Please, PSW, Don't Leave Us Now

An interesting exchange is underway on the message board of the ABE website (www.abeonline.org). A thread devoted to the possible delay of action by the PSW region board has been up since Wednesday 30 November. This morning, an entry apparently by the Exec of the Cleveland Association appeared:

The General Executive Council actions were not initiated by the ABC/USA leadership but were introduced from the floor of the GEC meeting by those representing regions, churches, and individual American Baptists throughout the country who are heartbroken and distraught at the possible withdrawal of ABCPSW from the denominational family.

Contrary to some suggestions, these proposals were not advanced to buy more time to "pick off" individual ABCPSW churches, caucuses, or leaders. Those who put forward these proposals, and the majority of those who supported them, want the ABCPSW in its entirety, and all its affiliated congregations, to remain part of ABC/USA, and are sincere in wanting to address ABCPSW concerns as fully as possible.

As I understand it, the GEC "contact group" has already been appointed and is prepared to meet with ABCPSW leadership this week in advance of and/or as part of the scheduled Board meeting.

It is my hope that those who seem so "hell bent" on pushing this separation of ABCPSW to finality can slow down long enough to consider the potential long-term negative consequences of this action. The ABC/USA needs the gifts, talents, experiences, and perspectives of the leaders, people, churches, and institutions of ABCPSW. Together we have created a vast number of children--colleges, seminaries, Christian centers, mission agencies, national men's and women's organizations, a national conference center, a publishing house, an historical society, etc.--not to mention thousands of individual sons and daughters in the ministry serving as pastors, chaplains, missionaries, and other leaders. For the sake of these that God in His grace has permitted us to birth and parent, we should make every effort to find a way to remain in covenant together. Even though it may not be as readily apparent, there are also aspects of what ABC/USA has to offer that are very important to the effectivness of ABCPSW in its own life and ministry. How do these words of scripture "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!'" concerning the Body of Christ apply to this situation?
I am an outsider to the deliberations and decisions of ABCPSW and I accept that. However, with this very important Board meeting coming up this week, I think it important for ABCPSW folk to know that there are many who will be fasting and praying that ABCPSW will not decide to leave, at least not yet, and that the actions taken at the recent GEC meeting will be the start of addressing what may not yet have become the "irreconcilable differences" that they may have been perceived to be.

Indeed, I plead with you who are part of ABCPSW: Chart your own vision and course as a region. Set the rest of us the kind of example of biblical integrity and faithfulness you are led to pursue. Continue to raise your concerns about the national denomination and work with the many others from within who are similarly concerned. Limit your participation and financial support in those denominational endeavors that are contrary to your vision and values, as our polity and procedures allow and encourage you to do. But don't break formal fellowship and relationship with your long-standing brothers and sisters in Christ in ABC/USA. Don't be a part of an "evangelical abandonment" of the ABC/USA when the denomination needs the witness and engagement of the evangelical perspective and community so desparately. Don't turn your back on a sincere offer from your covenant partners to listen to your concerns and seek determine how we can address them together. Don't let the fallen world, for whom Christ died and to whom we are called to minister, observe and gloat over another fracture in the body of Christ. Don't let pride keep you from taking a second look at the options before you or from going the second, or even third, mile to insure no effort has been spared to prevent what might prove to be an unnecessary division and harmful disruption to the life and ministry of both ABC/USA and ABCPSW.

May God grant us all an umistakeable sense of His perfect will on these matters of our common life and witness.

Jim Oldham

All in all, an eloquent appeal. But some thoughtful responses were forthcoming:

...After 20 years of praying and fasting for the ABCUSA, it amazes me that we still believe that forming another committee (contract group) to address “ABCPSW concerns as fully as possible” is anything less than a filibuster. Really, what’s the rush?

Quote:

It is my hope that those who seem so "hell bent" on pushing this separation of ABCPSW to finality can slow down long enough to consider the potential long-term negative consequences of this action.

