"They were Methodists, a denomination my father referred to as Baptists who could read," says Norman Maclean in  A River Runs Through It.   Baptists have consistently been better known for what is true about us than what is best about us. At it's best, the name Baptist suggests sacred principles of faith held fast by generations of believers.

    Soul Liberty is one; the conviction that each human soul is accountable to God without need of intercessor for confession, forgiveness or worship.  No particular person speaks to God on behalf of other people nor on behalf of God to people.  Everyone has the same access to the Divine.  Soul liberty is also sometimes called priesthood of the believer.

     Congregational autonomy is an extension of soul liberty.  Each congregation is autonomous from all others; free to worship and minister as God leads and the body sees fit.  Congregations bind together to support projects like mission work and seminaries.  But they are not, at least according to historic Baptist principle, doctrinally accountable to one another.

     The strict and complete Separation of Church and State is another fundamentally Baptist principle.  While called to be good citizens, love of country is tertiary to love for God and love for fellow humans. We are Christians first, Americans second. Baptists throughout history were imprisoned by governments and kicked out of churches for resisting government infringement upon the church or preaching against religious alliances with the government. Not a few were martyred in the process.

     When Baptists get busy, we build schools and hospitals.  We dig wells and plant fields and host vacation bible schools.  We are rather like hobbits in our love of parties, music and frequent meals.  Through it all we rarely fail to repeat the gospel of God's lovingkindness, acted out in the event of Jesus.

     Unfortunately, this everyday reality of Baptist life isn't particularly newsworthy.  What goes to press are stories and pictures riddled with angry faces and vile speech that isn't even Christian, let alone Baptist.

    Our challenge these days is to remain authentic to Baptist principles and our local ministry while distinguishing ourselves from brothers and sisters whose understanding of ministry has little in common with our own.  It's congregational autonomy at work.

    Understandably and sadly, people stay away in droves from Baptist churches.  Not only do they miss some of the best food ever served, they miss the opportunity to see what ordinary   Baptists look like up close.  They are professors, lawyers, doctors, mechanics, teachers, parents, and kids.  They are of every possible political persuasion and family configuration.

    The temptation for Baptist ministers like me is to blame others for tarnishing our good name while the truth is that I am equally responsible. I am responsible for what the world doesn't know about Baptist life.  So, today seemed like as good a time as any to exercise that responsibility ~ with a few words about the word Baptist.

 


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