ARLINGTON, Texas — A diverse group of evangelical pastors and laity, including several Southern Baptists, have announced the formation of a new Antioch Network of Churches to cooperate in fulfilling the Great Commission without requiring conformity on "secondary" doctrinal matters.
In a news release issued after an inaugural March 2–3 meeting in Arlington, Texas, Southern Baptist pastors involved in the network said it would be an additional connection for churches "to partner with like-minded believers as the Spirit leads."
The group of 50 people, including 42 pastors, met at the invitation of Dwight McKissic Sr., pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, and Wade Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Okla.
McKissic, who resigned as a trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth last year, and Burleson, who resigned as an International Mission Board trustee in January, were critical of what they described as a narrowing of doctrinal parameters for service in Southern Baptist Convention entities.
During the opening session in Arlington, Burleson moderated a discussion about doctrinal parameters for the network, which he said require simplicity and clarity, the news release said.
"A consensus doctrinal statement is needed to affirm our passion for Jesus Christ and the good news about His person and work," Burleson said. "Because we treasure church autonomy, we respect churches that go further in their doctrinal statements, but it is unnecessary for a network of autonomous churches who desire to cooperate in ministry to expect conformity on tertiary doctrinal matters."
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