Reconciliation Themes:  Where Have I Heard This Before?
By Charles C. McLaughlin,
Associate Coordinator

Like so many Baptists across Texas, I have desired reconciliation among Texas Baptists. That is why I attended the Reconciliation Convocation at FBC Carrollton on September 25.

In a previous article I concluded that one of the casualties of the takeover of the SBC has been trust. Trust is a necessary ingredient for voluntary cooperation. One way to help build trust is dialogue, a process of talking and listening. The hour and fifteen minutes we spent in a small group discussion was beneficial. It left me wanting more. The speakers were energetic. As I listened, the content of the messages I heard sounded familiar.

Same Song

"Reconciliation is not an effort to change somebody's mind. Reconciliation is an opportunity to restore relationships; it's freedom to discuss," one speaker said. Several speakers emphasized that we need to do less speaking at each other and more speaking to each other. Less preaching and more dialogue will help us to understand each other better. That does not mean we will work out all of our disagreements, but we could hopefully strengthen the common ground for cooperation in missions and ministry as Texas Baptists. Somewhere, I've heard this before.

In a morning session one emphasized the theme of Texas Baptists remaining united in Christ. The speaker said, "We never will see eye-to-eye, but we are still one...Differences are part of our heritage, but we're still one." It was a call to unity and a call to stay together.

Another spoke of seven fundamental issues including the total depravity of man, salvation by grace, virgin birth, the resurrection and the authority of scripture. He added seven other Baptist distinctives including the local autonomy of the church, baptism by immersion, the priesthood of the believer and the primacy of evangelism and cooperative missions. "Aren't these 14 great issues at the center of everybody's philosophy, however moderate or conservative?" he asked. An afternoon speaker emphasized living by grace and accepting one another in the Spirit. It is not hard to figure out where these ideas have been previously proclaimed.

Proclaimed First At TBC

It was a different crowd around me in Carrollton, but the similar themes could not be denied. Unity, working together, building trust, Baptist distinctives, accepting diversity, freedom, dialogue, grace ... it sounded like I was in a Texas Baptists Committed convocation. These are good themes, great themes, but they are not new themes. TBC has been emphasizing them for years. Many of those seated around me would not come to a TBC convocation where the program is about ministry and encouragement. So I was glad they were hearing this message here.

In Texas we do have differences, especially related to our cooperative efforts for missions beyond Texas. The SBC changed directions in 1979 and has been consistent in excluding those who disagree with that direction. Some Texas Baptists are in agreement with the changes that have been and will be made. Some Texas Baptists cannot go that direction and some of these have decided to network with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Recognizing our differences, Texas Baptists Committed has called Texas Baptists to work together with fairness and respect. The idea is that in spite of our disagreements about SBC or CBF, we can focus on the ministries God has given us to do in Texas.

Big Circle, Little Circle

TBC has supported the BGCT's efforts at reconciliation in Texas. When TBC recognized that some could not support all the BGCT programs and institutions, it supported the BGCT allowing five deletions from the budget. It was an effort at saying to the minority, "we understand and want you to cooperate where you are comfortable." Another effort at being fair and inclusive was the Cooperative Giving Study Report which expanded the freedom of local churches. Some have attempted to "draw a small circle" to leave others out, but the BGCT "draws a big circle" attempting to include everyone.

Much of what I heard at the reconciliation meeting has also been written about in our TBC newsletter. Bill Bruster's article was printed on the front page of a TBC newsletter in 1993. It is one of many articles that TBC has printed to herald this message of cooperation.

Spiritual reconciliation is needed among Baptists. TBC has been in favor of Texas Baptists working together in associations and in our state convention to further the work of the Kingdom of God. While we are experiencing differences relating to national Baptist organizations, we as Texas Baptists should find common ground in which to give cooperative support to reach Texas for Christ. This goal is worthy of applause.

Integrity and Freedom

While dialogue enhances trust, another necessary ingredient for building trust is integrity. The speakers in Carrollton wanting reconciliation have promised that this effort would not form a political group and is without a political agenda. The way out of this conflict is not another political group.

If reconciliation is the goal, then acceptance of differences with an atmosphere of freedom must be maintained. Exclusion has blunted cooperation and created wounds which need healing. If persons are being asked to pretend nothing has changed in the SBC since 1979 and one must give allegiance to the SBC in order to support reconciliation efforts, then the result is exclusion of many Texas Baptists. Reconciliation would be unrealistic under such pretenses. Within the framework of Texas Baptist life we must not exclude those who support the SBC, the CBF or those who by conviction cannot support either.

There are many themes presented at the meeting in Carrollton in which I found agreement. But do not blame me for my hesitancy related to trust. I remember hearing words about peace, cooperation, and "no politics" when I attended the SBC conventions when I was in my early twenties. The words painted a political agenda with a spiritual veneer. Read the articles about the SBC Peace Committee. I want reconciliation in Texas. I am willing, but I am timid with good reason.

October 1998