Often when folks get together they will talk about everything and anything and avoid the real issue that needs to be addressed. This is the “elephant in the room” dilemma. Let’s not say what we should say because then we might have to deal with it!
I believe there is an elephant in the room for Virginia Baptists and I’m ready to say it. Nervous yet? If you read Jim White’s editorial [“The unpredictable journey through Baptist life,” Herald, March 31] I’m proud that he was the first to name the elephant in the room. Before we have a panic attack, it isn’t a ‘bad’ elephant at all. It isn’t one of those elephants that winds up with someone going to rehab or losing a job. This is a good elephant but it is one I think we should talk about.
Derik Hamby
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What, you might ask, did our editor mention? Jim mentioned a change that I believe is needed. What if we really opened the doors of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and became the Baptist General Association (or some other name that leaves out geographical boundaries). What? Isn’t that forbidden in Leviticus or Numbers or something? What heresy do I speak?
I realize I was not born in Virginia. This is my second ministry journey in this wonderful state. I was born in Indiana and raised in Kentucky. I have served in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. I graduated from seminary in Virginia and have served two churches here. I love this state. I love what Virginia Baptists stand for and the Baptist identity we have held dear. I am here by choice. Please hear that. I am so glad to be in this state. I have been outside of Virginia and I know what it is like to not be a part of the BGAV and those who have never been there do not know how blessed it is to be here.
The BGAV has opened the doors to allow those from outside our state to join the BGAV and we have had churches from different states join us. I believe there are many more that would find a home with us. What if we made the change that would make this crystal clear? Why not become the Baptist General Association?
There are churches around this country that would partner and work with us, but the old paradigm of state conventions is limiting. I believe there are Baptists in the South, West and North that might partner with us to do ministry. I believe our newspaper, the Religious Herald, and other entities could serve the entire Baptist population and do so well. I can imagine right now the BGAV starting churches in other states and partnering with existing congregations in places that are new and exciting.
Baptist churches that do not find a home possible where they are would love to have the support and friendship we could offer and this would be easier and more practical if we dropped state labels. I am not suggesting that we recruit people to “leave” any of their partnerships. Churches will always have multiple partnerships. Many congregations work with various Baptist and non-Baptist entities for a host of ministries in their communities and world. I believe our goal is to expand and not narrow. An African-American church that is partnering with a historic African-American denomination from Alabama might become a part of our body to do ministry globally. A Korean Baptist church in Missouri might join us as we strive to work to spread the gospel. Imagine the possibilities!
In an age of competition and suspicion we in this state might lead the way in cooperation with a welcoming and innovative spirit. Baptists are so divided these days. Many do not have a place to connect to and many long to hold to those principles that have made us Baptist for over 400 years. I believe that what we have at the BGAV is wonderful and could be shared with others.
I’m willing to say let’s open the door wide and imagine the possibilities. Imagine five years from now an annual meeting of the Baptist General Association with standing room only. Imagine as we elect an African-American pastor as president and a Hispanic layperson as vice president, and we welcome new churches in from Maine, California, Puerto Rico and Canada. Imagine that in such a meeting we find ourselves no longer cutting our budget but raising our budget to do Kingdom work. Imagine a day when the crowd is diverse in age, race, gender and a host of dialects. Imagine if you dare! Then let’s make it happen.
I say that the BGAV needs to start talking about this elephant in the room and move the conversation to the forefront. I believe that the time has come for us to move forward and dream some exciting new dreams!
Derik Hamby is pastor of Randolph Memorial Baptist Church in Madison Heights, Va., and a trustee of the Religious Herald.