After 140 years of
relationship, the convention is leaving the church. Some have responded to the church’s desire to
continue to cooperate with other Tennessee Baptist churches through the TBC as “ridiculous”
and “co-dependent.” They fail to understand
several things about Baptist churches in Tennessee.
First, believe it or not, members
of a congregation have different opinions. In most Tennessee churches of the
Baptist persuasion, including those with progressive members, there are still SBC
sympathizers. These individuals will continue to support the Cooperative
Program, Lottie Moon, and Annie Armstrong until they die. Their moderate friends in the church accept
this and love them. They are willing to
overlook differences about denominational connections because they want to get
along within their fellowship. The main
lesson here is that most church members care more about each other than they do
about denominational ties. They can live
and work with each other locally on the things that are important to them.
Second, moderate churches
would rather be rejected than to take the initiative in leaving a denomination
that they have invested in over the years.
For one thing, this causes less trouble in the local church (see item
one above) and their rejection illustrates the narrowing perspective of the
state and national organizations of which they have been a part. Moderate churches who have been the cornerstone
of Baptist work in the south are being cast out and finding new ways to do
Kingdom work. Who is losing here? I would submit that these churches are going
to continue their mission and ministry work no matter who their partners may be.
Third, in the case of First
Baptist Church, Jefferson City, there is the close relationship to Carson-Newman
University. The two are separated by a
street but joined in many ways. For example,
the college uses the church’s sanctuary for various meetings and many of the
faculty and staff of the school are members of the church.
I served as campus minister
at Carson-Newman in the 80s and our family were members of the church. My office was on the campus across the street
from the church. I was in the church
several times a week in relation to my campus responsibilities and was in
worship and Bible study there on Wednesday nights and Sundays. The dividing line was often indiscernible.
This creates a
challenge. The university continues to
be affiliated with the state Baptist convention but the church is no longer
considered a “cooperating church.” How will this play out on the local level
where people work, worship, and serve daily?
While some will see the
convention’s rejection of the church as an opportunity for the church to move
on, many members will experience grief and a feeling of abandonment. They need a time of healing and for friends
to come alongside them to speak a good word.
Many friends have done that by signing a letter of support which was
presented by Rick Bennett, the TCBF coordinator, at the installation of pastor
Ellen Di Giosia.
To my friends at First
Baptist Church, I acknowledge your courage and faithfulness. You have followed God’s leadership in your
selection of a pastoral leader. You have
nurtured and encouraged generations of lay and clergy leaders from Tennessee
and across the nation. You have been “good
and faithful servants.” I have no doubt
you will continue to follow that path.
Comments