NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) — Baptists must relinquish the status quo in order to unleash God's power, participants at the New Baptist Covenant's Midwest regional gathering were warned.
That may mean revising a concept proposed about a decade ago — creation of a Baptist Convention of the Americas, said Mitch Randall, pastor of NorthHaven Church in Norman, Okla. The congregation is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
"The time to think bigger than the status quo is upon us," Randall said. "Look in the mirror. For too long, we have been caught in a territorial struggle. That's not an indictment but acknowledgment of reality. We are fragmented.
"Many conventions, institutions and churches are worried sick about their sustainability," Randall said. "If something doesn't happen soon, everything we've worked for will pass away."
Former president Jimmy Carter urges greater cooperation among Baptists at Norman meeting. (Photo by Joey Pyle)
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Mainstream Baptists must "dream bigger" and embrace a vision for sending men and women to be the presence of Christ in the world, Randall said.
A four-part strategy will be required to fulfill that vision, he said. The strategy includes:
— The local church must become a priority again.
"The local church has lost is place of prominence in the strategy to engage in the Great Commission," he said. "The time has come for the local church to reclaim her role as a leader in the Baptist movement."
Local congregations can play crucial roles in theological training and sending missionaries, he noted.
— A "missional theology" must touch everything Baptists do.
"The mission of Christ must be pre-eminent among all else," Randall said. "We must walk and talk like the presence of Christ."
Missions is especially germane for the young generation, he suggested. "They want to extend the grace of God and embrace a cause greater than their own. If we don't understand this premise, we will lose the next generation."
— Baptists must support the social justice movement.
"We must address ethical issues from a faith perspective," he urged.
"The next generation has an incredible opportunity to right many of the wrongs we have committed," he said, citing challenges affiliated with the environment, materialism and poverty.
"We are in the perfect position to reach out to this generation, but we must be authentic. Our deeds must match our words."
— The next generation must be empowered.
Randall affirmed the work of seminaries, but he also observed many seminary graduates do not want to work in local churches. "If we're honest, who can blame them?" he asked. "Churches have not always been welcoming to young ministers, especially young female ministers."
But churches must engage young ministers and young adults in starting churches, he stressed.
"Churches need to start churches," he said. "Tap the talent of young Christians. Take a chance and see how God blesses their efforts."
Baptists also need to collaborate in new ways, Randall said, remembering how the late Herbert Reynolds called for a new Baptist Convention of the Americas about 10 years ago. Such a convention would span so-called moderate Baptist work across typical denominational boundaries and bring them together for common ministry and purpose.
"The time for the Baptist Convention of the Americas is now," he said. "If something like this is ever to occur, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is going to have to take the lead. Texas Baptists like to talk big; it's time for Texas Baptists to lead out big."
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Marv Knox is editor of the Baptist Standard.