Connie Stinson - Aftermath

I am just one minister whose charge is a little congregation comprised of little people. The fact that we sit right next to what some folk like to call the most powerful city in the world is a line I sometimes use to make me feel less small.

I took my small self to the New Baptist Covenant Celebration last week. A few of my colleagues-in-ministry, pastors of large congregations with publicly powerful people (a distinction that may or may not be significant here), returned home and reported to their congregations that the conference was, as had been feared by some, mostly comprised of political rhetoric, more “show” than valuable enterprise, after all. These colleagues criticized messages and those who delivered them. I found myself wondering if I attended the same event.

I can see that it would be easy to be cynical. Usually, it happens to those who have been burned or hurt or disappointed or all the above, a plight common among ministers, and likely more common among moderate Baptist ones. We tend to work long hours for little-to-no measurable gain and in little-to-no supportive company. It’s often a lonely job. One often ends up “doing stuff” that doesn’t appear to be ministry at all, which raises the probability that cynicism will eventually overcome. Being anything but cynical requires trusting in a future that usually doesn’t seem likely.

But today I’m not…cynical. In fact, for the first time in my adulthood, for the first time since I realized the Southern Baptist Convention would cease being the Church through which God called me as a female teenager to a lifetime of vocational ministry, I feel proud and grateful to be a Baptist! Now, again for the first time in my adult life, I feel as though I can confidently say to the world as well as to my un-churched neighbor, that I am one of “those Baptists” who cares about the state of our world and am resolved to do something to help…and that along with other kindred spirits the likes of which met in Atlanta last week, I am building relational bridges to share concerns and plan strategies to address them. I have already spoken with two other pastor friends (who had similarly positive responses to the meetings in Atlanta) about an urgent need to come together and begin the process locally.

Beyond acquiring a new sense of moderate Baptist identity, my inner spirit was fed last week. I was deeply moved by the convictions of others in the face of their weariness and loneliness. I shouldn’t have been surprised to discover that some highly visible public servants have been deeply discouraged, but I was. Perhaps I have been so consumed by my own troubles that I didn’t bother to think about the fact that others in “high places” might have similar ones. Through them, I was reminded of why I do what I do.

There are many Baptist ministers, lay and otherwise, whose hearts are breaking, whose bodies are fatigued, and whose spirits are hungry, but who still manage to carry on. Two-and-a-half days spent with more moderate Baptists than I have ever seen in one place gave me a glimpse of what-could-be if we did a better job combining forces, albeit our weak, broken, weary, spiritually deprived ones. Last week’s New Baptist Covenant Celebration gave this tired body and soul a good shot of spiritual adrenaline. It is the only like-event in my 52 years that has had this affect on me, but it might have been enough to keep me going.

Brenda Halliburton - Welcoming a Stranger

Richard Wilson, a presenter at Friday’s special interest session “Welcoming a Stranger” reminded us that the immigration issues we are wrestling with in our churches are not public policy issues alone. The issues are also interpersonal, challenging how we view and live out the Christian understanding of hospitality. Scriptures remind us that we are to be like Abraham and Sarah, extending hospitality to strangers in our communities, because we may find that we are welcoming angels as our guests.

Presenter David Carro, who talked about the many ways immigrants are “actively” isolated each day, sensitized us even more. Little is said about ways to better understand the strangers among us, points out Carro.

As I reflected on each presenter’s words, I could not help but feel hope and expectation that a unified mission effort will, indeed, emerge from our conversation. Baptist clergy and lay servants from around the country shared insights from their experiences welcoming the stranger. And all of us were seeking to better understand the challenge of how to extend meaningful hospitality to the African, Burmese, Haitian and Latino immigrants who have come to this country seeking refuge and a better life.

This session broadened our understanding of hospitality beyond providing food and shelter by helping us hear that it must also include meeting the social, spiritual and physical needs of the stranger. Together we were seeking to transcend the distinctions and attitudes that have created barriers in our ministries, so that our individual and collective Christian witness will speak to the hospitality at that heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

I cannot help but believe that as a result of this session and the larger conference, Baptists will seek unity in mission efforts and a deeper understanding of what it means to be hospitable to the strangers in our midst. I pray that the work coming out of the New Baptist Covenant celebration will also make it possible for followers of Jesus to be a more hospitable people in the world, tearing down the dividing walls and leading the world through our witness toward a more excellent way!

