The most significant thing that happened during the recent meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in Orlando, Fla., was not the most meaningful, at least not for this writer. Historically, the adoption of a revised Baptist Faith and Message will be the hallmark of the 2000 annual meeting. But the most meaningful event occurred Monday afternoon in an adjacent auditorium where the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) was holding its annual meeting.
Lynn Latham, director of church and community ministries for Greater Orlando Baptist Association, spoke, describing efforts to reach the women who work the notorious Orange Blossom Trail. She told of leading 25 women into strip clubs, topless bars, liquor stores, tattoo parlors and adult video stores to share the love of Jesus Christ.
Latham also described the work of Restoration House, a place that ministers to women from the street. As she spoke about the work there, nine women arose from the audience and formed a line in front of the stage. “Would you like to see what these women looked like the last time they were arrested?” Latham asked a surprised assembly. At that point, the nine women turned to face the crowd. In front of their faces, stapled to red folders, each held an enlarged mug shot made the last time they were arrested.
The faces in the pictures were hard. The hair, unkempt. The eyes stared forward. They seemed hollow and uncomprehending. The pictures were almost scary.
Then Latham asked if listeners would like to see the women now. Slowly the folders were lowered. There was an audible gasp from the audience as they beheld the changes. The women behind the folders were smiling. They were attractive and warm. Each looked as much at home in the gathering of WMU ladies as any other person in the audience. There was a physical resemblance to the pictures, but they were not the same women.
One by one their stories were told — prostitution, stripper, alcohol addiction, crack cocaine addiction, abuse, jail time. What changed each one was Jesus Christ and the ministry of Restoration House. Now they work as rehabilitation officers, managing recovery programs, overseeing a work shift for a national delicatessen and more. Now each has a life and a future.
The contrast was too drastic to miss. All across the room, women and men stood and applauded. Tears flowed. Jesus Christ had reached in mercy and grace to these women. He had saved them and redirected their lives.
Standing there, each was a testimony to the goodness of God and to the reason Baptists initially formed associations and conventions. Baptist bodies exist “… for the promotion of missions, … education, benevolent enterprises, and social services … for the furtherance of the kingdom of God.” That is what the SBC constitution declares. When that point is forgotten, one departs from the convention’s reason for being.
But that moving moment will be lost in the annals of the annual meeting. What will be remembered is the hour-long debate over the revised Baptist Faith and Message statement. Only 30 minutes had been scheduled to discuss the revisions. But even an extra 30 minutes was not enough time to consider all the amendments messengers stood in line to offer. When time was called, such concerns as women serving as pastors and observance of the Lord’s Day had not been raised.
Thankfully, the study committee revised its original report to clearly state the historical Baptist commitment to soul competency, priesthood of believers and religious liberty. The absence of those cardinal doctrines in the first report had emerged as the primary concern of Baptists across the convention.
The new statement is not as strong as the 1963 document at this point, but, at least, the doctrines are present and that is an improvement over the initial report.
It is unfortunate time prevented a full discussion of the revised Baptist Faith and Message. However, the outcome of the discussion was never in question. The statement as presented by the committee was going to be approved. The intensity of the pressure to support the committee was demonstrated at the end of the Monday night Pastors Conference program when an officer told the crowd that only “unspiritual people” would try to amend the report of the committee.
President Paige Patterson did an excellent job in presiding throughout the convention. He kept discussion moving, offering lighthearted comments at times that kept tensions to a minimum. Patterson also ensured concern about soul competency and priesthood of the believers was the first item raised from the floor. He agreed to recognize Texas Baptist executive Charles Wade who announced prior to the annual meeting his intentions to raise the issues.
The vast majority of messengers left Orlando with a positive evaluation of what they see as a clear statement of Baptist principles. Others left fearful of what they perceive as an attempt to control Baptist life by some officials. Time will tell which is correct.
One thing is sure: If more attention is paid to examining what Baptists believe than is devoted to reaching out in Jesus’ name to people like those who stood in the WMU meeting, the future of Southern Baptists is in danger.
Our corporate life is supposed to be “… for the furtherance of the kingdom of God.” What is most meaningful is people coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That should be the most significant thing as well.
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