BWA calls for reconciliation prayer_112403

Posted: 11/24/03

BWA calls for reconciliation prayer

WASHINGTON–After 30 years of sometimes-violent conflict, Baptists in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have taken steps toward reconciliation, according to Denton Lotz, executive director of the Baptist World Alliance.

Lotz called on Baptists around the world to pray for leaders of the Samavesam Telegu of Telegu Baptist Churches: “We call upon Baptists worldwide to pray without ceasing for unity and reconciliation among the Samavesam of Telegu Baptists so that the millions who do not know Christ will hear the good news of salvation.”

The root of the conflict is over property, Lotz explained. American Baptist International Ministries made what he called a “very generous property gift” to the Telegu Baptist churches.

Subsequently, three factions emerged, each with a general secretary and president, each claiming to represent the true Samavesam Telegu of Telegu Baptist Churches.

“The conflict has been so intense that one of the presidents was murdered,” Lotz said.

The Baptist group has a baptized membership of 500,000 with a worshipping community of more than 1 million. “There are significant mega-churches with a membership of more than 15,000,” he said. “Hundreds of the village churches are progressing but need new leadership. The conflict has caused the seminary and other educational facilities, as well as hospitals, to fall into neglect and misuse.”

In this context, the BWA sponsored a reconciliation gathering at the Asian Baptist Federation meeting in Manila, Philippines, in 2001. This was followed by another reconciliation meeting in Nellore, India, in 2002.

A retired Methodist bishop was accepted as the facilitator, and an interim reconciliation committee was established. However, there was little movement in this past year, Lotz said. “Deadlines were missed, agreements violated, meetings without quorums held. It seemed that there was no progress or hope.

“In desperation, I proposed that if reconciliation did not come I would recommend either probation or expulsion of the Samavesam Telegu of Telegu Baptist Churches from the BWA,” he added. In a last-ditch effort to avert expulsion, another fact-finding and reconciliation meeting was held Nov. 9-10 in Chennai, Madras.

“On Sunday evening, Nov. 9, we held a plenary session of the many people who had come to Chennai with the desire for peace and reconciliation,” Lotz reported. “These were pastors and interested laity. Since they were not members of the reconciliation committee, they could not participate in the deliberations. But their deep concern for unity and reconciliation made it very necessary for us to have an open session for all to express their hopes for the future.

“It was an amazing experience in Baptist democracy. One after another, pastors and laity expressed the desire for peace and unity. There had been enough fighting. Pastors were concerned about the future of the Church. They were concerned about evangelism and witness to Christ. They told stories of the great growth of their churches and the need for a strong and supporting convention, devoid of fighting and concentrating on glorifying Christ.”

Lotz also pleaded with the Baptists to move toward reconciliation, he said.

That evening, representatives of the three factions met on their own and ironed out a proposal for reconciliation.

“We were shocked and yet extremely pleased at this amazing step forward toward reconciliation,” Lotz said. “We met separately with each of the three factions and reviewed the document and memo of agreement, each group assuring us they accepted the document. It was an amazing sign of God's grace.”

The parties agreed to withdraw from court cases, establish a property review committee and call for elections and final reconciliation meetings.

Elections in all the field associations will be held by Dec. 15. On Jan. 10, the new General Council will be formed and an assembly called to ratify the decisions.

“We have insisted that reconciliation is a process,” Lotz said. “It is not something that happens suddenly but it is a road we must follow with Christ leading us on to make sacrifices for the good of the whole. Now the difficult part begins.”

.