Panama Baptists To Reflect On Baptist Unity At Annual Convention
The 48th Annual Meeting of the Panama Baptist Convention is set to take place January 23-25, 2008. Unity among Baptists in Panama will no doubt be very high on the agenda. Baptist unity or lack thereof, is a global Baptist issue. We have some inherent impulses we proudly trumpet about as ‘Baptist distinctives’ that could be better termed as Baptist “divisives”. Their sole value today lies in their parochial and or territorial strength.
Ordination of Women Threatens Baptist Unity
My presence at last year’s annual meeting of the Convention did spark some disturbance. However, the Spirit of God prevailed and Christian courtesy won that day. The occasion reminded me that being the first ordained [tag-tec]female Baptist pastor[/tag-tec] in Panama does come with some blows that ‘firsts’ usually get. Double blows since I’m a constant (unapologetic) reminder one of the ongoing divisive issue among Baptists – the ordination of women.
I am well aware that I have not been an easy Avocado pear seed to swallow. Planting a seed is always a better option.
True Unity Is Not Cheap
The seed of [tag-tec]Baptist Unity[/tag-tec] is what Panama Baptists need to increase planting this year. President Francisco Medina will undoubtedly emphasize this point. Since President Medina’s election last year, unity has been his most impassioned plea. Of course, as in other places true unity comes with a heavy price. This knowledge led the Central Panama Baptist Association to adopt as it’s theme for 2 years, “Costly Unity”. That theme has been a real ‘truth tell’ because the more we think about it, the more we wish we could dodge the truth that we are only paying lip-service to the theme.
Everyone is off pursuing their own agenda. All bolstered by the misinterpreted and abused doctrine of Autonomy of the Local Church. If there is one doctrine of convenience, that fuels egos and power plays, this is the one. And we Baptists have been overworking it to our own detriment. What is most painful, at least to me, is to see Christians in our context ignorantly trying to live out a doctrine that has long lost its relevance to us.
Misguided Autonomy Or Humble Cooperation
Let’s take [tag-ice]Panama[/tag-ice] and [tag-ice]Jamaica[/tag-ice] as examples. Historically, the Baptists in both contexts have been located among the poor. True the descendants of our fore-parents have been experiencing relative economic success. However, the majority of the membership are still unable to rack up huge tithes and offerings. Basically, we are trying to do ministry with very scarce resources. The strain is being felt everywhere.
Cooperation through unity does not need to be spirtualized. It is just plain sensible. The mission of the church would be better accomplished if we are one. Jesus taught us that when he prayed as he did for his disciples in John 17, Lord make them one. The problem is of course, which one.
Even if you are not a Baptist, do you agree that lack of unity among Christians in general has been doing us more harm than good? Have you got any suggestions as to how we could solve this?
Don’t be shy, share your feelings even if you disagree with something I have said. Thanks in advance. Subscribe to our RSS or for email alerts on what happened at the Convention meeting.
Peace,
Marvia
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January 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am
[...] to remind you that I am off attending the Panama Baptist Annual Convention Meeting. Of course, I will gather all exciting notes to share with you upon my [...]