Another View for August 11, 2005
By John Upton
On July 27, 2005, Virginia Baptists were given a tremendous gift from Baptist brothers and sisters around the world-a gift which I hope we will pass on to many others.
The gift was more than the gift of acceptance. Acceptance can be a positive affirmation, but it can also be a simple toleration. What Virginia Baptists received was more than an acceptance by the global family into the Baptist World Alliance. What we received was an enthusiastic welcome.
Along with Texas Baptists, we received a prolonged applause. The extended applause was the affirming vote that welcomed us into the BWA family. That kind of welcome felt good and reminded me how powerful the gift of a welcome can be. We need to practice giving that gift more often in our church life as others seek to join us in ministry and fellowship.
I was also reminded of another important value as we were admitted as full members into the BWA. The General Council of the BWA is made up of representatives from 214 member bodies around the world, representing over 150,000 congregations, and a membership of over 35 million. Standing before the General Council on behalf of Virginia Baptists was a reminder that God values diversity. Diversity is his idea. God created us knowing that people with strongly differing commitments and styles need each other for balance and completion.
The Kingdom of God is not where we are all alike and where we all vote the same and believe the same and apply our convictions the same. If lockstep is what is desired, that is not heaven, but quite the contrary. If you're looking for the Spirit, head for those who are willing to be various together, people who bring differing notes and who lean toward one another and listen to each other and work at making it a harmony. The Kingdom is not about tolerating each other's differences but about celebrating them, because out of our differences wholeness is forged.
I look forward to many years of working alongside our brothers and sisters around the world. Together we will take the gospel to the darkest corners of the earth, while others join us in taking the love of Christ to the darkest corners of our communities.
John Upton is executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.