Pewboy folded the morning paper and placed it on the counter with one hand while raising a cup of coffee to his lips with the other. Despite being largely misunderstood by many of his coworkers, he was glad to be a Baptist most days.
He was not a political activist, either in the governmental arena or in the realm of religious controversy. His belief was simple. When he got to heaven, he didn't believe that admission hinged on whether he subscribed to the Baptist Faith and Message 1963 or BF&M 2000. Even less could he envision Jesus saying to someone, “I'm sorry, you were led to faith in me by someone deemed unworthy by the International Mission Board trustees, so you can't come in!”
Jim White
To the degree his beloved Baptist family had been conflicted and divided, he felt ashamed. Conversely, to the degree it had risen to the challenge of taking the gospel to unreached people groups here at home and around the world, he felt great satisfaction.
He had just read in yesterday's paper an article about something called the New Baptist Covenant Celebration to meet in Atlanta. A coworker, a fellow Baptist, had denounced it saying that his pastor had called it a “political” gathering aimed at supporting Hillary Clinton for president and that true conservative Baptists shouldn't attend. Pewboy wondered ….
Pewboy: So, what's the deal with the New Baptist Covenant? Can anybody tell me?
Altar Ego: Well, since you asked, let me help you think through this issue so you can make up your own mind about it.
Pewboy: Ah. There you are. I was hoping to hear from you. ‘Thinking through' is exactly what I need. I'm independent enough to bristle when other folks volunteer to do my thinking for me.
Altar Ego: Let's begin with the facts. Existing in the United States are more than 50 Baptist groups that vary in size from the Southern Baptist Convention with 16.3 million members to the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists with 70 members in three churches.
Pewboy: I had no idea. I just figured there was the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptists, the National Baptists, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and maybe a few others. So how many Baptists are there altogether?
Altar Ego: In the U.S. more than 37 million people call themselves “Baptists” with another 20 million or so scattered throughout the world. The interesting thing is that nobody has ever made a real effort to get these Baptist groups together and introduce them to each other.
Pewboy: Is that what the New Baptist Covenant is all about? Getting all the groups together to get acquainted?
Altar Ego: Well, that's a part of the reason.
Pewboy: Here it comes. They'll be handing out voter registration cards and “Vote for Hillary” buttons, right?
Altar Ego: “Sometimes you scare me. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Pewboy: So why are Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton two of the big ducks in the puddle?
Altar Ego: As former presidents of the United States, they are big ducks in any puddle! Yes, both happen to be Democrats, but more to the point, both happen to be Baptist. Republican big-duck Baptists are also speaking.
Pewboy: Like who, for instance?
Altar Ego: Two U.S. senators, for instance. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and Charles Grassley from Iowa will be speaking. And Mike Huckabee was invited. He accepted at first but then declined. At least you should be convinced that it is not a Democratic event.
Pewboy: Okay. But why focus on politicians? Why not have other prominent Baptists front and center instead of political figures?
Altar Ego: Simply this: It's all about name recognition. When two former presidents and two current senators are involved in something, it gets attention. Oh, and, perhaps I should mention, you missed Al Gore. He's going to be there as well. But politicians are not the only ones. Other prominent Baptists are involved as well. Ever hear of John Grisham? He'll be there. He's a member of a Virginia Baptist church. Did you know that?
Pewboy: John Grisham? Sure I've heard of him. Who hasn't?”
Altar Ego: But before we got off on prominent Baptists who will be speaking, I was talking about reasons for getting together.
Pewboy: Oh, yes. Sorry. Go ahead. What are some of the other reasons besides getting all these different kinds of Baptists together?
Altar Ego: I'll mention two. First, since the Southern Baptist Convention is by far the largest single group of Baptists, it is only natural that whenever the media needs someone to speak for Baptists, it chooses one of the SBC leaders. The problem is, with its major shift to the right in recent years, the SBC doesn't necessarily represent the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of the majority of Baptists in the U.S. The New Baptist Covenant is a way of saying “Southern Baptists are important, but so are the other Baptists in the Baptist family. Let's give them a voice, too.”
Pewboy: I'll have to admit I never thought of that. I guess that explains why Al Mohler and Richard Land have been on Larry King so often. But, what was the other reason you mentioned?
Altar Ego: This is the biggie. For a century-and-a-half now black Baptist organizations and white Baptist organizations have gone about their kingdom business with very little coordination of their efforts. Each largely ignored the others. Does this seem reasonable to you?
Pewboy: I'm stunned. Why didn't I think of this before? Fortunately, we live in a time in history when racial divides are eroding. It just makes sense to work together for kingdom purposes, doesn't it?
Altar Ego: It is without question the more efficient way to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of human beings! But, even more to the point, it is the most loving and Christ-honoring way to minister to those needs as well.
Pewboy: Yes, I can see that. By working together we will not only be more effective, but our cooperation may also ease racial tensions among us and promote healing among the races. (Pause) But what about what my friend said? What about the political overtones I have heard about?
Altar Ego: I'm glad to see you have come back to that. You have to make up your own mind about that. What do you think?
Pewboy: Well, I think the timing is unfortunate. Since Bill Clinton is speaking and his wife is running for president, I can see how some might get the idea that the Celebration will have political overtones. But I also think this: Baptists are pretty independent people and they don't appreciate mixing politics and religion — especially at Baptist meetings. If they tried to do that it would surely backfire on them, and I think they are smart enough to know that.
Altar Ego: I see your point.
Pewboy: But I think the value of the meeting in getting together with other Baptists and the potential kingdom work we can do is exciting and inspiring. One more thought: I think I'll go!