Hats off to a courageous church
August 4, 2011 
I would like to publicly congratulate Flat Rock Baptist Church of Mt. Airy, North Carolina for its courage in following God's leading, even at the cost of being spurned by kindred congregations.
And I would like to congratulate a group of pastors and messengers to the Surry Baptist Association for demonstrating just how harsh and damaging an inerrantist, literalist interpretation of scripture can be in the hands of those who pursue "doctrinal purity."
We can learn from both examples.
Flat Rock Baptist Church, feeling led by the Spirit of God, recently called Bailey Edwards Nelson to serve as pastor. Nelson, a talented and committed 28-year-old recent graduate of the McAfee School of Theology, just happens to be a woman.
Within two weeks, a group of "concerned pastors" in the association felt the need to respond, being locked into the same rigid and inadequate understanding of scripture that led fundamentalist theologians of the new Southern Baptist Convention to promote a revision of the Baptist Faith and Message statement that, among other things, removed Christ as the criterion for interpreting scripture, rejected the priesthood of the believer, and restricted women from service as pastors.
To remain consistent with their inconsistent interpretive approach (which picks and chooses which texts to take literally), said pastors determined it was their sad duty (see article from the Surry Association website) to offer Flat Rock Baptist the opportunity to demonstrate unity with the association (possible only through firing the new pastor), or to be lovingly booted from fellowship.
Knowing a lost cause when they saw it, the Flat Rock folk declined to participate in a formal discussion with a foregone conclusion, while 80 percent of those who did participate voted to exclude the church from the association.
Those who can't see through their inerrancy-fogged glasses will miss the opportunity to observe a vibrant ministry unfolding at Flat Rock, and that's a shame. But those Flat Rock members who were courageous enough to risk listening to God will see blessings aplenty.
Such is my belief. I've seen women do incredible work as pastors, and I know too many gifted women whose leadership has been lost to the churches because too many congregations are afraid to step beyond human-forged bars and dare to hear the voice of a God who is generous and free and capable of calling whoever God chooses to the sacred service of pastoring God's people.
May it not always be so.
[Church photo from the Flat Rock Baptist Church website, Nelson's photo from Associated Baptist Press.]
Reader Comments (18)
Amen.
As evidenced by the tone of your argument, everyone uses their own hermeneutic to articulate their version of "doctrinal purity," welcoming those who comply and bashing those who differ. It's fine to make the argument, but don't delude yourself into thinking you're not fundamentalist in your approach. You are.
How do I know? Generally, the more adjectives you use in a piece discussing the opposite side, the more likely it is that some conservative fundamentalist has expressed views that run counter to your moderate fundamentalism. Because this post was more diatribe than discussion, the argument fell flat. Really flat.
Conservatives and moderates alike pick and choose which texts they take literally (sometimes based on context, sometimes based on pre-conception, always colored by interpretive filter). Failing to acknowledge that reality tastes sour to those who might otherwise be interested in considering the argument, as long as it's based on something other than feeling. Sometimes, for all of us, unbridled passion (as in your post) does little more than preach to the choir and poison the well.
And hats off to you, DC, for your thoughtful response.
Tony:
You said the 2000 BF&M :"removed Christ as the criterion for interpreting scripture, rejected the priesthood of the believer, and restricted women from service as pastors."
I think folks still in the SBC have focused so much on the restricting of women from service as pastors that they have missed the removing of Christ as the criterion for interpreting scripture and the rejection of the priesthood of the believer.
These are fundamental beliefs as baptists that were removed with the 2000 BF&M.
Thanks for your article. I am sure that you are aware of the Providence Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC whose founding pastor was a female. After she left the congregation has called another female pastor. So progress is being made despite lack of support from the "Baptist" community at large. I am thankful that there are voices of reason, like yours, that we still have to listen to.
Also I am really enjoying the new Sunday School literature and the great teacher helps. Keep up the good work!
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame facedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1 Timothy Chapter 2 (KJV)
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. [The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.]
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (KJV)
If we indeed believe "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" what do we do with the holy writ these men of God recorded for us?
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul (Galatians 3:26-28)
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on
my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy...
Peter (Acts 2:16-18)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Joel (Joel 2:28-29)
I agreed with Floyd.
Amen.
I finally talked with Al Ayscue who has been under the weather with a severe lung infection--but now recovering. His observations are astute since he pastored FBC Mt. Airy for many a year:
"The area is full of small churches with somewhat uneducated pastors. The DOM is one of the new fundies and gave absolutely no direction or help. She is lucky not to be obliged to attend the Pastor's Conferences each month!" (not exact, but close enough to his words)
Gene:
It will be interesting what the fallout from the Flat Rock Baptist "situation" is? I believe some eyes have been open as to how the "Association" works now. We shall see.
The vote was not unanimous to remove this church.
For clarification purposes, Alfred Ayscue was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Airy for 24 years, not First Baptist Church. Rev. Ayscue was also at one point the president of the NC Baptist State Covention.
All of the human reasoning in the world cannot remove 1 Timothy 2 from the Bible, nor can it remove the qualifications of a Pastor in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. This young lady is living in opposition to sound doctrine.
JW:
So you want women to live under the conditons of 2000 years ago.
Why would you not have us to use the Bible to support slavery?
BTW: This young lady has a name--Bailley Edwards Nelson.
You show disrespect to her by referring to her as the young lady.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach , nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.13 For Adam was first formed , then Eve.14 And Adam was not deceived , but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (KJV)
12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NRSV)
12 I do not let women teach. I do not let them have authority over men. They must be quiet. 13 Adam was made first. Then Eve was made. 14 Adam was not the one who was tricked. The woman was tricked and became a sinner.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NIRV)
12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. 13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was the woman, not Adam, who was deceived by Satan, and sin was the result.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NLT)
12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression
! Timothy 2:12-14 (NKJV).
With the context, does it get ANY plainer then that? I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Politics and the Bible do NOT mix. "Political Carrectness" is inspired by aspirations of men.
So, what are we to do when we find passages in the Bible which seem to be in direct conflict with each other? Personally, I feel like the old Stretch Armstrong doll being pulled in two directions at once on this issue and many others. It certainly makes me understand why people get fed up with Christians and want to have nothing to do with religion in general.
I only wish I had known sooner that the Apostle Paul was still alive and had access to the Internet. I would have long ago emailed him and asked for some clarification.
"Weary Soul" I too want nothing to do with "religion", I prefer faith. As far as "direct conflict" is concerned, it always helps to know the setting when reading the Word of God. Realizing "who" is doing the speaking, and to "whom" they are addressing and "where" the addressing is taking place is of considerable importance. It is also mandatory to know the difference between law and grace and that grace never gives license to continue in sin.
all the abuse women endure and frequently die existing in the radical muslim / Taliban areas of the world and we essentially have a "light" version of bigotry right at home in Mayberry.... they (SBA) concerned pastors are more than happy to have the women do all the hard work in a Church.. maybe they need a MLK lesson in peaceful resistance...stop the work part and see how important you are to a church ladies....of course, getting kicked out of the SBA isn't necessarily a bad thing....the act itself of the voting process was inappropriate and a disappointment to the community as a whole.... at least Flat Rock's focus is soul saving and not getting bogged down in man made bureaucracy. As I recall, Jesus had similar issues with the Sadducee from his time.