Over the past two days, I joined Baptists from across the state of Virginia in our annual meeting in Roanoke. While there, we celebrated the wonderful ways Virginia Baptists are making a difference in our state and around the world. We also made decisions about budgets, missions, and officers for the coming year. It was, on the whole, a very good meeting, with inspiring preaching, talented musicians, and meaningful worship.
There was one issue that, going into the annual meeting, promised to cast a pall over everything else. In October, the executive committee of the VBMB made a decision concerning the membership of a Virginia Baptist church. The church in question chose to pursue a theological position that was at odds with the BGAV official position. A difficult and painful situation at the time, the decision brought both praise and criticism. Many individuals, myself included, believed that we were in for some fireworks - and we approached the meeting with a certain amount of dread.
Much to my surprise - and perhaps that reveals my own lack of faith - when the issue arose at the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the gathering handled it with respect and unity. Individuals on both sides of the issue spoke passionately about their beliefs, but did so in a way that showed Christian love. In the end, a decision was made - one which some thought was correct, and others thought was incorrect - but the discussion was resolved without temper tantrums, name-calling, dirty politics, or hijacking of the agenda. I predict that this issue will need to be revisited in the future, and it should, but for today we considered a divisive, painful situation and responded with civility, respect, and unity. That is worth applauding; thank you, BGAV.
In Christ,
Adam
There was one issue that, going into the annual meeting, promised to cast a pall over everything else. In October, the executive committee of the VBMB made a decision concerning the membership of a Virginia Baptist church. The church in question chose to pursue a theological position that was at odds with the BGAV official position. A difficult and painful situation at the time, the decision brought both praise and criticism. Many individuals, myself included, believed that we were in for some fireworks - and we approached the meeting with a certain amount of dread.
Much to my surprise - and perhaps that reveals my own lack of faith - when the issue arose at the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the gathering handled it with respect and unity. Individuals on both sides of the issue spoke passionately about their beliefs, but did so in a way that showed Christian love. In the end, a decision was made - one which some thought was correct, and others thought was incorrect - but the discussion was resolved without temper tantrums, name-calling, dirty politics, or hijacking of the agenda. I predict that this issue will need to be revisited in the future, and it should, but for today we considered a divisive, painful situation and responded with civility, respect, and unity. That is worth applauding; thank you, BGAV.
In Christ,
Adam
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