I’m Glad to be a Virginia Baptist!

I just got back from the Baptist General Association of Virginia.  Over 1000 of us met in Hampton, VA for two days of worship, business, and fellowship.  It is always good to go and catch up with folks from the state that I have known through the years and to spend time learning about what we are doing as we serve in the BGAV and to be reminded of our mission.

There is so much good about being in the BGAV and I just want to brag for a moment.

Our church belongs to this state convention that predates the Southern Baptist Convention.  The BGAV and the state convention in Texas remain the only two historic state conventions that were not overthrown by the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC in the 1980s and 1990s.  Both of these states did not give in and the fundamentalists left and formed their own state conventions.  The SBC of VA met the same week we met in a different part of the state.

Having said that this doesn’t mean everyone thinks the same at the BGAV.  This state group of Baptists are diverse and yet what makes us work is that we allow for such diversity.  The BGAV allows Baptist churches who are SBC and those who are CBF and those that are neither to come together to do global missions, resourcing, and minister as one.  Our BGAV president is currently the president of the global Baptist World Alliance (BWA).  The BGAV resisted the takeover because VA Baptists value freedom and cooperation with others who may differ.  Fundamentalism strives for uniformity and has a problem with such cooperation.  VA Baptist history gives many examples of those who were willing to be beaten, jailed, and persecuted for freedom and toleration.  As someone who is not originally from this state I was drawn to this state because of her love for religious freedom and cooperation with others. I went to seminary in the 90s in VA, moved away, and find myself back serving a church here.  I’m glad God led me this way.  I know how hard it is to be a authentic Baptist in other places.

In these changing days churches outside VA are joining the BGAV and this ‘state’ convention is moving beyond state boundaries.  BGAV is now becoming a national if not global organization and yet allows for partnership with other ‘larger’ bodies such as the SBC and the CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship- the moderate Baptist group that pulled out the SBC after the takeover).  Moderates in other states no longer have the resources and networking to the same level that we have in BGAV and we are blessed for this.

The BGAV may be struggling financially as all religious bodies are doing but it is clear that there is a desire to do missions and to be proactive and to work together.   It is evident from walking through the resource fair and from those who are involved.  I’m thankful for this.

And if you were there you will find not all agree on everything.  Not all votes are 100 percent.  There is a variety of expression around and that is good.  That is healthy and that is welcome.

I’m glad to be a Christian who is a Baptist who serves in VA.

Blessings,

Derik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-Election Theological Musings

Our recent political election brought out more viral mud slinging and resulted in much press.   This switching of power in the House is not new.  It’s happened before and usually when the opposing party is in power as President (Reagan, Clinton and Bush had the same experience).

Now before you get nervous about what I’m about to say let me comfort you quickly.  I’m not about to give you my laments or praises on the election results.  As a Baptist pastor I do not endorse or delve into partisan politics.  But I do want to offer some pastoral insights.  I want to offer a word of faith in these tense/divided political times.  The reality is that there is much division in our country these days and folks are polarized more and more.  So here is some insight.

1.  Don’t put all your faith in any political party or candidate. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t vote or have opinions, etc.  You are an American and as such you should vote.  You should be involved.  But as a believer realize that your final citizenship is in the Kingdom of God.  You and I first are citizens of God’s kingdom and then we are American citizens.  Our ultimate hope is not found in the Democratic party or the GOP.  Our hope is in God.  And we need to realize that all who serve in every party is flawed and far from perfect.  Caesar is Caesar and God is God.

2.  Disagree but do so with love. Many believers are disagreeing over issues and that’s fine but many are doing so with mean spirits and angry words.  One only needs to scan Face Book status’ and see the viral comments on both sides.  Do Christians not realize that even doing that they are alienating themselves from others?  If you make such vicious statements there are others who will read them and realize that you are a believer and this will be a divisive wall/barrier to sharing faith and love.  Furthermore the candidates we do not like are human beings with families and children and who are not evil incarnate.  I have read folks joke about wishing certain candidates were dead, etc and I’m shocked.  When we spread rumors or lies or hate about someone we do not know it is just as much a sin as if we knew them.  Sometimes because these folks are on TV and seem so far away we don’t see them as actual human beings.    They are God’s children.  You can vote for them or vote them out but don’t curse, hate, or revile them.

3.  Stick with the issues. Don’t demonize those you disagree with.  Stick with issues when you discuss your views or debate.  Don’t just use slurs and insults but move past that to discussing what would make our world a better place.

4.  Pray. Pray for those who desire to serve us.  Pray for those who anger you.  Pray for our nation and for those in power.

5.  Be thankful. Give thanks that you can go and vote and no one will arrest you or harm you.  Give thanks that you live in a land where you have a right to vote.  People died so that you could vote.  People risked their lives so that everyone could vote.  I find it sad that so many don’t vote. I vote in every election.  I am involved in making decisions for my country.

6.  Have a sense of humor. If your candidate loses the world is not over.  If your vote doesn’t go the way you wish don’t move to a cabin in Montana.  Don’t give up.  Don’t sulk.  Remember there will always be another election.  Remember that is the beauty of the land we live in and a good thing.

7.  Do more than talk/vote.  Be involved in your community. Serve in ways to help others.  Look for ways to support teachers and schools.  Give back to your community.  Do things that build up this place we live and be an active agent of love and transformation daily.

8.  Finally keep the right perspective. One can go to the extreme of mixing their faith as equal to their politics.  Another can just dismiss the whole thing and just do the ‘church thing.’ Reject both of those views.  Be involved in your country.  Vote.  But remember again that in the end it is God we serve and it is God that our redemption comes.  We are not better than the rest of the world.  They are children of God too!  And one day all who love the Lord will rejoice together!

Blessings,

Derik