I have received many emails recently from pastors and lay leaders asking the how to move forward in implementing the “ancient-future” type of 21st century Baptist identity I have presented in this column.
While the idea of finding our future in our past and allowing those stories to be the wind that blows us into uncharted waters has captivated many congregations, others remain hesitant to embrace change of any kind. One pastor even asked how we might bring about fresh expressions of our Baptist witness in more traditional congregations intolerant of anything new or different. After much reflection on these questions and concerns, I have become convinced that our first movement as leaders and congregations is to learn and practice the art of genuine, story-filled conversation.
Alex Gallimore
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Before we look at how effective such conversations can be, first let us be reminded of our ultimate goal of becoming ancient-future Baptists. It has never been my goal to reinvent Baptist identity, worship and witness into something entirely new that has no connection to the past. Nor have I sought to “stay the course” as a religious fanatic certain that the only way to proceed is the road Baptists have walked for the last 400 years.
Instead, I have advocated for an honest look at our history and identity as Baptists—that of the original Baptists as well as that of our individual congregations and to seek new ways to revitalize those identities in ways that speak to emerging generations the same way they spoke to previous generations. This will sometimes mean we create new ministries and experiment in new forms of worship with the understanding that everything we do will in some way remain very familiar to our past. It will be new, but feel old and it will be old, but feel new.
With this as our goal, we begin with genuine conversation. These conversations are never one sided and they welcome a variety of perspectives, voices and stories. Remember, Baptists have always been diverse therefore there are many different types of people in most churches and it is important to make sure they all feel as if their voices are heard. Although people often spend their lifetimes worshiping and serving in the same congregation and share some of their most meaningful moments with the same people there, they reflect and interpret these events and craft stories around them very differently. Genuine conversations cultivate environments in which everyone is able to share their story and communicate which aspect of their identity is most important to them.
From these conversations I think we learn that only a very small minority of Baptist churches are truly intolerant when dealing with change, especially when that change honors and seeks to reconnect them with their most formative stories. After participating in such conversations the churches who do remain intolerant are probably only listening to a minority’s perspective. It is our most important stories and the traditions and identity that created a space for them that we hope to see renewed and all of our future movements are grounded in such continuity. Story-filled conversation sets the tone and pace of this entire process.
Although I referred to this narrative a few articles back, I think Jesus’ interaction on the road to Emmaus is a very helpful biblical model for the kind of conversations we’re seeking. In Luke 24 the resurrected Jesus encounters two disciples as they are traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were discussing the events of their week, Jesus’ crucifixion, and the mysterious disappearance of his body three days later. Suddenly, Jesus walks up alongside and joins the conversation. He hears their perspective and then begins to interpret their story in light of their common religious history, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets.”
What happens next is of paramount importance. The group arrives in Emmaus, but “Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.” After some urging, Jesus agrees to stay with them, enters their home, and joins them for a meal. We can imagine that although they had stepped off the road, the conversation continued. As they sat at the table talking, they finally recognize Jesus to be their resurrected rabbi. History has never been the same.
This story reveals the patience that is required of us who seek story-filled conversation. As churches and leaders, we lead people as far down the road as we possibly can, always willing to go further. However when there are some who need to linger on a place or issue for a while longer, we stop and linger with them trusting that as long as the lines of communication remain open, eventually we will see the presence of Christ and journey with him into uncharted waters.
Alex Gallimore ([email protected]) is associate pastor for youth at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Mount Airy, N.C.