February 25, 2002
Mainstream speakers 'disturbed' by SBC
___By John Pierce
___Baptists Today
___CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Speakers at the first annual Mainstream Baptist Network convocation touted freedom and criticized recent Southern Baptist Convention decisions they considered as assaults on liberty.
___The group's board stated in a written release that "mainstream Baptists are deeply disturbed" by SBC actions that call for international missionaries to affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message, tie District of Columbia Baptist Convention funding to SBC oversight, refuse future endorsement of ordained female chaplains and reject mission funds from a new state convention in Missouri.
___While no other concrete actions were taken at the Feb. 15-16 meeting in Charlotte, N.C., one organizer predicted an alternative for those frustrated by SBC leadership decisions could arise in the near future.
___"I see this meeting as a chance to give a ray of hope to Southern Baptists who are still part of the Southern Baptist family but know they are not fundamentalists and know they are not creedal," said Bill Wilson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, Va., and national co-chair of the Mainstream Baptist Network.
___Asked if the Mainstream organization will provide an alternative to the current SBC structures that are becoming more restrictive, Wilson responded: "Yes, but I don't know when. I believe there is some movement of God's Spirit that will not rest until there's a viable alternative" to the SBC.
___Wilson said "some concrete things will emerge," possibly by this spring, to provide new opportunities for Baptists who are sympathetic to the concerns of the Mainstream Network.
___"Our hope is to motivate, to enable Baptists who reject fundamentalism and fundamentalist tactics to have a future they can embrace," said Wilson.
___Though describing himself as "an ardent supporter" of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Wilson would not speculate on potential state convention partnerships or the role of CBF in any new ventures.
___"What we're trying is say is there are choices," said Phil Lineberger, the other co-chair and pastor of Williams Trace Baptist Church in Sugar Land.
___Lineberger said the Mainstream Network will not become a denomination but serve as a "channel for people who have been denied" participation in SBC life. He noted that Southern Baptists worked together in partnership from 1845 until 1925, when the Cooperative Program unified budget was developed.
___About 250 people attended the convocation and heard messages and testimonies from more than a dozen speakers.
___The theme "A Firm Foundation in Jesus Christ" permeated the addresses. In the closing message, Lineberger repeatedly insisted that "freedom is a beautiful thing" and challenged listeners to reject those who attempt to restrict it.
___"Any man-made document is no improvement over the gospel of Jesus Christ," he declared. "Those who think they can make us more secure by being less free are wrong."
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