Editorial for October 13, 2005
By Jim White
I have always been a little put off by the apparent arrogance of authors who quote themselves. But as an exercise in crow-eating, I am revisiting some of my previous words. In a June editorial entitled “What's in a name?” I lamented, “I grieve that Baptist isn't a name to which the unchurched are drawn. Wouldn't it be great if we were known by something positive-like love, for instance? Or service?” Then along came Hurricane Katrina. And Baptists responded.
Her wind, fierce and howling in its destruction, has been answered by the mighty rushing wind of the Spirit heard in the clank of cooking pots, the buzz of chain saws, and the whispers of hope offered in the name of Christ.
Were it not for the testimony of thousands of people who have come to view Baptists as first on the scene with help in time of crisis, this statement might be perceived as mere bravado. But people couldn't help but notice the swarming yellow shirts of Baptist disaster relief teams who descended on the gulf coast bringing hope and hot meals. The Picayune Times newspaper reported that before FEMA was there, before the Red Cross came, Baptists were already at work feeding people. That's us they are talking about!
Reports have filtered back from other sources as well. Ed Harrow, pastor of Harmony Grove Church in Mid-Tidewater Association, reports a conversation with long-time friends Joe and Phyllis Jenkins who moved from Virginia to Mississippi to start a seafood business. Business was booming until Katrina huffed and puffed and blew it all away. Their business and their home were completely destroyed.
Although they are not Baptists themselves, Phyllis has been very impressed. She told Ed, “A few days after the hurricane we were still somewhat dazed. As I stood in line waiting to get into a tent which served as a make-shift post office, a gentleman came to me and offered me a hot hamburger! For days we had eaten only crackers and peanut butter. That hamburger was the best meal I have ever tasted. As I waited, I discovered that the man was a Baptist from Virginia. You Baptists are everywhere! You all are so gracious and so well organized that I had to let somebody know just how much we appreciate what you have done.”
Nor have our responses been limited to going. We have also given! As of Friday, Oct. 7, we Virginia Baptists have given $1,042,000 to assist hurricane victims. One letter, received by the BGAV treasurer's office represents the sacrifices made. It is from Kathy Deason of the Ketoctin Baptist Church in the Northstar Network of Churches in northern Virginia. She wrote:
“Dear Fellow Christians, Please accept our church's gift to the relief effort. Our church has about 10-12 members who have just established ourselves as an active church. This was going to be used to build a bathroom in the building that housed the church many generations before. God will provide all that is needed!”
Enclosed was a check for $15,300.
If we're not careful, this kind of sacrifice will make “Baptist” a name held in high esteem. What makes these sacrifices of time, talent and tithes so noteworthy is that each has been given without the slightest hint of self-service. There were no photo-ops, no grand-standing, no show-boating, no hot-dogging. Just simple service. And simple sacrifice.
And Virginia Baptists are only part of a bigger picture. Southern Baptist disaster relief began in the aftermath of Hurricane Beulah in 1967 when some Texas Baptist men descended on the Rio Grande Valley to help their neighbors. Their efforts were sporadic and unorganized, but an idea of what could be accomplished if we all cooperated together was born. Southern Baptist disaster relief was the result. Coordinated by the North American Mission Board, disaster relief provides a means of extending Christ's love-sometimes in the form of a hot hamburger.
Being well-thought-of is nice. On the whole, I'd rather be thought well of than be thought ill of. But is it important that people think highly of Baptists? No. And yes. In one sense, it really doesn't matter what the world thinks of Baptists. A high regard for Baptists and a buck will get you a purchase at the Dollar Store. But it does matter what the world thinks of Jesus. If we have given people good reason to trust the name “Baptist” we will then have opportunity to tell them about that other Name. The name of Jesus.
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4).
Jim White is editor and business manager of the Religious Herald.