A group of Baptist pastors announced formation of The Baptist Network to foster collaboration and encouragement between minsters and congregations in a time of intense social and political conflict in the American church.
“While affirming historic Baptist convictions, the Network seeks to create spaces of connection for leaders who desire to prioritize the kingdom of God above political ideology, institutional tribalism and unnecessary division,” the coalition said in a June 12 news release.
“The Baptist Network is not a new denomination, nor is it an effort to encourage churches to leave their current affiliations. The Network strongly encourages pastors and churches to prayerfully consider remaining in friendly cooperation with the Baptist fellowships, conventions and associations where God has called them to serve.”
David Goatley
Conveners of the network’s September launch include David Goatley, president of Fuller Seminary; Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas; and Warren Stewart, senior pastor emeritus of First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix.
The organization will be open to pastors and churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention USA, National Baptist Convention of America International, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, American Baptist Churches USA, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and other Baptist groups interested in fellowship and collaboration.
The network seeks to provide healthy dialogue, meaningful relationships and mission-centered ministry that faith leaders and congregations need in the face of rising threats to religious freedom and partnerships, leaders explained.
“Across our nation, many pastors and churches find themselves navigating a difficult season. Some have grown concerned by the increasing fusion of political nationalism and Christian witness that has distracted the church from its gospel-centered mission. Others have become weary of the dysfunction, division and institutional challenges that have hindered meaningful fellowship and collaboration.”
Formation of the network also was prompted by apprehensions about the movement away from Baptist distinctives within the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, according to the release.
“The Network emerges in response to growing concerns among many Black pastors that recent decisions within the Southern Baptist Convention have further narrowed the historic Baptist principle of local church autonomy. While affirming the essential doctrines articulated in the Baptist Faith and Message, many believe that local congregations should retain the freedom to prayerfully determine how they engage matters of ministry practice, including the role of women in ministry.”
Dwight McKissic
Announcement of the new group came less than a week after the SBC passed a first reading of a constitutional amendment to codify its opposition to women serving as pastors in title or in function.
“For many predominantly Black Baptist churches, these questions are informed not only by biblical conviction but also by unique cultural, historical, and ecclesial experiences that have shaped their interpretation and application of Scripture,” Network convenors said.
Ministers and churches are urged to participate if they value local church autonomy, seek fellowship without needless division and have “grown weary of being criticized or marginalized for addressing issues of race, immigration, poverty and justice from a biblical perspective.”
The network’s priorities will include the empowerment, mentoring and connecting of pastors and church leaders to help congregations thrive, said McKissic, a Southern Baptist minister who has clashed with denomination leaders on issues of race.
“The Baptist Network affirms the historic Baptist commitment to the autonomy of the local church. We believe every congregation is responsible under the lordship of Jesus Christ to discern how it will engage questions related to ministry practice, including matters such as the role of women in ministry, biblical justice and the exercise of spiritual gifts,” he said.
More details about the network will be released in mid-July, McKissic said.