On the contrary, pushing relativism and ethical perversion on God fearing folks for several decades seems more appropriate to the following diatribe: “being “hell bent” on pushing a separation.” Really, let’s face it; the ABCUSA turned its back on the evangelical church years ago. What makes anyone hope for a modicum of belief in the Authority of Scripture and accountability to it in all matters of faith and practice now?

Mark it down: the fallen world would rather see the church compromise with sin than separate for purity. In short, I don’t see how the ABCUSA can prevent the division they have initiated and perpetuated up until this very hour!

Bottom line: Our common life and witness is found in Christ Jesus and established by the absolute authority of Holy Scripture!

Worship & Enjoy

Ron

That would be Ronald Ratliff, pastor of Creek Valley Church in Minnesota.

AJ, otherwise unidentified, wrote this:

ABCUSA has long ago adopted the values and agenda of the fallen world. The fallen world has always wanted Christians and Christian churches to become like they are and believe and embrace the world's values. Now it has come down to how homosexuality and homosexual behavior is viewed, practiced, and supported. In this regard, ABCUSA is no different from the world, while for many of us in the so-called ABC "family", this was and is the last straw. ABCUSA's politically correct tolerance of the extremes of liberal theology has made it weak and dysfunctional. Christians cannot minister to the fallen world when we become just like them. We are called to stand over and against the world, not adopt its agendas and embrace its values: "...be not conformed to this world..." (Romans 12:2a). "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). See also 1 Corinthians 1:18-29; 1 John 2:15-17.

What were our leaders at Valley Forge doing for the last 13 years (and longer) when ABE was a voice in the wilderness crying out to our denomination? Now, because ABCPSW is moving toward withdrawing, they are suddenly willing to listen to us? Perhaps things would not have gotten this far if our leadership had taken our witness seriously from the onset instead of doing what they could to marginalize our voices and paint us as extremists. How many congregations have already had enough and have withdrawn from ABCUSA on their own? Revdrron got it right: if there is godly and genuine sorrow over the state and fracture of ABCUSA, it will hopefully lead to repentance.In the name of Him who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21),

AJ

Finally, the ubiquitous Dennis McFadden chimed in:

Jim,

Thank you for taking the time to interact in this forum. Very few of your colleagues accord us the dignity of this kind of personal attention. It is appreciated. However, your comments raise a number of reactions in me. Let me point to a few issues of disagreement.

Quote:

Contrary to some suggestions, these proposals were not advanced to buy more time to "pick off" individual ABCPSW churches, caucuses, or leaders. Those who put forward these proposals, and the majority of those who supported them, want the ABCPSW in its entirety, and all its affiliated congregations, to remain part of ABC/USA, and are sincere in wanting to address ABCPSW concerns as fully as possible.

Jim, I did not mean to imply that this was the “purpose” behind the action, only that it would be the consequence. The patriarchal relationship NM has had with ethnic churches has been used to the full in recent months in the PSW. Note the words from my original blog:

Quote:

Since the PSW rules call for a 90 day notice for a meeting of the region, this would inevitably buy time for the ABCUSA to continue using their influence on congregations to induce them to pull away from the PSW plan. We have already seen much evidence that this is exactly what is happening.

My point was that a delay at this time will be used to full effect by VF. That is not a matter of “suggestions,” it has been happening already and will doubtless continue happening. Would you like documentation?

Quote:

It is my hope that those who seem so "hell bent" on pushing this separation of ABCPSW to finality can slow down long enough to consider the potential long-term negative consequences of this action.

Some of us have struggled with this issue (and the underlying causes) for three decades. I really don’t see how you can characterize it as a “hell bent” pace. Fortunately for your position, I have no official role in the PSW structure. So my opinion matters little at all.

Quote:

The ABC/USA needs the gifts, talents, experiences, and perspectives of the leaders, people, churches, and institutions of ABCPSW.

