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Jimmy Carter Calls Baptists Together
Mainstream Baptist printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 06:23:42 PM EST
author info
Former President Jimmy Carter recently called a meeting of key Baptist leaders together to organize a convocation that could explore unifying the Baptist witness in North America. Conspicuously absent was any representation from the Southern Baptist Convention.

A convocation is being planned for 2007. Authentic Baptists are rising to reclaim their identity as a community of faith from the fundamentalists that have taken over the Southern Baptist Convention.

Southern Baptists have become "Christian nationalists" and theocrats who are increasingly viewed an appendage of the GOP. They have defamed the name of Baptists and have destroyed the credibility of the Baptist witness by becoming the chief apologists for pre-emptive warfare and imperial evangelism.

Authentic Baptists will emphasize our "obligations as Christians to promote peace with justice, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, care for the sick and marginalized, welcome the strangers among us, and promote religious liberty and respect for religious diversity."



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Jimmy Carter Calls Baptists Together | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
This Will be a Big Story (none / 0)
Most of the key leaders of moderate, mainstream Baptist institutions were present.

The 2007 convocation may launch a denomination or "fellowship" (we live in a post-denominational era) that rivals the SBC in size and influence.

The days when the Southern Baptist Convention can lay claim to representing most Baptists in America are numbered.

by Mainstream Baptist on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 06:29:06 PM EST


Big Story (none / 0)
Thanks Mainstream Baptist. This is indeed a big story and a very encouraging development. It is good to see non-SBC Baptists organizing in this way. Could Baptists be on the verge of reclaiming their faith?

by Carlos on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 06:42:22 PM EST
Probably (none / 0)
The Mainstream Baptist Network has been trying to encourage this for a number of years.

Here's a link to a speech that Dr. Herb Reynolds, Chancellor of Baylor University, gave to Mainstream Baptists in Oklahoma in the fall of 1999.

At that time the consensus among most Baptist leaders was that Reynolds's idea was premature.

Today, the consensus is that "It's time."

by Mainstream Baptist on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 08:30:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]



This is welcome news. (none / 0)
I consider Jimmy Carter one of the quiet leaders of the last several decades.

He seems quite humble, and that is part of his strength.

by Bruce Wilson on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 08:13:07 PM EST


Glad not to be alone (none / 0)
It is encouraging to see sensible and courageous leaders, willing to stand for something I consider of utmost importance.  I have been concerned by the number of people who buy into the religious rhetoric of our times, and the obvious disregard of the Golden Rule.  How can this corrective message be carried through to the faithful when most of our Baptist ministers seem to be fundamentalists?

by JFTravado on Fri Apr 14, 2006 at 03:50:20 PM EST
Mainstream Baptists (none / 0)
Mainstream Baptist organizations are sprouting up around the country to inform Baptist laity about what is going on.  You can't always rely on your minister to keep your informed.

by Mainstream Baptist on Wed May 17, 2006 at 04:35:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Jimmy Carter Calls Baptists Together | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)

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