ATLANTA (ABP) — Leaders of the American Baptist Churches in the USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship say they are excited about potential opportunities for formal dialogue with other U.S. Christians, including Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals.
Both ABC's and CBF's governing bodies are taking steps toward becoming founding members of Christian Churches Together in the USA. A much broader fellowship than the current National Council of Churches, CCT is seeking to embrace the widest range of Christian communities.
“Our General Board has authorized us to become a part of it officially,” said ABC General Secretary Roy Medley, adding that final documents and cost estimates are still forthcoming.
“It will give us a place to have the spectrum of our family represented,” said Medley, noting American Baptists range from evangelical to liberal.
Unlike bodies that pass resolutions and take specific political positions, Medley said he is attracted to CCT's conciliar approach. CCT “will be more about conversations and mutual knowledge of one another's faith and traditions,” said Medley.
As a result, he added, a wide range of American Christians will likely participate. “That means that Roman Catholics and Evangelical Pentecostals will be involved,” said Medley.
Rothang Chhangte, ABC director of ecumenical formation, is assisting in the development of the new venture, Medley said.
A CCT steering committee's release welcomes churches and national Christian organizations that “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savoir according to the Scriptures; worship and serve the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and seek ways to work together in order to present a more credible Christian witness in and to the world.”
One unique characteristic of CCT is a consensus approach to decision making.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Coordinating Council voted Feb. 20 to pursue participation in CCT. John Finley, pastor of First Baptist Church of Savannah, Ga., and a member of the CBF ecumenical task force, spoke in favor of a recommendation that the Fellowship “identify as a founding member.”
Daniel Vestal, CBF coordinator, urged support as well, saying he is impressed by the broad inclusiveness of CCT. “I've, frankly, been waiting for the emergence of some ecumenical body that fits CBF,” said Vestal, “and in which we fit.”
CCT's intention to include a wide spectrum of Christian communions is a unique and noble effort, said Vestal. He noted that the National Council of Churches lacks the involvement of Roman Catholics and many evangelicals, while the National Association of Evangelicals includes no other Christian traditions.
This is the most ambitious ecumenical effort ever put forth,” said Vestal.
CCT has loosely identified five “families” — Evangelical/Pentecostal, Historic Protestant, Historic Racial/Ethnic, Orthodox and Roman Catholic — to assure broad participation.
Focusing on dialogue, said Medley, is the only way to bring together such a broad spectrum of Christians.
“There is a real effort in this to keep everybody at the table,” he added.
During a planning session in Texas in early January, participants were asked to gather by “families.” The challenge for Baptists may be in knowing exactly where they fit.
“I went to the Historical Protestant faith family,” Vestal told the coordinating council, “and Roy [Medley] went to the Evangelical one.”
Medley explained later that Chhangte represented ABC in the Protestant group as well. The designation of these five families will not play a major role in CCT, said Medley, but simply assures wide participation.
Regardless of how Baptists identify themselves among the broader Christian community in the U.S., Medley said the efforts of CCT connect well with the “longtime commitment of American Baptists to bridge denominational barriers and create an ability to work with others for the sake of the gospel.”
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