November 13, 2000
EDITORIAL:
Take steps to mend relationships
___Now comes the time for mending.
___The United States last week experienced the closest presidential election in more than a century. Popularly and electorally, Americans divided right down the middle between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Similarly, the Senate and the House of Representatives reflect offsetting perspectives between Democrats and Republicans. In the coming months, the winners must turn toward the future and present a vision all Americans can embrace.
___The week before last, Texas Baptists gathered for one of our most historic annual sessions, where we approved budget changes that alter the Baptist General Convention of Texas' relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention. In the coming months, BGCT churches will "vote" on that issue as they determine how to allocate their Cooperative Program funds, and state convention leaders must present a compelling vision for all Texas Baptists.
___All of us--U.S. citizens and Texas Baptists--now face the challenge of mending relationships. Here are some steps we can take:
___Practice forgiveness.
___In the heat of political campaigns, harsh words and overblown images often predominate. Part of the process of moving forward inevitably involves mopping up the rhetorical blood that has been spilled. That's why acceptance and concession speeches are so important. They provide the candidates an opportunity to point both themselves and their followers toward forgiveness and healing.
___Likewise, denominational politicking calls for forgiveness. Texas Baptists will not agree on all the issues that divide us. But that should not preclude us from forgiving each other for hurtful words and sharp deeds. We do not have to agree in order to be loving.
___
___In the midst of political strife, adversaries often demonize each other, painting the other as the enemy. This is not true. For the most part, politics in America is a contest of ideas about what is best for the country. The differences may be sharp, but the purposes are similar. During wartime, supporters of both political parties more easily recognize the enemy as a military adversary. Today, Americans share numerous common enemies. Terrorism grabs headlines. But more insidious enemies--such as greed, apathy, self-interest and hate--wait at the gate and threaten us all.
___As Baptists, our enemies are not labeled "conservative" or "moderate." The enemy is Satan, who loves to turn us upon each other, to God's shame and the devil's glory. Whatever our theological/political labels, we all are soldiers in God's army, battling Satan.
___
___As Americans, we hold much in common. We recognize a common geography and chronology. We also share freedom, heritage and many common blessings. For the most part, we hold common ideals and values. We long for security for our parents, opportunity for ourselves and happiness for our children. As different as we seem, we basically are more alike than we are different.
___Texas Baptists hold even more in common. We are created in God's image. We share one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are blessed by a blood-bought Baptist heritage, holding to a unique set of common doctrinal and polity beliefs. We agree on Jesus' Great Commission mandate, and we support a range of common ministries, from children's homes, aging-care facilities and hospitals, to universities, to ministries that start and strengthen churches and spread the gospel across the state and around the world, to ministries that build up families and serve the disadvantaged.
___
___Campaign debates and stump speeches echo a litany of challenges facing America: Protecting senior citizens, educating the next generation, providing jobs and preserving investments, building up the weak, providing military protection for ourselves and others, strengthening families and boosting the economy are but a few of the challenges we as American people face together.
___Baptists in Texas also confront common challenges. Millions of Texans are living and dying without saving faith in Jesus Christ. Hundreds of churches are plateaued or declining. Culture bombards our children with non-Christian messages. Marriages crumble. An ocean of needs awaits our ministries. If we focus on all these challenges, we won't have time or energy to pay more than passing attention to the issues that divide us.
___
___The world awaits the administration of the next U.S. president and Congress. Adversaries and allies alike will watch to see how America moves forward and leads the free world.
___Texas Baptists live under similar scrutiny. Friends, neighbors and adversaries watch to see how we will live together. An unabated stare can be uncomfortable, but it also provides an opportunity to exhibit the transforming power of God. Let us mend relationships and witness for Christ.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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