As my wife and family moved around the South, the schism of the Baptist faith became obvious to us. Different approaches to membership, ministry to youth and ministry to single adults (with or without children) stand out as major stumbling blocks to acceptance of traditional outcasts.
I grew up in a somewhat conservative Southern Baptist church in North Alabama. Progressive socially, conservative spiritually. During my formative years, an instance probably similar to other moderate Baptists, truly stands out in my mind as a turning point in my faith. Missionaries from Africa were scheduled to speak at our church. One missionary, to Kenya, was a native of Uganda, yes black. It was always exciting to experience Christians from other cultures. I was sitting with my mom in the back of our church. As this man of God stepped to the pulpit, a female member of our congregation stood up and shouted that she would not worship with a ________ (fill in the blank). I was shocked, astounded and dismayed that a fellow Christian would become so upset about a person different than themselves would be allowed to speak. The individual that objected had taught Vacation Bible School, urging the children to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world" but, did not truly believe what she had us sing. I became skeptical and approached my faith differently. If it was not Biblical, I did not accept it as fact.
Some of my current fellow Christians still adhere to the attitude of this woman. This is still troubling. When the new President came into office, our prayer list at church omitted him from our prayers, yet the previous administration was prominently mentioned. If Christians have such little faith in the new president, should he not be at the head of the list.
Moving all over the South with my career, allowed my family to serve in many different churches. Each of these churches had a distinct personality. Some very conservative, some slightly conservative, some moderate and one was very liberal. We encountered a range of approaches to the Gospel. One telling aspect of the most Biblical churches whether conservative or liberal had to do with location more than anything else. The most conservative of our churches was located near a college. It was open in its acceptance of others. The most liberal was also very open in its acceptance of others, it was a very large church. The attitudes of separation are more prevalent in smaller, suburban or rural church settings.
Baptist tradition is ingrained in my family. My grandfather was a circuit riding minister in Texas. My mother was a firm believer in "the Priesthood of the Believer". She would be alarmed with the current nature of the denomination. Politics and Religion have no place in the same room, much less the same bed. Christians need to realize that politicians only want their vote. Republican or Democrat, it matters not. Currently republicans have played upon the faith's rejection of gays and abortion, while also courting those segments also.
I am appalled by the number of Christian Brothers and Sisters that regularly listen to the hate and lies of Limbaugh and Beck, while lambasting Oberman and Kennedy. Most liberal ideas fit more in line with Scripture, taking care of the poor, assisting the needy, rebuilding communities and reaching the lost. The only exceptions for liberals being gays and abortion. Current intolerance and death wishes by prominent churchmen have disgraced not only the denomination, but Christians as a whole. Wishing death on your enemies rather than praying for them first is not Biblical.
While we must continue to strive to win the lost, we need to stop whining about losing an election to a black Christian. To insure that the lost are reached we must walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." , 2 Peter 3:1
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