Arlo R. Reichter - Dwelling Together

In advance of the event there were those asking "why" a Baptist Gathering would be of value and "what" would come of it. These are good questions, of course, in the days of careful prioritizing resources for attending such events. They are also appropriate questions for "outcome based" evaluations of programs and events.

There are also those who referred, in advance, to The Baptist Gathering in Atlanta as "historic". Yes, in some sense it was historic when you consider the range of Baptist organizations participating and the array of leaders. As for me, I wish to let someone in a future time determine, using the test of time, to decide if the Gathering was "historic".

What I do know, however, having just experienced The Gathering is that it was one of the most significant experiences of my ABC life--and I was carried into an ABC (Northern) Baptist Church by my parents. It was significant because we spent important time "dwelling" together in the presence of God and a broad representation of Baptists from North America. What will come of it? For one it has already presented a time and place where God was glorified, where we learned together, where we greeted and embraced one another. These are "outcomes" already realized that must not be discounted.

If we had not taken this initial step there would be no potential for shared mission and ministry across some traditional "human built" divisions. I celebrate The New Baptist Covenant Celebration. My prayer would be that within our own ABCUSA family we would discover anew the joy and necessity of dwelling together in the presence of God and one another that we might be energized for mission and ministry in our time.

Marilyn Turner — Closing Night

The Morehouse College glee club—adorned in ties, slacks and blazers—stood on the stage risers and captivated the audience gathered for closing night. The young men looked like all of the men who hold “center stage” in my life. They reminded me of the men who have loved me and those I have loved—my beloved, my son, my father, my nephew and my uncles.

When the young man, whose hair was styled in cornrows, stepped forward and enthralled us with a rich and skilled testimony of the power of Christ as anchor in his life, I found myself wondering. Wondering how persons in this crowd, which was enthusiastically extending him a well-deserved standing ovation, would react to him if they encountered him on a dark street. I wondered if our ears could hear his melodious voice or if they’d be deafened by his cornrows. I wondered, as I have wondered so often, how much richer our world could be if we could all rid ourselves (me included) of our stereotypical thinking.

I wonder if we might all learn to adhere to the charge given us by former President Carter in his closing remarks: “Love God and love the person who is standing in front of you at any particular time.” Perhaps that is what this wonderful conference has been about— challenging us to move beyond the borders of our personal comfort. Perhaps the challenge before us is to move collectively closer to the cross until, even as the eyes of the world are upon us, we become the image of the serving, suffering and triumphant Christ.

“What’s next?” has been the question on the lips of so many who have been a part of the New Baptist Covenant. Perhaps the answer is quite simply this, “Love God. Love the person in front of you at any particular time.” Love them with the love of Christ.

Curtis Ramsey-Lucas - Hang Out With The Poor

In today's special interest session "Breaking Cycles of Poverty," Jimmy Dorrell, founder of Mission Waco, suggested that one of the problems we have in the church is knowing we need to love the poor, but not knowing how.

So, for those inspired to return to their churches and communities to start programs, he suggested, "Don't do anything before you hang out with the people in the community. Make some friendships. Too often we do for the poor without first figuring out what they need."

Dorrell noted that effective ministry models must be holistic and incarnational; they must encompass the wider systemic scope of the issues; they must be replicable yet contextually appropriate; and they must include the poor and marginalized in design, implementation and leadership. Most important, they must show evidence of impact and sustainability.

As Baptists covenant together to care for the marginalized, I'm encouraged by the Jimmy Dorrells in our midst, by their example of what is possible in Christ. They remind me that being effective in ministry is not dependent on having all the answers at the start. Actually, perhaps just the opposite is true. Maybe it’s the questions that prompt our engagement that are most lacking in our response, or perhaps we need to begin simply by meeting our neighbors where they are to minister with, rather than in their behalf.

Leo Thorne - Freedom

It was good to be reminded in the Special Interest Session on Religious Liberty and the Separation of Church and State that as Baptists we are committed to the separation of church and state. We were also encouraged to speak out for religious freedom wherever we see that freedom threatened among us as Baptists or with anybody else's religion.

