When President Eisenhower left office on January 17, 1961, he warned the nation about the increasing power of “the military-industrial complex.” This was surprising to many due to his career service in the military culminating with becoming a five-star general. Some have suggested he did not go far enough and should have used the term “the political-military-industrial complex.”
In a Facebook post this week, a friend identified himself as recovering from the “religious industrial complex.” I think he could have added “political” that term as well. Many ministry leaders in the second half of the twentieth century not only grew up in the paradigm, but we helped to perpetuate it. I know I did.
As a Southern Baptist, I grew up in a church that used denominational literature, supported denominational programs, and followed a denominational (not liturgical) calendar. The Southern Baptist Convention and its agencies were both horizontally and vertically integrated for program and financial purposes. There certainly were some regional differences, but astute denominational leaders found ways to keep the coalition together. In so doing, the denomination often failed to respect the theological integrity of other faith “tribes,” paid lip service to racial tolerance (not equity), and maintained strict guidelines related to the role of women in ministry.
Many have commented recently about the departure of several prominent Black Baptist pastors from the SBC as well as the announcement by Bible teacher Beth Moore that she is no longer a Southern Baptist. Their eyes have been opened. As Cecil Sherman, an early leader of Cooperative Baptists, often commented, “The sun comes up at different times for different people.”
I am often surprised when I hear that someone has come to realize that the denomination was built on racist, misogynistic, and authoritarian perspectives. My first response is often, “Where have you been?” My second response and a much more charitable one is, “Thank goodness.” Now this “original sin” of denominationalism may be true of other tribes as well, but I can only speak from my own experience and about my willingness to buy into the system for many years.
And that is my confession. I helped to perpetuate this system for thirty years of my life and ministry. In order to do what I felt God had called me to do, I was willing to overlook the “dark underbelly” of the system, look for glimmers of hope, and attempt to minister to individuals in a caring and effective way. I regret my contributions to keeping the system alive and healthy. I do not regret the relationships I formed and the opportunity to invest in people. Programs, processes, denominations, institutions, and even churches come and go, but the investment we make in the lives of individuals endures.
After benefitting from the system most of my adult life, I made the leap in 1998 to what I believed was a more progressive Baptist tribe. Between 2005 and 2008, I moved even further into positions where I could work with a more diverse family of believers. Those experiences have been rich and rewarding.
Mark Wingfield of Baptist News Global commented this week on the idea of “homeless Baptists.” I agree with his affirmation that “for most people in the pew, local congregational identity almost always trumps denominational identity. . . .In practical terms, more and more congregations are “homeless” these days even if they still send money to a national body.”
He went back to a piece he wrote in 1997: “Maybe these homeless Baptists are the first casualties of a post-denominational age. Or perhaps these unaligned Baptists symbolize the loss of our denominational innocence.”
Honestly, I don’t see myself as a casualty. I celebrate my Baptist heritage, but I am grateful for a broader vision of the world and of the kingdom of God. My hope for those who have finally “seen the sunrise” is that they will find continuing opportunities to bless others and engage in effective ministry in the days ahead. Those who are redeemed acknowledge their sin, learn from their errors, seek God’s leadership, and press on. We can be thankful that God’s mission is bigger than any individual or tribe and will endure. As Shakespeare wrote, “What’s past is prologue.” We have the opportunity to write the future.
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