Beyond
the Fence
by John Pierce, Executive Editor,
Baptists Today
Responding
directly to another Baptist journalist’s opinion feels a bit
unprofessional or confrontational for me. So I generally avoid such
practice.
However, I
was intrigued by Gregory Tomlin’s assessment of this summer’s
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly. Tomlin is news
director for Southwestern Seminary — and one of two reporters sent
to Charlotte by Baptist Press, the Southern Baptist Convention news
service.
His
reflection column posted by Baptist Press is titled “Off the deep
end in Charlotte.”
Just a casual
reading of BP coverage of CBF over the past few years reveals a
consistent theme — to seek to discredit the Fellowship as much as
possible. Their strategy has been to find an obscure book in the
massive exhibit area or hear one controversial statement in a
seminar setting or hallway and present those positions as
representative of the entire CBF constituency.
So when
Tomlin writes that he came to Charlotte to cover the CBF meeting and
then “returned disillusioned,” no one should take that seriously.
Baptist Press sends reporters who are already disillusioned with CBF
in hopes of finding ways to remotely tie the group to homosexuality,
heresy or any other subject that plays well in SBC Land.
CBF included
a disclaimer in our media kits this year stating that viewpoints
expressed in workshops, auxiliary meetings or exhibited materials do
not necessarily represent official positions of the Fellowship.
Most of us
assumed that. Likewise, we don’t want the official position of our
church to rest on one person’s nutty comment during Sunday school or
church conference.
But the
disclaimer hampered the favored Baptist Press approach to “covering”
the assembly. So Tomlin expressed being “dismayed by the CBF’s
refusal to take a firm stand on the most important Christian
doctrines.
Really?
Throughout the assembly sessions I heard consistent calls to follow
Jesus, sacrifice self for others, pray earnestly and live consistent
Christian lives. I thought those were the most important Christian
doctrines.
As a loyal
critic of CBF — the proper role of an editor who also chooses CBF as
my preferred Baptist identity — I feel no need to be their
apologist.
But I am glad
the Fellowship is not drawing tight “doctrinal parameters” in an
effort to keep out those who disagree with the official majority
viewpoint. Too many good Christians were ostracized when another
denominational group started erecting high and ever-narrowing fences
two decades ago.
Others may
agree with Tomlin’s assertion: “If the leadership of the CBF cannot
endorse the viewpoints of those presenting lectures or materials at
their conference, they should not invite such persons to speak.”
I guess that
would mean pre-approving manuscripts, requiring signatures on a
faith statement or policing the exhibit hall in search of any
materials not fully aligned with majority opinions.
CBF
Coordinator Daniel Vestal and others work hard at describing and
defining the Fellowship. But Tomlin may have made it clearer — CBF
is unwilling to place uniformity of thought ahead of missional
cooperation.
So CBF went
“off the deep end” in Charlotte, according to Tomlin. And he thanked
his lucky stars to be snug and secure inside the SBC fence where the
rules are clearly posted.
Indeed, the
deep end poses danger and uncertainties. I’ve heard more than one
nutty thing said at CBF meetings over the years. But I never felt
compelled to believe them or leave. Nor have I ever assumed they
represent the perspective of everyone else who supports Fellowship
missions.
However, the
shallow end has its risks as well.
When I read
the Gospels, one image always comes to mind. It is of the disciples
sitting around an evening campfire hashing out the events of the
day. Jesus has rolled over with his back to the fire, and they
assume he is asleep.
“What in the
world did he mean about the kingdom being like a mustard seed?”
“I don’t
know, maybe …”
“Just
yesterday, he said if we really love God …”
“Do you think
he really expects us to …”
Then I
imagine Jesus trying to conceal a big smile as he listens to them
hash out the truth of what he had told and shown them.
Sure, one of
them probably said something nutty on occasion. But that’s life in
the deep end — beyond the fence.
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