Persons from the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Freedom spoke eloquently on the subject and stated that the core theological point for this matter goes back to creation. "God made us free, totally free, to choose God/religion or not," said Holly Hollman.

As I sat there in that room with the other attendees, my mind drifted to the thought again of the incredible love of our God who would care for us so much to give us such freedom to choose. God's love seeks not bondage to a particular state or nation, but freedom. No wonder the Apostle Paul reminds us that it is for freedom Christ has set us free. May we not lose that gift and choose to live below our high calling.

Mark A. Pittman - Respect Fueled By Love

So many Baptists, so many voices. My spirits have been uplifted and my soul touched. I have both rejoiced and repented. What a great experience! Yet, there are still so many missing! My continuing question, and prayer: Is this gathering to be perceived merely as an alternative to the religious right or as something of much greater importance?

Pastor Julie Pennington-Russell clearly hit the mark when she pointed out that respect, while a great and godly thing, cannot accomplish much without love. The two greatest commandments speak of love as the primary motive, beginning with a love of God that cannot but help overflow into my neighborhood. Dr. King saw a day when black and white would live together in peace. I pray for the day when the children of fundamentalists and the children of liberals will join hands "being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose...and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ." The world cries out for us to demonstrate that this is possible! It is why I am an American Baptist.

I have great hope in this "seed" gathering: "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Several times in these sessions my conscience has been touched as I am reminded of my need to confess my attitude toward my more conservative family. Love does not permit me to exclude them or imagine myself superior. In His name we have too much work to do.

David Laubach - Stewardship Of The Earth

At Thursday’s lunch, Vice President Al Gore—who described himself as a recovering politician—spoke to an audience of 2500, weaving a biblical mandate to care for the earth with sobering images and statistics about global warming and its consequences for future generations. He began with the voice of Col. Frank Borman from Apollo 8 reading from Genesis 1, while showing the earth as seen from the moon’s orbit. Shrinking ice caps, disappearing glaciers, the melting of the Himalayan ice fields and the potential loss of fresh water for 40% of the earth’s population became real with photos and scientific evidence.

Ignoring current alarms sounded by scientists and the trumpet warnings of nature is comparable to Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler in the 1930’s, Gore said. He explained how warmer oceans produce more hurricanes, and warmer air produces both floods and drought. Katrina, Rita and the devastation in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are related to global warming as well as poor land management and usage. The Darfur disaster can be connected to the disappearance of water supplies and tribal people’s subsequent migrations to places that produce conflict.

Gore was critical of America’s unwillingness to ratify the Kyoto environmental accords when we are the largest contributor of CO2 to the atmosphere both by volume and per capita. Still, he shared hope that this nation, which has tackled other great challenges, can and will face this environmental crisis. He concluded with this quotation from Luke 12:54-57:

Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, “A shower is coming;” and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, “There will be hot weather;” and there is. Hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it that you cannot discern this time? Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

Marilyn Turner - The Earth Is The Lord's

Today I was frightened, convicted and inspired. And if the thunderous standing ovations Vice President Al Gore received are any indication, I was not alone. This “guy who used to be the next president”—as he introduced himself—was a far cry from the stiff (and let me be honest) dull vice president and presidential candidate that I recall.

But maybe speaking about one’s passion has that kind of transformational power. And let there be no doubt that this man is passionate about the environment—and that this passion is one any living, thinking and praying person ought to share. Using a remarkable mixture of wit, storytelling, slides and (dare I say it) inconvenient truths, Mr. Gore, at today’s “Stewardship of Earth” luncheon, told the shocking story of humanity’s shameful abuse of God’s creation and its terrifying impact.

If I recall his words accurately, Mr. Gore warned that we are beginning to sip from a most bitter cup. His images of melting snow caps, dwindling lakes, snow-less mountaintops, dramatically changing wildlife environments and the already total loss of optimal fishing waters in every ocean on the globe, along with the destructive impact all of this is having upon the weakest and the poorest among us, will continually influence my prayers, thoughts, purchases, voice and actions. The inescapable facts, and my personal complicity and accountability for the state of our environment, were, for me, shameful. Yes, I do believe one person can make a difference.

