Voices: Diversity is a Baptist Standard board value

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My relationship with Baptist Standard Publishing began with a call from former Editor Marv Knox. I met Marv when he came to tour and learn about the changes at Baptist University of the Américas.

As the librarian tasked with meeting and maintaining the requirements of accreditation, I already was participating in a challenging environment. When Marv called to discuss the likelihood of me joining the Standard’s board, I was scared, intrigued and honored.

I remember having a long discussion about what the Standard does and why Marv considered me for the role. He told me someone submitted my name to fill a vacancy on the board. I was surprised, because I considered myself ill-prepared for the task since I was a new Baptist. However, I recognized God often puts me in places of discomfort to grow my faith, and I could be a positive impetus for change.

Marv asked me to pray about it. A week later, I found myself excited about the challenge and opportunity to help further the work of God’s kingdom.

The Standard board chose me to represent Hispanic Texas Baptist women. However, I did not feel or think I was a true Hispanic Baptist. I believed I did not match the cookie-cutter ideal. After all, geographic location, language-preferences, the possession or lack of economic stability, country of origin and education all influence culture more than simply having Martinez as a last name.

I consider myself multicultural since my mother is New Mexican—Spanish and Native American—and the man who raised me since age 6 is Dutch American. My birth father had a Mexican mother and an English Swedish father. Before I married, my surname was Sheldon.

That the Standard board accepted me demonstrated their willingness to go outside the norm for the sake of God’s kingdom. They were willing to listen to different voices. Common kingdom values like compassion, fairness, integrity and faith meant everyone around the table was equal.

A diverse board

During one of my first few meetings, we had a lengthy discussion about a project called Faith Village. At the time, Faith Village reflected an out-of-the-box enterprise that would benefit our readers by providing an online environment to engage a wider population and stimulate connectivity in the Baptist community.

I was disappointed when we could not continue the project because of lack of interest and funds. I learned to move on from projects that did not work, because the Standard board always works cooperatively—collective decision-making is a Standard board value—and in a fiscally responsible manner.


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During subsequent meetings, we discussed topics like keeping ourselves relevant, moving and selling facilities to trim costs, releasing staff, hiring a Hispanic news reporter, merging with another Baptist news organization, rebranding ourselves and, most recently, clarifying our role in Texas Baptist life.

Over my years of involvement with Baptist Standard Publishing, I understood this entity wrestles constantly to meet the information and inspiration needs of Texas Baptists, so together we can make an impact for God’s kingdom with integrity and excellence in speech and deed.

Over my tenure, readers of the Baptist Standard have been represented by a Hispanic pastor, journalist, physician, attorney, therapist and even a librarian on the Standard board. I look forward to even more diversity of cultural representation.

I am grateful Hispanic and Latino people contributed to the decision-making process regarding the news stories, fiscal tasks and cultural changes present in local church communities, academic entities and other facets of Texas Baptist life.

For a diverse kingdom

I lived in the border city of El Paso 40 years and in San Antonio the last 22 years. Over my time as a Christian, I have engaged Peruvians, Guatemalans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans and others impacted by Spanish migration.

The Baptist Standard has made a commitment to Hispanics, Latinos and Tejanos—however we chose to identify ourselves. The commitment is to consider, represent and include the ethnic diversity of all Baptists.

The Standard engages people of Hispanic origin more often than when I started my time on the board. The effort goes beyond adding token representation of people like me on the board. Coverage of Hispanic events has increased.

Baptist Standard Editor Eric Black offered himself for town hall-style outreach meetings at Baptist University of the Américas. He also is building relationships with Hispanic and Mexican Baptist churches throughout Texas to get a better understanding of that segment of Texas Baptist life.

I see my involvement on the board as part of my ministry, because we ensure efforts to provide information that serves the Baptist community and leads to positive change. The Standard board is not a passive entity.

When I began my tenure on the board of Baptist Standard Publishing, I never had been part of a group with so much responsibility. Board members must give their time, energy, expertise and money to the development of an enterprise with uncertain rewards. Thankfully, God is faithful, and I have learned much more than I expected.

I ask the reader of this article to consider investing in representative and kingdom-friendly journalism through prayer, ideas and money. Encourage others to care about equal representation within the virtual pages of the Baptist Standard.

The changing demography of Texas requires better understanding and communication among God’s people. As I wrote this reflection, I considered the truth in 2 Corinthians 9 about sowing and reaping. In view of the principle, I ask we sow widely and earnestly.

Teresa Martinez was library director and chair of the associate of arts in cross-cultural studies at Baptist University of the Américas. She is a member of the Baptist Standard board of directors.


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