC, I would say that another long-standing reason to cooperate is for the fraternal fellowship that churches can have with one another. In the distant past in SBC life, a church’s local association served as a place for fellowship, guidance and wisdom on a host of matters that would come before a local congregation. The geographic proximity of churches led to the natural groupings that have been worked with for generations. A discussion like the one we are having on the role and value of a membership class would very naturally be shared by other similar churches. Why have this discussion as if we are the only church in Christendom? The diversity of Baptist church life may not make geographical groupings the most logical today, but the value remains that there is pastoral wisdom and guidance that can be found in coming together as churches. (I have to say though that I don’t see strong evidence in the NT for a bishop having authority over all of those churches in fellowship with one another, but I can imagine gifted leaders receiving deference by virtue of their gifting.) Lord willing, we might see and encourage more sharing of wisdom regarding pastoral questions among like minded churches in our area and beyond.
In this present conversation about membership classes, we have the thoughts of one pastor in the SBC, but we also know others who have differing thoughts about this topic. We can have the benefit of wisdom from others without having to take marching orders from them. Makes me feel bad for the unenlightened still serving under the tryanny of a bishop. As I think about it, the SBC could adopt the motto of the French revolution: “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” Now who knew the SBC would have anything in common with the French?
The question on the table seems to be whether a membership class or some type of seeker study (or both) as a prerequisite to church membership displays what Bobby Welch described as “flagging confidence in God’s ability to transform someone’s life instantly.” I should hope not. I understand the Bible to teach that the sinner is justified by faith in Christ alone (Gal. 3:23-25) but, as it has been often said, that faith is never alone, if it is true faith it will be accompanied by works (James 2:24).
It seems to me, then, the question that every church needs to ask every prospective member is: do you have faith in Christ (do you believe) and is you faith in Christ accompanied by a changed life (do you repent). After all, Jesus himself said, “Repent and believe” (Mark 1:15). I’m reminded of the story of Spurgeon who came across a drunkard. The drunkard said to the great preacher, “I’m one of your converts!” Spurgeon said in his typical fashion, “You must be one of mine because you’re certainly not one of the Lord’s!” Belief in Christ will not make one perfect, this side of heaven, but there should be changes in people’s lives that are discernable.
Should the church have some time to sit down with a prospective member and work through the meaning of conversion and church membership? I think so. It seems to me the cost of not doing this is found in the fact that there are roughly 16 million Southern Baptists and 10 million cannot be found on Sunday morning–that’s more than enough people to fill New York City!
I guess I’m more concerned about this problem–people running around as members of churches who don’t actually go to their churches–than the problem that Welch pointed to: membership classes somehow undermining confidence in God’s ability to convert people instantaneously.
I’m thankful that at Third we are beginning to have a membership roll more accurately reflect our attendance. I think this will give us more credibility in our community and help us be salt and light in Old Louisville. Adding a membership class, to help people understand what it looks likes to be a member of the bride of Christ–including every believer’s responsiblity to share the Gospel–will only make us more evangelistic. I think I understand what Welch said, but I confess, I just don’t get it.
I agree with Keith and Greg. I’d simply add that as I’ve reflected on the SBC it is it’s ability as an entity to make cooperation possible that has always amazed me. This is certainly the case for missions and theological education but it is also true when it comes to disaster relief. Not to long ago the Red Cross noticed the work of Southern Baptists coming to the aid of Katrina victims. We have, of course, biblical examples of churches cooperating with one another. In 2Cor. 8: 1-2, Paul wrote, “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” These early believers cooperated financially to come to one another’s aid. The SBC can and should bring churches together to encourage this kind of cooperation. Churches have cooperated to make Southern Seminary possible. I’ve been a student there for some time and appreciated subsidized tuition. I’m thankful for the faithful giving of Southern Baptists who value the importance of an educated ministry. This is possible because of cooperation.
I resonate most with Ben’s observation. As I look at the Cooperative Program I think I find the most compelling reason to commit myself to the SBC. As I look at the numerous SBC churches we may be similar theologically on paper, when that gets played out on the practical level many of those similarities seem to disappear. Still, I think that the opportunity to cooperate for missions and theological education is extraordinary and I want to do everything I can to take advantage of this ingenious system of connectionalism.
Okay, thanks guys. For a while there it was looking pretty grim for us. Whatever you think about the blog culture one thing is for certain, this form of communication is here to stay. I don’t think that means we are obliged to use it, but we certainly can’t dismiss it. If we do choose to use it, we ought to use it well, or at least as positively as it can be used. But let’s move on to another topic. Third Avenue is an SBC church. What encourages you today about the Southern Baptist Convention?
