The CBF Last Week in Atlanta
—
Several of us from our congregation had the privilege of attending the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Annual Gathering last week in downtown Atlanta. I was so glad to be able to share this experience with many of you. I have attended many CBF gatherings over the years, and this was by far the most meaningful and memorable. I was truly proud to be part of this expanding group our church is a part of.
CBF has always done a good job serving as a facilitator for mission endeavors. They have been a good common network for us Baptist folks to interact with each other and work together to enhance our common hopes for wider ministry in the world. But this year, I felt a positive shift in CBF’s vision for the future, the commitment to inclusivity and a genuine incorporation of diversity. Our growing CBF values could not have been more pronounced, especially in contrast with the “other” Baptist gathering that had been meeting just the week before.
Mark Wingfield, editor of Baptist News Global says:
“… the SBC continues to be contentious and CBF is not. The SBC continues to draw narrower lines while CBF keeps adding chairs to the table. And if you want to see the visible difference, look at who had the microphone at both meetings.
The SBC continues to be dominated almost exclusively by men. It is rare to see a woman speak. At CBF and its related events, women are in leadership everywhere. I looked up at the BJC luncheon today and noticed all six speakers on stage at the time were women.
And it’s not just gender diversity you see either. CBF is still a predominantly white group, but Blacks, Asians, Hispanics and indigenous people are seen prominently in leadership.
CBF culture also has quietly turned a page where gay and lesbian Christians are present — but not in the flamboyant way some people might imagine. These believers are just present among us, working among us, leading among us. It’s just not a big deal.
What is a big deal is that 300 people attended the 50th anniversary reception for the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. And 700 people attended the 40th anniversary dinner for Baptist Women in Ministry.
Yes, the SBC is big and loud and gets a lot of attention. But they are not the only church in town. For those who want something more, there are alternatives. There is another way.”
I am glad we at First Baptist Decatur have claimed that other way. Amen.
Love,
David
David Jordan
Senior Pastor