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Voices from around the world sing “All Hail the
Power of Jesus’ Name.” This is how each meeting of the Baptist World
Alliance begins, and it always is one of the most spiritually moving
experiences of my life.
Many years ago, I pastored an English-speaking Baptist church in
Baumholder, Germany, for two years and learned to appreciate the challenge
that Baptists face when they are a small minority in a sea of official but
nominal Christians.
Later, I gave an address to a work group at the Baptist World Alliance
meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. Since coming to serve Texas Baptists, I
attend BWA meetings and am overwhelmed with gratitude for and amazement at
the profound faith and commitment of our Baptist brothers and sisters.
There are 211 national Baptist unions and conventions involved in the BWA,
representing 110 million Baptists around the world.
Texas Baptists have been an integral part of working with the European
Baptist Federation, an organization affiliated with the BWA, in creating
new mission strategies for Eastern Europe. Our Texas Partnerships Resource
Center, led by Don Sewell, has provided encouragement and $50,000 annually
to help establish a church planting office that coordinates the work of
more than 25 indigenous church planters in Eastern Europe. In 2002, the
Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger provided $136,600 for the BWA’s
Baptist World Aid to use in seven projects in Africa and Asia. Texas
Woman’s Missionary Union enjoys a close fellowship with the BWA Woman’s
Department.
Bill Pinson, executive director of the BGCT for 18 years, greatly
increased the involvement of our staff in BWA work. This participation has
brought great rewards to Texas Baptists as we have gotten acquainted with
our Baptist brothers and sisters from many nations of the earth. Their
faith and courage in the midst of challenges that we in America can
scarcely understand has been an inspiration to us all.
Historically, the Southern Baptist Convention has been a faithful and
supportive partner with the BWA in fellowship, evangelism and ministry.
However, a special committee now has recommended that the SBC sever all
relationship with BWA, citing “aberrant and dangerous” theology. I know
BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz and BWA President Billy Kim of Korea,
pastor of one of the strongest Baptist churches in the world. Both of them
are faithful preachers of the Bible and its gospel. Neither of them is a
liberal in his theology.
Baptists do not agree on every detail of every doctrine, and there
always has been room for debate and disagreement on some issues and on the
nature of methods. But to suggest the BWA is unfaithful to the great
doctrines of Baptist life or uncertain about the facts that Jesus is the
way of salvation and the Bible is true and trustworthy and authoritative
for Baptist life is simply false. The German theologian who is cited in
the SBC committee’s statement has answered the charges made against him by
saying, “What is being presented as a direct quote is neither my language,
nor could I identify with such a statement which I would dismiss as
theological trash.”
Texas Baptists will continue to support the work of the BWA because we
believe in the importance of preserving the unity of our witness for
Christ with Baptists around the world.
We are grateful for the consistent commitment of the BWA to a strong
biblical and historic Baptist faith; to mission work that, following the
example of Jesus, is both evangelistic and responsive to human needs; to
religious liberty everywhere in the world; and to Baptist life and work on
every continent. Knowing the Baptist people from every continent has been
a genuine gift to Texas Baptists.
The world of Baptists does not depend on the Southern Baptist
Convention’s money for its life and progress, but Baptists of the world
grieve over the SBC leaders’ decision to sever ties with the BWA and the
millions of Baptists it represents. And we must tell the truth about the
BWA—not allow these false accusations to continue.
World Baptists still desire a continued relationship with Southern
Baptist churches, and Denton Lotz has made it clear that all Southern
Baptists are welcome to come to the BWA centennial celebration in England
in 2005.
For the sake of a lost world and for the advance of the kingdom of God,
it is more crucial than ever to maintain truly global relationships.
Baptists need a common and united witness. I am confident the BGCT will
continue in its glad support and involvement in the life and work of the
BWA.
Several weeks ago, Billy Kim and Denton Lotz were invited by Dallas
Baptist University and the BGCT to be in Texas the last week of January.
Kim brings with him the beloved children’s choir of his church. On
Tuesday, Jan. 27, they will sing and he will preach at DBU in the morning,
at the Baptist Building in the afternoon, and in a rally of support at
First Baptist Church in Plano that evening.
We encourage all Baptists who are committed to the gospel of Christ,
believe and live under the authority of Holy Scripture, care about the
unity of Baptist people, are passionate about living out the great
commands and the Great Commission of our Lord, and want to be inspired and
encouraged by the life and witness of Baptists around the world to step
forward in prayerful, personal and financial support of the BWA.
In 2003, the BGCT contributed more than $175,000 to the work of the
BWA. The BGCT Executive Board will be asked to recommend a larger
commitment in 2004. Many of our churches have included the BWA in their
own budgets because they want to support work of Baptists around the
world. Texas Baptists and other supportive Baptist congregations can take
similar steps.
In spite of difficulties, rumors and misrepresentations, the work of
God goes forward.
We are loved.
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