SBC leaders cite differences with American Baptists in rift                   

                                                                                                                     
by Robert Marus and Bob Allen                                                                                      Vol. XV, No. 1, January 2002

Formed in 1877, the D.C. Baptist Convention has historically aligned dually with both the SBC and the Northern Baptist Convention -- later renamed American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. -- honoring the unique character of a city that belongs to all Americans rather than any region. The convention added to that symbolism in 1998, aligning additionally with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a predominantly African-American group begun in the 1960s by followers of Martin Luther King.

All that may soon change, however, in light of questions by leaders of the SBC North American Mission Board whether to continue the denomination's historic partnership with the D.C. convention.

In addition to restructuring the D.C. convention's staff to make SBC-funded staff supervised directly by NAMB, the SBC missions agency listed the following conditions for continued funding:

-- D.C. Baptists "must agree not to promote the cultural festivals that include non-Christian religious organizations." NAMB leaders cited participation by DCBC in a cultural festival sponsored by the Inter-Faith Coalition, a local ecumenical agency.

         The SBC, while traditionally suspicious of ecumenical involvement, has in recent years drawn a hard line against any relationships that might compromise a Southern Baptist witness. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of the DCBC, said his convention has already directed staff not to expend any convention funds on promoting Inter-Faith Coalition activities.

-- The convention's newspaper, the Capital Baptist "should not contain any future articles that will denigrate the SBC and its leadership nor any of its agencies." While most Baptist papers are given oversight by boards elected by state conventions, many allow editors freedom in selection of news and editorial opinion. The Capital Baptist's editor, Robert Maddox, has at times questioned actions of conservative leaders in the SBC.
-- "NAMB requests that speakers at DCBC sponsored meetings reflect the theological tenets of the SBC." While the SBC has grown more conservative in the last two decades, the American Baptist and Progressive Baptist conventions are generally viewed as left of center in Baptist life.

       D.C. Baptists invited Molly Marshall, a former professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary who is highly unpopular among SBC conservatives, to speak at their recent annual convention meeting. She canceled, however, because of illness in her family.

-- "NAMB further requests that criticism towards the SBC follow the biblical pattern of Matthew 18." The chapter, often cited by Baptists in discussions of theological differences, calls for first attempting to resolve conflicts face-to-face before resorting to intervention by a small group and finally the whole church. Should the offender refuse to listen to the church, the Bible says, "Let him be to you as a gentile and a tax collector."

Haggray said he met with NAMB President Robert Reccord and other executives at NAMB's headquarters Sept. 19. Haggray said he initiated the meeting to answer concerns that Reccord had previously expressed in side conversations in other venues. Haggray said he left the meeting thinking that he had satisfactorily answered all of Reccord's concerns, and that he was blindsided when NAMB representatives flew to the Washington area to present him with the proposal.

Haggray also said that at the Sept. 19 meeting Reccord subjected him to "hours upon hours of interrogation based on allegations from sources that he would not name." Haggray said that, according to Reccord, some of the sources were NAMB board members, and some of the sources were Southern Baptists within the DCBC.

In their formal complaint, NAMB's representatives listed the DCBC's other denominational affiliations as the source of concerns that led them to propose such a restrictive agreement. Specifically, the NAMB proposal listed concerns with American Baptists' views on abortion, homosexuality and women pastors.

While the SBC has in recent years moved to increasingly conservative positions in its theology and social agenda, American Baptists have taken a more liberal approach in statements on controversial issues. Regarding abortion, the NAMB list of concerns states that, "Whereas the SBC opposes abortion as a convention, the American Baptist Convention chooses to allow its member churches [to] determine their individual position."

American Baptists opposed abortion as a primary form of birth control in a 1987 resolution but observed that members of ABC/USA churches differ about under what, if any, circumstances it might be allowed.

The SBC's "Baptist Faith and Message," however, affirms the "sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death." While the SBC has never kicked out a church over its views on abortion, the convention has adopted a number of strongly worded anti-abortion resolutions.

The ABC/USA General Board in 1992 passed a resolution declaring the practice of homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian teaching." Another resolution, however, urged dialogue on the topic, acknowledging that "there exists a variety of understandings throughout our denomination on issues of human sexuality such as homosexuality." While American Baptists don't have an outright ban on accepting gay-friendly churches into membership, some regional ABC affiliates have ousted congregations for adopting a "welcoming and affirming" stance toward gays.

The SBC, on the other hand, took a strong stand against homosexuality in 1992, changing its constitution to bar churches that act "to affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior."

Regarding women as pastors, the NAMB document claims that "the ABC takes an opposing stand" to the SBC. A 1985 ABC/USA policy statement describes men and women as "full partners" in all areas of ministry.

The Southern Baptist Convention's "Baptist Faith and Message" statement says, meanwhile, "While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."

Another concern with the DCBC staff listed in NAMB's proposal was "lack of confidence in the stewardship of SBC funding creating uniquely SBC churches and sponsoring unique SBC events."

Haggray responded that, because of the diversity of denominations involved in DCBC and because of the convention's respect for local-church autonomy: "We do not determine the denominational character of the congregation. Once we plant the church, the church makes that decision for itself."