The comments on the Great Commission Resurgence in the June 24th Religious Herald have caused me great concern. John Upton’s opinion, although not as aggressive as Jim White’s editorial, shows an obvious bias against the Southern Baptist Convention.
Cooperation among Virginia Baptists is said to be top priority, but I have noticed often among Baptist General Association of Virginia leadership that cooperation is limited. Of course, Virginia Baptist leadership proudly boast of its “own missions efforts” and of cooperation with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, but when it comes to cooperation with the SBC, a tone of aggression dominates the discussion.
If we are truly all Southern Baptists in the BGAV, then why would the tone of cooperation with non-Southern Baptist organizations be so important? Why do Virginia Baptists push so heavily their own missions agency over the SBC if cooperation is truly the goal? Jim White writes, “I predict there is very little likelihood that the Baptist General Association of Virginia will adopt the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as the task force recommended that all SBC entities and partners do.” Seems like the line has been drawn in the sand, not by the SBC but by the BGAV.
The war was over in the Conservative Resurgence when the CBF proudly and publicly disbanded from all associations with the SBC. Virginia Baptists are hypocritical when touting peace among all Baptists when they so blatantly disagree with the majority of Southern Baptist churches nationwide yet so lovingly associate with the CBF. It is obvious that the CBF is anti-SBC and it sounds like the BGAV is as well.
Let’s face reality. The SBC is a voluntary national cooperative denomination of local churches. But when the state association is clearly not in agreement with the national movement of Southern Baptists, I wonder why continue the association?
The Great Commission came from our Lord Jesus Christ. It is clear in Matthew 28 that all Christians are to proclaim the gospel, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Cooperation is the most effective way of fulfilling this command from our Lord. Voluntary cooperation with the Cooperative Program is still vital and will continue, only stronger.
The fear of many in the opposition to the Great Commission Task Force is the unknown. But the vision is clear and should be embraced by all Christians. Trust our Lord Jesus Christ in his command to evangelize nonbelievers. Reach the nations for Christ. Unity is the most effective way of completing this task.
If Virginia Baptists are not wanting to cooperate any longer with the Southern Baptist Convention, then I suggest they at least be honest and consider whether they can still call themselves Southern Baptists.
Then and only then will the movement to revive passions for the Great Commission be free to succeed as blessed by God and not John Upton or Jim White.
Bryant Owens, Clintwood