October 23, 2000
EDITORIAL:
Churches can 'deal with this issue'
___"Now churches will have to deal with this issue" is a common lament expressed in letters to the editor, e-mails and phone calls as the Baptist General Convention of Texas prepares to consider its relationship--expressed through budget contributions--with the Southern Baptist Convention.
___It's about time.
___If churches had expended the time, energy and fortitude to "deal with this issue" long ago, perhaps Baptists would not have reached the impasse that seems to loom before the state and national conventions today.
___Baptists are a democratic people. We come at this theologically. Because we recognize that each soul is created competent to stand before God, we understand that all Christian believers are independent-yet-interdependent "priests" before God. Because we affirm the priesthood of all believers, we practice the autonomy of each local congregation of believer-priests. Subsequently, we recognize that those congregations affiliate voluntarily with local associations of churches as well as with state and national conventions. And to express these beliefs as we conduct our business, each sphere of Baptist life functions democratically.
___Fortunately, God blessed Baptists with many decades of peace and prosperity. The state and national conventions grew, missions and ministry efforts expanded, and occasional differences were resolved cordially. Unfortunately, so many years of ease made many Baptists lazy, at least as we practice our polity and exercise our democratic principles. We tended to trust the system, but we also ignored the details. So, in many ways we were ill-equipped to respond as decisions made by state and national conventions demanded that churches decide for themselves how they would respond.
___Texas Baptists basically agree the five purposes of a local church are fellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry and evangelism. In times of convention controversy, we naturally want to focus on our individual congregations and ignore state and national storms until they blow over. This thinking ignores the reality that much of what we do, particularly to fulfill the purposes of ministry and evangelism, as well as provide training for church leadership, is accomplished in cooperation with Baptists through state and national conventions. What happens in our state and national conventions ultimately impacts our churches, whether we like it or not.
___Because so many churches--or perhaps so many pastors and leaders of so many churches--pretended the details of state and national Baptist life were "out there" and immaterial to the churches, now thousands of Texas Baptists seem genuinely surprised at the present convention circumstances. Moreover, they are quite alarmed that their churches now might have to "deal with this issue."
___But now state and national issues are before all Texas Baptists. Next week, we will vote on proposals that would alter our relationship with the SBC. Two responses are appropriate.
___First is to participate in the BGCT's democratic process. Churches should care enough to send their full complements of messengers to the annual session in Corpus Christi. Messengers should study the issues, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and vote their convictions. And everyone-- messengers and members who stay home alike--should pray that Texas Baptists will follow God's will.
___After the convention, whatever the outcome of the voting, Texas Baptist churches should continue to "deal with this issue." Churches should make sure all members are informed about Baptist life. (Baptist Standard subscriptions for all members would be a good start.) Perhaps churches would want to create denominational relations committees to take an in-depth look at all the charges and counter-charges flying among Baptists, carefully investigating claims and ascertaining truth. Reports and town-hall meetings would be in order. More importantly, concerted prayer is vital.
___Finally, a word of consolation. "This issue" doesn't have to divide your church or association. Texas Baptists are freedom-loving people. Whatever the outcome of the votes in Corpus Christi, your church still will be able to support Baptist causes as it so desires. Furthermore, your church should allow individuals that same right. If so, Baptists of all persuasions can stand together at church, ready to focus more fervently on fellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry and evangelism.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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