I have just read a news alert sent by the Religious Herald. The news alert was related to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s recent action related to Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond. In short, the action of the board shook all that I have held dear about Virginia Baptists and the reason I have remained an active and contributing member. In the 14 years I have been in Virginia, I have understood that differences in individual church’s perspectives were secondary to the commitments to local church autonomy and cooperation among churches with varying theologies. Clearly, such is no longer the case within the BGAV/VBMB!
Perspective on homosexuality is not at all the issue here. The issues are, as I see them, commitment to Baptist heritage and trust/faith in the Lord God to provide for those who stand strong on Holy convictions.
My thoughts and feelings relate to several statements in the article:
“Comments circled around Baptist principles such as the autonomy of local churches and the priesthood of the believer, on the one hand, and the need to take a clear stand against homosexuality and practical ramifications of failing to dismiss the church, on the other.”
The Virginia Baptist way has been for autonomy of the local church and the priesthood of the believer to be non-negotiables. Also, I have known the Virginia Baptist way to be to not single out “sins” as tolerable or untolerable in terms of willingness to cooperate.
“It’s absurd to say church autonomy means we do not have the right or business to make any judgment on any church which wants to call itself Virginia Baptist .…”
Regarding judgement: We say we are a biblical people. Jesus said a couple of things that dissuaded humans judging humans — don’t be concerned about the splinter in your neighbor’s eye when there is a log in yours, let the one without sin cast the first stone.
“[One board member] warned that other churches would leave the BGAV for another state convention if a clear stand wasn’t taken.”
While I appreciate the brother’s honesty, I am concerned about making principle-based decisions with others’ response as determinant. Such is the way of the world, not the way of those who know a God that provides for not only the sparrows but also for us. When an organization stops standing on principles and reacts to popular opinion and concern for the dollar, it loses its way and has no distinctive to stand on.
Bernard Henderson added there is “no provision in our bylaws to do this. It’s making up the law as you go along.”
Let us not forget the statement of the German pastor Martin Niemoller during the era of Nazi Germany: “First they came for the communists and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the socialists and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.” Ignore the bylaws for one thing and they will be ignored for many more — one of which might just go against those who ignored them in the beginning. According to Scripture, “All have sinned and fallen short ….” If we disregard bylaws and kick out some, what is to stop someone from eventually kicking us out for the sins we commit?
The BGAV/VBMB has taken a step toward “matching” the SBCV. This is a match that will surely be lost. If the BGAV is to be, it will be based on its conviction to historic principles rather than to momentary trends. A “competition” with the SBCV will surely be won by the SBCV.
Terry Raines, Richmond