But I left the luncheon inspired by the spirit of unity and commitment that permeated the packed auditorium—a spirit that overflowed on the faces of those exiting that room. A spirit clearly confirming that we, as Baptists, as a committed body of believers, as voters, as human beings, as consumers, as servants of the Living God and as residents of planet earth can and will make a difference. I certainly shall.

David Laubach - Focus On Evangelism

Kangaroo, Rambo, “microwaveable” and “modernist” evangelism were topics at an evangelism interest session presented by Dr. Ronald Johnson, professor and dean at McAfee School of Theology (Mercer University). Kangaroo evangelism refers to Acts 1:8 and those who would hop over their Jerusalem and Judea to do evangelism in Samaria and the world. Rambo evangelism is confrontational, and “microwaveable”evangelism is instant. The church growth movement, rationalism, closing the deal, and canned presentations are all products of our modernist worldview, unlike evangelism in most of the history of the Christian church. Johnson calls us to return to God’s mission to transform people, culture and the cosmos.

Overwhelming negative views about traditional evangelism along with a culture increasingly hostile to Christianity require renewal of the link between evangelism and theology, and a return to a dialogical process. Baptists need to connect evangelism to God’s mission and God’s redemptive activity. Evangelism as dialogue requires engagement in the difficult questions of our time.

Johnson reminded the audience that most textbooks about theology and evangelism have been written by men and reflect a “barrier of sexism.” He proposed the addition of a feminine voice that offers an ethic of vulnerability, a concern for community, a non-judgmental perspective, a non-dominant communication style and an emphasis on justice.

The way forward will require a reunion of evangelism, mission and ministry (never compartmentalized in the New Testament) for a multicultural world, a return of responsibility for family-to-family evangelism, a willingness to be changed and undergo transformation even as the Spirit works to change others, and a patient repetition of the Gospel with creativity, freshness and attention to context.

Laura Alden - Can We Get Along?

The man handed me a book proposal on "Christian Civility" just before I attended the session on interfaith dialogue and understanding. We talked briefly and laughed, even, about how much better the world would be if people of faith could only get along, especially, Baptists.

I think he would have found the “Can We Get Along?” session heartening. The Baptists in the room agreed that the time had come for building relationships—not just with each other, but with every human being—in a non-judgmental way. The speakers voiced not only tolerance, but advocacy for religious freedom, and for acceptance of what we can learn from Muslim believers, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews and, yes, Baptists of all kinds.

Rick Harris - Thursday Morning Wake-up Call

Thursday’s morning plenary session reminded us of what the Scriptures and our faith proclaim about the poor.

Tony Campolo challenged us with the words of Jesus, not the image of the Christ of our materialistic culture. We are called to radical lives of service on behalf of the poor and marginalized of our society, not to the values of consumerism and money. He shared the story of a bright and gifted student of his who went on to Harvard and could have had any legal job in the corporate world; instead he’s providing “pro bono” legal services for “lifers” in Montgomery, Ala., and leading a fulfilling life in Christ. Campolo also spoke to the churches. The Kingdom of God requires a sacrificial church, not the biggest and finest sanctuary money can buy, because if we are to reach today’s youth, we need to present a Gospel that inspires and demands commitment.

Naw Blooming Night Zan, general secretary of the Karen Women’s Organization of Burma, brought the congregation to its knees with the challenge, “Who are the poor?” She shared images of Karen refugees struggling to survive in camps in Thailand and remaining in Burma at their own peril. The unknown poor around the world cry out to us. Do we hear them? What can we do? Prayer is not enough. Send supplies, support relief efforts, welcome refugees, and learn about the peoples of the world who labor each day just to survive.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, brought the plight of the poor to our doorsteps. The United States, the richest and most developed country in the world, ranks far down the list of nations in the treatment and health of its children. The failures of our education, healthcare and employment opportunities, along with our system of justice have led millions of children from the cradle into prison, rather than life as productive and fulfilled children of God. The church needs to be the locomotive of systemic change in our society, not settled in as the caboose. As adults in the faith community, we must take responsibility for this by confronting our own hypocrisy and providing “safe” places for our children to grow, to learn, to love and be cared for. The church must reclaim its prophetic voice.

Mac Shotwell - Finally!

For over fifty years I had been hoping something like this would happen!

I grew up a Southern Baptist and, in seminary, chose to become an American Baptist. All though my years I have hoped and prayed that we would stop fighting the civil war and become one unifying factor for Christ in America.

