On the brink of its 40th anniversary, the Alliance of Baptists met near Chicago April 17-19 facing unexpected turmoil about its future. This year’s annual gathering already was planned when the board of directors announced the sudden departures of Co-Directors Elijah Zehyoue and Carole Collins in February.
Although reasons for the departures have not been stated publicly, multiple sources with knowledge have indicated to BNG there were problems with internal protocols that demanded correction and changes.
Whatever the reasons, removal of the organization’s two top leaders appeared on the outside to have happened hastily, even though it is now clear confidential work had been going on behind the scenes for weeks.
Lisa Dunson (left) joins other Alliance members in worship at Lake Street Church (Alliance of Baptists photo via Facebook)
Questions about those actions and the processes behind them dominated the hall talk and three special listening sessions at this year’s annual gathering. Two in-person times were set aside for the board of directors to hear questions and comments from Alliance members, and one online session was held that drew about 75 people.
Although BNG agreed not to report on the content of those listening sessions, those present said the conversations were frank and no substantive answers were given — primarily because of the confidential nature of personnel decisions.
And here is a point at which the Alliance likely struggles with the influence of its own history and the nature of its membership. The Alliance was formed in 1987 out of the schism in the Southern Baptist Convention by people who were avowed nonconformists — refusing to bend to the conservative movement sweeping the SBC. As a smaller denomination, it has been a close-knit group with extraordinary amounts of buy-in from its participants. It has chosen a collaborative form of leadership rather than a hierarchical one.
When a group like this has to rely on its smaller board of directors to handle personnel and financial matters that cannot legally be disclosed, there’s a feeling of breaking trust. This is a common theme in the criticisms being lodged against the board of directors. In a group that feels like family, everyone thinks they ought to know most everything. And in a group that shuns hierarchy, it’s hard to talk about personnel management. And in a group with co-directors, can you remove one without removing both?
Board Chair Lisa Dunson opened the meeting at Lake Street Church in Evanston, Ill., with a brief statement acknowledging the oddness of the moment.
Communion during worship at Allance of Baptists meeting (Alliance of Baptists photo via Facebook)
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the significant leadership transition within our organization,” she said. “We honor and give thanks for the service and contributions of our former co-directors, Rev. Dr. Elijah Zeyhoue and Rev. Carole Collins, whose leadership has helped shaped this organization in lasting ways. We are grateful for the gifts they shared and for the ways they have contributed to the life of the Alliance.
“I also want to name the reality of what many of us may be holding in this moment: Grief, disappointment, uncertainty, anger — and for some, even resentment. These emotions are real. They deserve space, and they deserve grace. And as challenging as it may be, each of us is also deserving of grace — grace with ourselves and grace for one another.
“This has not been easy for any of us, including the board of directors. Together, the board has carried the weight of the conversations, the communications, the discernment and the decisions that have brought us to this moment.”
She assured the assembly that “no conversations were had, and no decisions were made, in a vacuum. The board spent many days and hours — both collectively and individually — prayerfully considering what was before us, listening for the Spirit’s guidance in our hearts, our minds and ultimately in our decisions.”
The board knew their decisions would produce “responses and reactions,” she said but believed they had to do what they did regardless.
“Many of you have reached out, seeking to understand more, wondering what could have led to the decisions made by the board. Our greatest struggle has been our desire to share more, while also recognizing that these matters involve confidential personnel issues. As such, we are bound by employment law to maintain confidentiality. This is not about secrecy or a lack of transparency; it is about honoring the dignity of those involved and protecting the integrity of our organization.”
“Our greatest struggle has been our desire to share more, while also recognizing that these matters involve confidential personnel issues.”
In the aftermath of recent events, the board has worked to “strengthen our policies and procedures, ensuring greater clarity, sustainability and alignment with who we are becoming,” she said. “And this has been a collaborative effort among the Personnel Committee, the Finance Committee and the staff.”
Underlying the staffing concerns expressed at this year’s gathering was a deeper question about the organization’s future. Upon its founding in 1987, the Alliance carved out a unique space among Baptists to support women in ministry, LGBTQ inclusion, racial inclusion and a boutique approach to missions that focused on smaller and more progressive objectives by empowering those already doing the work.
According to Andrew Gardner, writing the group’s history, “The founding covenant, which guided our organization for over 30 years, committed the organization to the freedom of the individual, the freedom of the local church, the larger body of Christ, servant leadership, social and economic justice, and the principle of a free church in a free state.”
Over time, the Alliance adopted an “anti-racist” strategy that reshaped the mission and ministries of the denomination. Some now fear that strategy could be sidelined in a leadership transition, and others fear continuing down that same path misses the present moment that demands fighting Christian nationalism and other broader issues that encompass racism.
Also, there is conversation within the group about whether being “anti” something is a compelling enough reason to engage churches and members rather than stating what the group is “pro” about.
Next year’s annual gathering will return to Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C., which was the founding place of the new denomination. That will be the 40th anniversary year.
Across decades, any organization must face change. The Alliance cannot fight the same battles it fought 40 years ago because times have changed. And it cannot be the same group it was even a decade ago. The world is spinning faster than that now.
Theoretically, a smaller group should be more nimble in adapting to change. Yet there are challenges in operating even a group of this size by consensus. Over the next year, we’ll see how this works out.
Mark Wingfield serves as executive director and publisher of Baptist News Global.