Developmental psychologists
and sociologists have observed that adolescence lasts longer than it did in
previous decades. Twenty-five year olds
may still live at home and lack a clear vision for their future. Even those involved with jobs, advocacy, and
education are still not sure “what they will be when they grow up.”
This could describe the
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is as it completes the celebration of its 25th
year. In response to my recent blog
about the Baptist Diaspora, friend Andrew Bennett observed (shared with his
permission):
In its early days the CBF was
struggling with its identity. When Keith Parks was hounded out of the SBC
and came over we immediately became a missions delivery organization.
There seemed to be little hesitation or reflection it was just like a switch
was flipped. The difficult process of examining what we are and what our
future should be has been an ad hoc process as time has gone by and issues are
confronted one by one. Now in the time of political polarization,
in the day of domestic and international terrorism, in the day of
uncertainty...in this day we had better sit down and figure who we are and
where we are going.
In many ways, CBF has tended
to operate with a reactive rather than a proactive agenda. We often talk about what we are not, but are
we ready to decide what we will be when we grow up?
There were encouraging signs
at the recent General Assembly in Atlanta that a foundation for such a proactive
approach is developing.
First, the Baptist Women in
Ministry meeting on Wednesday was an amazing testimony to equality and
diversity. Although some will argue that
BWIM is not a part of CBF, its primary constituency is CBF-related churches,
organizations, and seminaries. BWIM
seeks to encourage proactive change within that constituency. The work of BWIM is a very hopeful sign.
Second, author Brian McLaren
provided an intriguing and informative address on Thursday evening. I hope it will prompt more of our CBF family
to read his books and begin to understand his approach to Christianity in
postmodern culture. As a friend
observed, “Brian is about 14 steps ahead of the rest of us.” We are not where McLaren is theologically,
but effective ministry for CBF in the future may depend upon embracing his
approach.Third, Fellowship Baptists have made a good choice of Shauw Chin Capps as the new Moderator. Capps is executive director of Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, a children’s advocacy and rape crisis center in Beaufort, SC. Here is a person involved daily in serving “the least of these” with grace and care. Her experience should broaden the vision of the Fellowship for the future.
Fourth, young Baptists
continue to be present in significant numbers.
Thanks to the Young Baptist Ecosystem initiative and the work of partner
seminaries, a younger generation of Baptists are clearly involved in the
General Assembly. Hopefully, this
extends to deeper involvement in the Fellowship and its churches.
These are hopeful signs for
the future of our “tribe” and can empower and inform the Fellowship if we are
willing to address concerns such as the
continuing loss of some of our brightest leaders
to other denominations; the failure of leading congregations to embrace their
progressive identity; racial, gender, and economic inequality; and the general
decline of Christian influence in society.
Are we ready to move out of Mom and Dad’s
basement and address these concerns? I
hope so.
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