I was beginning to think I would not live to see this happen.

I am looking forward to meeting cousins I have never met and to hear where and how we can be cooperative and live as brothers and sisters in Christ.

My wife, LaVerne, and our daughter, Paula, share this hope and will be coming with me.

My prayer is that this will be more than a one time event and that "Baptist UNITY in Seeking Peace with Justice" will become an ongoing reality.

Leo Thorne - Edleman Speaks About The Poor

Former President Jimmy Cater set the tone for the historic gathering of some 10,000 Baptists at the New Baptist Covenant in Atlanta, Georgia. He said on Friday night that the occasion should be one endowed with "the spirit of idealism, cheer and celebration by the greatest diversity of Baptists we have ever seen."

It is terrific to walk the corridors of the Georgia World Convention Center and rub shoulders with Baptists from all over the United States, Canada and several other countries from across the world.

One ofthe highlights for me on the second day was the prophetic voice of Marian Wright Edleman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund. In her sermon on "The Bible Speaks about the Poor," she said that "adults are what's wrong with our children." She described the gathering as a call for "a new movement to serve our children." She challenged the church to be the "locomotive and not the cabose in speaking up for our children."

Joe Kutter - The Improbable

Last night Kansas State beat Kansas University and Texas A&M beat Texas and "Traditional Baptists" who have never worshipped together before, gathered in the presence of God in Atlanta. Last night was a night for the unexpected and improbable.

In the ultimate trivialities of basketball, depending on your team, there is a moment of delight or disappointment. But in the gathering of "Traditional Baptists" (Jimmy Carter's phrase) one suspects the presence of something holy and eternal. Perhaps... perhaps this is the beginning of a new wave of Baptist witness to the grace of God in Christ and God's call to full participation in the Kingdom.

When the former president declared, in my paraphrase, that the center of the gospel is the declaration that we are saved by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the center of our gospel is the center that holds us together with and in spite of our important differences, my heart shouted a loud "Amen".

Michaele Birdsall - Opening Night

Unity in Christ is a choice. And on January 30, 2008, thousands of Baptists demonstrated the power and promise that emerges when individuals own and exercise their freedom to choose what Paul, in I Corinthians 13, calls “a more excellent way.”

As I sat in the auditorium on the opening night of the New Baptist Covenant convocation in Atlanta, I was struck by the depth of praise and worship. I sensed the entire gathering had been bathed in prayer and that God was showing us, in concrete ways, that all things are possible if we only believe.

An idea birthed in the heart of President Jimmy Carter and nourished by others who shared the vision of Baptist unity had become real. Thousands of Baptists from different backgrounds and different races had come together to be both challenged and changed by an intentional focus on issues that unite rather than divide.

I left the auditorium with renewed hope. Hope that dares believe that regardless of what our past has been—and in spite of external forces that want to convince us that love, justice and real systemic change is not possible—individuals can exercise their personal freedom to choose a different path. A path that promotes peace with justice and feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, shelters the homeless, cares for the sick and marginalized, and promotes religious liberty as well as respect for religious diversity. The amazing thing is that when we choose that path, that road less traveled, we ultimately discover that we are not alone. I believe our collective choice of Christian unity will indeed change the world.

Roy Medley - Anticipation

I am filled with great anticipation as we go to the New Baptist Covenant meeting in Atlanta.

• It will be the most inclusive gathering of Baptists since the old Triennial Conventions of the 1800’s. We will meet cousins we didn’t even know we had!
• It will focus on what unites us, not what divides us.
• We will be challenged to consider more seriously how we understand Christ’s inaugural sermon and how we live it as our mandate for ministry and mission.
• Worship will be uplifting!
• Plenary speakers are outstanding Baptist laity and clergy living out our Luke 4 mandate.
  Workshops will provide opportunity for networking around ministries and interests.
• A closing ABC breakfast on Saturday, Feb 2 where we will hear from Neville Callam, the new General Secretary of BWA – over 400 of us have registered!
• An ongoing Season of Jubilee where Baptists will have the opportunity to participate firsthand in ministries with the poor, the dispossessed, and those who suffer.

Through this blog, you will be able to hear first-hand from ABC folk in attendance how the conference is expanding their understanding of what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.