My Response to the New Baptist Covenant
A truly historical event took place in Atlanta Georgia last week as Baptists from all over North America gathered. Amazingly it was brought together by the urging of a laymen, albeit powerful and influential, former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Former Southern Baptists, these men sought to bring together something bigger than they had hitherto experienced in their religious lives and basically succeeded in my opinion. There is only one discouraging note, the more conservative Baptists were not in attendance, at least not officially. The Southern Baptist Convention, Conservative Baptists, General Association of Regular Baptists and others were not there. I didn’t see the more conservative of our American Baptist brothers and sisters there. I encourage you to check out the web site (
http://www.newbaptistcelebration.org if you have a fast computer connection, there are pictures on the home page so slow connections will frustrate you!) to find out further facts and figures of the event. I would caution you not to believe everything said in every media out there, if you have questions about something you read, see or hear about the event, please feel free to ask me or others who were there about the veracity of the report. In no particular order I offer my impressions of the time together.
The speakers were “on” and the challenges they gave were inspiring and “real”. Most were given standing ovations. With the line-up, the expectations were high and were met. My most memorable speakers were Former President Jimmy Carter, both first night when he was listed on the program as speaker and on the last night when he spoke a few summary words. The first night he said that this event was the most meaningful event of his religious life. I also easily remember Tony Campolo, Marian Wright Edelman (they both spoke at the same plenary session—it was almost overload!), Al Gore (too bad people had to pay to hear him and that the room would not accommodate more and that they turned out the lights just as my lunch was served!), Naw Blooming Night Zan (Join General Secretary of the Karen Women’s Organization, Burma), Hana Massad (Pastor of Gaza Baptist Church, Gaza City, Gaza), and Former President Bill Clinton. I was surprised at being moved by some. It was an event that welcomes superlatives.
Reports were that there was somewhere between 16 and 20,000 people in attendance. Obviously since 99% probably professed to be Baptist (there were at least invited guests who were not), we were not all of one mind on all things. But we agreed to be together and respect one another during our time together. That was the case by what I saw and witnessed. Somewhat amazing for Baptists! There was a sense of agreement that although there were theological things that might separate us, there were many that united us. There was a sense that we need to speak with one voice for the poor, the environment, and those marginalized, here in America and around the world. Although no one put forth the idea that we should not share the good news of Jesus Christ, it was fairly clearly stated that the best way to get an audience to share that good news, was first to bring the healing, hope and honesty that Jesus would bring into relationships and situations.
Lastly, I was proud to be an American Baptist. When Cooperative Baptists would say how wonderful it was to be in a group that was so diverse, geographically, theologically and ethnically. I thought, we have most of that in the ABC. Not these numbers, but we have lived there for a long time and may not be so geographically diverse but are certainly as much if not more ethnically diverse. I was pleased when Roy Medley, the American Baptist General Secretary called for a special time of prayer for the Senator (one of the Southern Baptists) who presented during the session over which Roy presided. We were front and center but never “talked” American Baptist exclusively.
I don’t know “what will come of it.” The least I expect is that around the country there will be more crossing the lines between Cooperative Baptists, National Baptist, Progressive National Baptist, National Missionary Baptist, American Baptist and other Baptist denominations to find ways we can work together. We strive to do that in Evergreen. The movement begun with this coming together has a long way to go, but we are on the way. Praise be to God!
February 8, 2008
Marcia J. Patton