Perhaps this is so. However, the treatment of our Executive Minister, Dr. Dale Salico, has been shameful and disgusting. He has returned from the past several meetings shell shocked by the ordeal. Reports by GB reps (such as the one by a clergy rep I blogged last week on my "His Barking Dog" site), rejection of every initiative he brought to the table in San Antonio, and continuing failure to speak with moral clarity by members of the GB, REMC, GEC, and the GS himself show that the ABCUSA has evidenced little interest in the “gifts, talents, experiences, and perspective” of PSW.

There is probably a higher percentage of American Baptists who still have a mixed or negative view of the ordination of women than those endorsing the ordination of practicing homosexuals. Nobody in VF is afraid to proclaim with bold confidence what the majority of us believe to be biblical on the subject of women despite the numbers of American Baptists who do not see it that way. Yet, when it comes to homosexuality, Roy cannot bring himself to utter what the majority of us believe about human sexuality without constantly catering to, accommodating, or making room for the small percentage of those who disagree.

[My interjection: touche', Dennis.]

Quote:

How do these words of scripture "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!'" concerning the Body of Christ apply to this situation?

Frankly, Jim, they have little applicability to this situation. Again, efforts to use the unity of the body (whether the High Priestly prayer of Jesus or the Pauline admonitions) as applying to the current ABC crisis proves too much. If the proponents of unity at any price really mean what they say, then why are we Baptists in the first place? If the calls to unity in Scripture imply an organizational and administrative oneness, then why not disband our denominations, take down our Baptist shingles, and merge with the Roman Catholic communion as one body in Christ?

Once you allow that doctrinal differences and distinctives, a variety of niche ministries, and other even less significant factors offer legitimate reasons to exist as separate ministries, it destroys much of the force of your argument.
In my last six college degree and certificate programs, none of them was completed in a “Baptist” institution. There was no problem affirming unity in Christ with my Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational, Assemblies of God, etc. sisters and brothers. Yet, I have not felt compelled to join with them in their denominations.

And, if structural unity is REALLY as important to GEC members as you say, then why didn’t the GEC affirm the clear biblical admonitions brought to them in San Antonio by Dr. Salico? Hiding behind an ultra individualistic view of Baptist polity, exalting “soul competency” as the organizing rubric for Baptist identity, and failing to give more than lip service to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture are what have brought us to the brink of possible separation.

I’m sure PSW doesn’t want to leave. So, why don’t you persuade your GEC colleagues to treat the Bible as more than a wax nose, speak with a univocal moral voice, and mean what they say and say what they mean? As Rodney King used to say: “Can’t we all get along?”

Quote:

Don't turn your back on a sincere offer from your covenant partners to listen to your concerns and seek determine how we can address them together.

Jim, this is utterly disingenuous! I believe you are sincere in your words. However, your rhetoric sounds wonderful in print but is less impressive when you analyze the individual elements of your case and compare them with the reality of the past few years. Dr. Salico presented a very clear and persuasive case in San Antonio (including dire warnings of what would happen if such pleas were ignored), only to have our “covenant partners” dismiss his concerns entirely. The VERY articulate and clear presentation he made at the GB last month was also treated as of little consequence. How can you say that a “too little too late” action represents anything “sincere” or serious?

Let the PSW board vote to RECOMMEND withdrawal to the churches and schedule a vote 90 days hence. During the next three months the GEC can do all of the soul searching, repenting, rethinking, and re-imagining they want to do. Three months is plenty of time to change one's mind if that is what the GEC sincerely wants to do. We will see who is sincere and who is not.

I'm sure Dr. Salico would be happy to cancel a scheduled meeting if the problem is resolved.

This story is developing. I will post more as it is deemed appropriate. Let me just say, I'm in agreement with Dennis here. If I were on the Board, I would say, "Let's move ahead. Perhaps Valley Forge will reform; perhaps not. Perhaps more of our churches will peel off (as VF is obviously trying to do); but not to move forward will send only one message to VF: we blinked, and they get to run the denomination into the ground."