Commentary: Forming and holding centrist convictions

This article is 2 of 9 in the Leading from the Center series by three writers.

Conviction.

Not merely a preference.

Not merely an opinion.

Not merely an assumption or a presupposition.

“Conviction” is rooted in the Latin word for “convince.” Thus, a conviction is not something we’ve been told is true, have always assumed to be true, or something we judged to be true without considering evidence.

People who hold a conviction should be able to give a reasonable explanation as to what convinced them.

Convictions are those deeply held, firm, grounded, defensible beliefs that define us. They reflect our values, shape our worldview and determine the trajectory of our lives.

We don’t have to have convictions about every topic, by the way. There is no shame in holding a mere opinion about something or in merely stating a preference. It is not dishonorable to say, “I don’t know,” or to say, “I have not reached a conclusion on the matter.” It’s downright admirable to confess assumptions and presuppositions.

The important matters, however, demand our convictions.

Convictions matter about important matters

If you care enough about the church to read this article, then you are a person of influence. Therefore, you should be convinced about matters that matter. You and I cannot play the “Gee, I don’t know” card on the critical questions facing the church today. As examples:

• What about women in ministry? Baptist centrists I know would affirm women in all roles of ministry.

• What about sexuality? Baptist centrists I know would welcome everyone to their church, but would affirm physically intimate relationships only within the covenant of heterosexual marriages.

• Is Jesus truly the way, truth and life? Baptist centrists I know answer, “Yes.”

• Is the Bible really the trustworthy authority for what we believe and practice? Baptist centrists I know answer, “Yes.”

• What about racial strife and inequality? Baptist centrists I know believe we have work to do to secure dignity and equal opportunities for everyone, no matter the hue of their skin or the accent of their tongues.

Topics such as those demand our convictions.

We cannot stand casually on important matters. Let’s stand firmly.

But we do not have to stand arrogantly on important matters. Let’s stand humbly.

And we ought not stand angrily defiant on important matters. Let’s stand nonanxiously.

But on defining topics we must declare, as Martin Luther is said to have declared: “Here I stand; I can do no other.”

We’re talking about ‘centrists,’ not ‘moderates.’

Like Dennis Wiles, I understand the intent behind the use of the term “moderate,” and I’m not offended by it. In Baptist conversations, the intent of the use of “moderate” is to mark a contrast with “extremists” or “radicals” to either side. And yet, one synonym of “moderate” is “tepid.” The centrists I know are anything but tepid.

Peggy Noonan, in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece April 27, 2023, was talking about political centrists and the possibility of a third-party candidate in the 2024 elections. Centrists, she said, aren’t dramatic. I think she intended it as a compliment. And I would agree, centrists tend not to be melodramatic. But I don’t see centrists lacking passion.

Along with Wiles, I also once heard a fellow Baptist disparage those he called “moderate Baptists” by pronouncing, “Where I’m from the only thing in the middle of the road is a yellow line and dead skunks!”

That attempt at wit tells me he never has tried to stand in the middle of a denominational tug-of-war. But it also demonstrates why “centrists” is a much more accurate description of the people I’m writing about here.

In fact, I would contend it requires more fortitude to be a centrist than to live in the extremes. Those on the extremes tend to hum the same melody. Centrists, however, live with the kind of harmony that occasionally becomes cacophony. Holding the center in a centrist church is not for the faint of heart. It requires the courage of conviction.

How does one form a conviction?

If God’s promise in James 1:5 ever has been important, it is here: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (NIV). So, begin by asking God for wisdom.

Admit your biases. We all have them. Be honest with yourself about your presuppositions and about the influence of your friends’ biases. That’s an important baseline.

Then, gather information from a wide array of sources. Read broadly. Sit with people who have disparate perspectives. Get outside your normal circle. Whatever you do, don’t set up camp in an echo chamber.

Sit with what you’ve learned. Prayerfully. Vulnerably. Honestly.

Write down what you believe you believe. This will give clarity to your emerging convictions.

Weigh the consequences of your emerging convictions. Are you willing to pay a price for them? Will there be implications for those who surround you? If you are a church leader, will there be implications for your congregation? These questions will help you determine if your belief has risen to the level of a true conviction.

When you sense a profound confidence, state your conviction to yourself and to others if needed. There, like Luther, you stand. You will need the clarity that articulating your conviction brings.

Your convictions are not immutable. So, don’t feel trapped by your new declaration. Radically new information or a deep spiritual experience might shake your convictions. In the meantime, however, your convictions are reassuringly solid.

It is an honor to count myself among Baptists I call “centrist.” It sometimes means strained relationships to the right and to the left. We’ll talk about that later in this series. But this is my calling. Centrists are my people.

Here we stand.

Travis Collins is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Ala. The views expressed are those of the author. This article is 2 of 9 in the Leading from the Center series by three writers.