The Baptist historian Robert Gardner said that “in the United States there are at least 57 different Baptist groups.” The largest Baptist group or denomination in North America is the Southern Baptist Convention with over 16 million members and over 42,000 churches. From a global perspective, Baptists can be found in over 200 countries, numbering over 43 million members.
According to Walter B. Shurden, 2009 will be the 400th birthday of Baptists.
Imagine a birthday party attended by 43 million people! Also, imagine how they may or may not get along with each other. Perhaps that is a bad thought, but nevertheless true. Since our beginnings in 17th century England, diversity and misunderstanding has been prevalent among Baptists. Today Baptists vary in theological, philosophical, educational and political viewpoints. How could all the Baptists in the world get along long enough to have a birthday celebration?
Perhaps, if we focused more on our common beliefs instead of our diversity, then a celebration could occur that would have a positive influence on our world. The Baptist statesman James L. Sullivan said that Baptists are bound together by “a rope of sand with the strength of steel.” There are several beliefs common among all Baptists: the inspiration of the Bible, the lordship of Christ, the freedom of individuals to approach God, regeneration of individuals through faith by grace in Jesus Christ, the movement and work of the Holy Spirit, believer's baptism by immersion upon a profession of faith, celebration of the Lord's Supper, the autonomy of the local church, separation of church and state, the mission of the gospel, the redemption of humanity, life after death and the coming of our Redeemer's kingdom.
It sounds like we have a lot of positive things to celebrate! Since it usually takes Baptists a while to make up their minds to do something creative for God's kingdom, I am making this recommendation early. What creative thing could Virginia Baptists do in 2009 to celebrate our 400th birthday with other Baptists, both in our state and around the world? Let's have a birthday party!
Rick Hurst is director of donor relations for the Virginia Baptist Foundation.