Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Why I Choose to be Southern Baptist

These have been tough days for those of us who call ourselves “Southern Baptists.” I won’t go into all the details. I don't think it’s Scriptural to re-hash other peoples’ sins, nor is it beneficial to the kingdom. We all know what’s been going on, and if you don’t, you can look it up. Instead, I want to explain why I want to stay in my denomination. Why I am choosing to remain a Southern Baptist.
Here are a few reasons why I’m not going anywhere: 

I believe in the doctrine
There is a publication called The Baptist Faith and Message. In it, the Baptist doctrine is basically laid out and explained. It makes sense to me. I don’t believe it because a bunch of seemingly godly people wrote it. I believe it because, to me, it logically aligns with Scripture. I believe things like creation, the virgin birth, the holiness and perfection of Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus actually died for my sins and that He was buried in a borrowed tomb, and on the third day after His death the tomb was empty because He was raised from the dead. Yep. I believe it all. And that just happens to be what the Southern Baptists believe. I also believe that God has a plan for the family, and that plan is for the man to be the head of the home. Now, if you had asked me 40 years ago if I would agree with that, my answer would have been resoundingly different. You see, I had a really bad example of what a Christ-centered home was like. But God blessed me with a Baptist husband and my life and my opinions changed over time. I didn't change because he told me to. I know my own mind. I’ve done my homework. Our marriage is one of a true partnership and, as I believe Paul in his exhortation to the church at Philippi said we need to “work out our own salvation,” (Philippians 2:12-13) I think we need to work out what works for our own marriages. That, for me and my husband, does not mean that I check my brain, opinion, or calling at the door. Nor does it mean that I think I am in charge of my home.  It simply means that my husband and I value each other as children of God and as His servants. We are partners on this journey and we have been for over 34 years. Only the grace of God can explain it, and we give all the glory to Him. 

I believe in the purpose.
Because I believe that the Bible is the true Word of God, without error, I therefore must believe what it says. And, incidentally, I like believing the Bible. Yes, I am inspired by it and I am comforted by it. I am also challenged and corrected and convicted by it- thank God! John 3:16 teaches that God loved the world so much that He sacrificed His only Son (Jesus) so that we would have eternal life with God. Matthew 28:16-20 tells us that we must go everywhere and teach everyone about Jesus. Southern Baptists do that. That is a purpose that will never be abandoned by them. Moreover, the Southern Baptist Church strives to be an example of Christ’s love to the world. They show up at disasters and they serve as Jesus would. I have been personally thanked by a pastor of a different denomination because he heard I was Southern Baptist and, durning the devastation following a hurricane, his church benefited directly from the efforts of my denomination. Without prejudice. That is a purpose I can believe in. 

I believe in the programs
Southern Baptists serve abroad and at home. There are programs that benefit inner city youth. Programs that feed hungry children in the Appalachians. Programs that teach English to people who desperately need to learn it in order to get a job or read their Bible. Speaking of that, there are programs that publish Bibles in every language known to man. I can keep going, but you get my point. Southern Baptists are busy about making much of Jesus at every opportunity. I choose to join them in some of these efforts and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that God has provided to me. I am honored to represent Southern Baptists on many platforms. 

And finally, I understand that people are human
The Bible begins with a book called Genesis. Appropriate, don’t you think? It doesn't take long (3 chapters in, actually) for sin to show up. And it (sin) has been with us ever since. Doesn’t it seem logical, then, that sin would show up where God is doing some of His best work? I mean, the Devil really wants us to fail. He wants us to be divided. He wants to step into our minds when we begin to doubt. The Southern Baptist Convention is made up of people who are flawed, weak, and sinful. Granted, they may be (and I hope they are) saved, but they still are vulnerable to sin because they are human. Please understand this:  I didn't join the Baptist church because of any person; I chose the Baptist church because of the Person of Jesus Christ. My Savior is well-represented by this denomination and I will not abandon Him or it because of some men who are so threatened and intimidated that they choose to discredit a woman just because she is strong and vocal in her stance. What kind of Christian would I be if I left a faith system just because some people failed? Do you abandon a friend when she makes an error in judgment? Or would you walk away from a child who has made a poor choice? Of course not. I will offer grace. I will offer compassion. I will offer forgiveness. But as long as He continues to give me breath I will keep learning and growing and telling people about His love. I will also stand up for those who are too weak to stand on their own, and speak for those who are too afraid to speak for themselves. And I will continue to pray for the leadership of my denomination and for God to be glorified in everything we say and do.  

Why I Choose to be Southern Baptist

These have been tough days for those of us who call ourselves “Southern Baptists.” I won’t go into all the details. I don't think it’s S...