Document distributed widely at BCOQ Assembly 1993:
Our Baptist Identity & Affiliations
Recognizing the real relationships shape identity and define who we truly are, we see a need to explore these relationships that yet remain in these days of dramatic change within our Baptist congregations.
Whereas Baptist Churches believe in the autonomy of the local congregation, but whereas there is a tradition of meeting in Association of other churches so that we might undertake and share in joint ministries, and whereas the undertakings that are shared and done together reflect the mission of each congregation, it would appear to us that the identity of the congregation is formed in part by those other bodies with which it associates.
Whereas the para church offers so vast an array of affiliations for Mission, for Education, and for Worship, and whereas it has been identified that we live in a religious supermarket, it would appear that it is important to identify the commonality shared, so that the influence upon, and accounting to, one another is known and understood, and that the contributions and influence from other sources is also known and understood.
Whereas Baptist churches appear to be moving from a position of inter-church relationships to one of non-denominational relationships and this, too, is placing some stress on identity.
Recognizing all of the above, there is still a desire to maintain a commonality of ministry, mission, and training so that we might encourage and admonish one another.
For these and other reasons, we would ask you and your congregations to consider a commitment to a commonality of identity. To explore this further, will you join us at MacNeill Baptist Church, October 23, 10:00 AM? Lunch will be provided. The Rev. John Boyd of First Baptist Church, Halifax, will be with us at that time.
PRINCIPLES:
1. That diversity at both the congregation and Convention level is recognized.
2. That our “common ground” is the Christian Faith and Baptist life is promoted and our diversity explored.
3. That new “affinity” associations between churches is promoted.
4. That a new association linking the Atlantic, Central, and Western churches is established.
5. That our mission to the world is promoted as both evangelical and social action.
/ Please see over
6. That a new ethic of leadership encourages openness, honesty, compassion and understanding among pastoral and lay leaders in our churches.
7. That the value of the pastoral ministry is recognized and that theological education for pastors centres on Biblical Studies, Theological and Historical Reflection, Christian Formation, Pastoral Care, and Congregational Education.
8. That our worship is shaped and formed by a “theology of celebration” - one that recognizes all dimensions of our human experience: joy and suffering, hope and despair, faith and doubt.
9. That our Baptist faith and practices is also influenced through our ecumenical activities and that more involvement with other Christian churches is promoted.
10. That our congregational life together be a true sharing of each others’ joys and pains and that our community life is formed through Biblical and theological reflection.
11. That the new affinity Association is an association of congregations who have been mislabelled “Liberal” because of their theological and historical approach to the study of Holy Scripture and the practice of pastoral ministry.
John Dickenson, James St, Hamilton
Chris Page, MacNeill, Hamilton
Gary Caldwell, Dundas
This invitation was passed out to delegates to the 1993 Assembly.
In September an invitation was mailed to several dozen church contacts with a bit of background and a summary of the invitation. Attached to it was an agenda for the October 23 “Gathering of Churches” and an abbreviated version of the above.
G. Caldwell, Secretary 6 March, 2016
Our Baptist Identity & Affiliations
Recognizing the real relationships shape identity and define who we truly are, we see a need to explore these relationships that yet remain in these days of dramatic change within our Baptist congregations.
Whereas Baptist Churches believe in the autonomy of the local congregation, but whereas there is a tradition of meeting in Association of other churches so that we might undertake and share in joint ministries, and whereas the undertakings that are shared and done together reflect the mission of each congregation, it would appear to us that the identity of the congregation is formed in part by those other bodies with which it associates.
Whereas the para church offers so vast an array of affiliations for Mission, for Education, and for Worship, and whereas it has been identified that we live in a religious supermarket, it would appear that it is important to identify the commonality shared, so that the influence upon, and accounting to, one another is known and understood, and that the contributions and influence from other sources is also known and understood.
Whereas Baptist churches appear to be moving from a position of inter-church relationships to one of non-denominational relationships and this, too, is placing some stress on identity.
Recognizing all of the above, there is still a desire to maintain a commonality of ministry, mission, and training so that we might encourage and admonish one another.
For these and other reasons, we would ask you and your congregations to consider a commitment to a commonality of identity. To explore this further, will you join us at MacNeill Baptist Church, October 23, 10:00 AM? Lunch will be provided. The Rev. John Boyd of First Baptist Church, Halifax, will be with us at that time.
PRINCIPLES:
1. That diversity at both the congregation and Convention level is recognized.
2. That our “common ground” is the Christian Faith and Baptist life is promoted and our diversity explored.
3. That new “affinity” associations between churches is promoted.
4. That a new association linking the Atlantic, Central, and Western churches is established.
5. That our mission to the world is promoted as both evangelical and social action.
/ Please see over
6. That a new ethic of leadership encourages openness, honesty, compassion and understanding among pastoral and lay leaders in our churches.
7. That the value of the pastoral ministry is recognized and that theological education for pastors centres on Biblical Studies, Theological and Historical Reflection, Christian Formation, Pastoral Care, and Congregational Education.
8. That our worship is shaped and formed by a “theology of celebration” - one that recognizes all dimensions of our human experience: joy and suffering, hope and despair, faith and doubt.
9. That our Baptist faith and practices is also influenced through our ecumenical activities and that more involvement with other Christian churches is promoted.
10. That our congregational life together be a true sharing of each others’ joys and pains and that our community life is formed through Biblical and theological reflection.
11. That the new affinity Association is an association of congregations who have been mislabelled “Liberal” because of their theological and historical approach to the study of Holy Scripture and the practice of pastoral ministry.
John Dickenson, James St, Hamilton
Chris Page, MacNeill, Hamilton
Gary Caldwell, Dundas
This invitation was passed out to delegates to the 1993 Assembly.
In September an invitation was mailed to several dozen church contacts with a bit of background and a summary of the invitation. Attached to it was an agenda for the October 23 “Gathering of Churches” and an abbreviated version of the above.
G. Caldwell, Secretary 6 March, 2016