By Barry Howard
Trying to come up with an appropriate name for a group of Baptists is like trying to nail Jell-O to the floor. It just keeps jiggling and refuses to be still.
Because faith is dynamic and emerging, our partnerships and networks are always in a state of flux, flowing toward the next stage of maturity.
For many years, Baptists who live out their faith in the broad middle between fundamentalism on the far right and liberalism on the far left have mostly been called moderates.
The label “moderate” has served to differentiate centerfield Baptists from those who hug the foul lines in left or right field. But the term does have a little baggage. First, the term implies something that is “tepid” or “lukewarm.” Second, the term “moderate Baptist” was born in Baptist controversy and is reminiscent of Baptist brouhaha. Finally, and more important to me, the term connotes a delineation from other groups rather than presenting a positive theological and missional identity. For example, the term is used to identify someone as being unlike “that other kind of Baptists.”
Maybe that adjective still fits. For me, however, it is time to upgrade to an adjective that describes similar-minded Baptists based on who they are as opposed to who they are not.
Actually, many labels have been attached to such Baptists in recent years and a few stuck, temporarily. “Progressive Baptists,” “Free and Faithful Baptists,” “Centrist Baptists,” and “Mainstream Baptists” have all seemingly had a short shelf life.
Of all the modifiers I have heard tossed around, “Cooperative Baptists” is a name that resonates with my attitude, my theology and my methodology. First, cooperative is a good Baptist word that ties the past, present, and future together. Second, the word has a connotation associated with harmony rather than controversy. Third, the term hints at an ecumenical spirit, suggesting that cooperative Baptists partner with other faith groups and community groups to make a positive impact. And finally, for me, the term “cooperative” calls on those living up to their name to do the hard work of cooperating with other Baptists, including those with different convictions on the left and the right.
When I think about Cooperative Baptists I envision a big tent under which Baptists of both similar and dissimilar perspectives dialogue, strategize and partner, with a covenant of mutual respect for one another. Cooperative Baptists will likely share common convictions about biblical inspiration, priesthood of the believer, separation of church and state, and the role of women in ministry. Cooperative Baptists would represent a variety of ecclesial models, worship trends and missional initiatives. But even Cooperative Baptists will have to amicably disagree with each other about baptismal practices, ordination requirements and gay and lesbian issues. In Cooperative Baptist life, diversity is considered a strength, not a dividing line.
Currently, I serve a church that networks with multi-mission partners. Our major partners are BWA, CBF and SBC. As churches such as ours navigate what it means to be a Baptist both now and in the future, cooperation is an essential covenant trait that is disarming and energizing.
I frequently drive by a church in my community which, on their signage, claims to be an “Independent, Fundamental, Pre-Millenial, King James only, Baptist church.” I don’t want to have so many modifiers and qualifiers on my sign that a passerby can’t read them all before the traffic signal changes.
However, a good adjective can communicate something about you that is inviting and welcoming. Just call me a “Cooperative Baptist.”
Whatever those in my portfolio of Baptist partnerships are called, my hope for the future is that the tent grows even larger and more inclusive, and that the matrix of partnerships emerges into a network that outgrows, out loves, and outlives the paradigms of the past.