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Mainstream
Network taking shape
DALLAS (ABP) -- Another Southern Baptist Convention splinter group opposed to its conservative/fundamentalist leadership is taking shape. The Mainstream Baptists Network, a loose coalition of state groups modeled after the highly successful Texas Baptists Committed, has named co-chairmen to lead the year-old national network and is developing a mission statement and structure. "We are turning a corner as a Mainstream or a Baptists Committed organization," said co-chairman Bill Wilson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Va. "This is a new day. We are in effect closing down a chapter and starting a new chapter in what will be a pretty long story. "By organizing and being a little more deliberate about our structure, we're sending a message about this organization we want to be sure is heard clearly across the country." One part of that message, Wilson said, is in choosing a Virginian as co-chairman. Texas pastor Phil Lineberger is the other co-chairman. "This is not a Texas organization," Wilson said. "For the Mainstream organization to be successful, it must be a partnership from every part of this nation." Texas Baptists Committed is credited with defending the Baptist General Convention of Texas against forces that moved the Southern Baptist Convention sharply to the right during the last two decades. Ten similar groups have started in other states, with mixed results. Second, Wilson said, "This is not a movement or an organization that is either in competition or aligned with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship." The Atlanta-based Fellowship is a 10-year-old organization supporting alternative missions, theological education and church-resource programs to Baptists disaffected by the SBC's leadership change. "Some of us are ardent supporters of the CBF," Wilson said. "Others are not. That is not prerequisite for being involved or not being involved in this organization. Our intent is helping people be Baptist." The Network's main objectives for the coming year are to publish a national newsletter, grow its mailing list and add members. Nearly half of a $207,000 budget for 2001 has been pledged. Another message is that the group is not at present seeking to form a new Baptist convention, according to a draft of the Network's plan of operation. However, leaders acknowledge no one knows what the future may hold. David Currie, who heads Texas Baptists Committed and now assumes administration of the Mainstream Baptists Network as a part-time consultant, told a Feb. 5-6 consultation of about 170 invited leaders he is confident that the voice of non-fundamentalist Baptists in America will prevail in the long run. "The
Mainstream Baptists Network isn't even an organization,"
Currie said. "It is simply a network to say, 'Folks, fight
fundamentalism where you are.'" |
