SERVANT LEADERSHIP IS A REAL DIFFERENCE

We so called “moderates” have maintained throughout this SBC controversy that the Bible never was an issue for Baptists. Baptists believe the Bible. The Bible is our authority. The fundamentalists claim that we had professors in our seminaries who “don’t believe the Bible” was, to be blunt, deceptive and politically motivated.

What does exist in Baptist life, and should exist in Baptist life, is different interpretations of the Word of God. We believe in the Baptist principle of “Priesthood of the Believer” and that persons have the right to interpret scriptures differently. We believe we should respect our differences. Fundamentalists believe in their interpretation of scripture and further believe they have the right to force that interpretation on others, including the right to instruct professors on what they can and can not teach.

One of the differences in interpretation involves the role of the pastor. Generally speaking, moderates believe the Bible teaches that the pastor is to be a servant leader. The fundamentalists interpretation, clearly stated by W.A. Criswell in the January 12 issue of the Baptist Standard is: “The man of God who is the pastor of the church is the ruler.”

Again, as moderates, we think it is fine for Texas Baptists individuals and churches to agree with Dr. Criswell. That is their right as Baptists. We are willing to give others freedom and cooperate with them on things we agree on.

But, we at Texas Baptists Committed, do want to advocate our position, which we believe is Biblical. That position is that the pastor is a servant leader, given by God “to equip all the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4).

Thus our convocation this year focuses on servant leadership. We believe servant leadership has profound implications to Baptist work and practice in Texas. Servant leaders share ministry with the laity. Servant leaders share decision making with the congregation thus practicing democracy in local churches. In our opinion, servant leadership leads to churches more active in ministry and more harmonious in community. It leads to more cooperative churches, which used to be a word that truly described the people called “Baptist.”

We urge you to attend this years convocation on “Servant Leadership” in San Antonio, June 3 - 4. Even if you do not always agree we will respect that and welcome your attendance and participation.

Home