(Originally published September 9)
I write this Rumblings on August 28th, the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” address, presented on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington.
It was a remarkable speech. I consider Dr. King the most inspiring and effective speaker I have ever heard. That speech is framed and hangs on the wall of our TBC offices, along with a picture of Dr. King and a picture of the Lincoln Memorial.
What I hear Dr. King saying in that speech is that it is time for all Americans to acknowledge that everyone matters. This timeless passage summarizes that dream:
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Luke 15 shows Jesus presenting three parables – the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. All three parables stress the same point: it is God’s nature to care about everyone – with no exception. Everyone matters. In fact, you cannot become “unmatterable,” no matter what you do. All three parables also show God’s passion for restoring the broken and alienated to His fellowship.
Why do we Baptists send missionaries all over the world? Because everyone matters.
Why does the BGCT support hospitals, retirement centers, child care ministries, nine universities, and three seminaries? Because everyone matters.
Why does the BGCT continue to start churches in every area of the state – from the biggest city to the smallest, most sparsely populated, rural community? Because everyone matters.
One biographer has written that Dr. King never sought to lead a movement. Yet, in 1955 – after Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to obey a bus driver's order to give up her seat to a white passenger – Dr. King was chosen as the leader of the emerging movement to end racial discrimination and segregation. The rest is history.
The civil rights leaders based their movement on the Biblical truth that everyone matters, just as we send missionaries – and support Baptist colleges and universities, seminaries, hospitals, retirement centers, and child care ministries – because we believe that everyone matters. Yes, everyone matters to God, from birth to death, regardless of one’s creed, color, poverty, wealth, or station in life.
In the past 45 years, Americans have made great progress toward achieving the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. But there is still much to accomplish, and we will accomplish it only by agreeing that everyone matters. I hope, dream, and pray that Texas Baptists already know this truth and have shaped their ministries to reflect this truth.