Moderate Baptist: Our Survival Is Amazing

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 06, 2009

Facing financial hurdles and an increasingly secular culture, Baptists at a recent Cooperative Baptist Fellowship meeting were reminded of their identity and reassured that their work is relevant.

"I know there are people who think the Baptist witness is not relevant or important in the 21st century, but the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship disagrees," said Daniel Vestal, executive coordinator of CBF, during the July 2-3 General Assembly in Houston, Texas.

CBF, which is not a denomination, was formed nearly 20 years ago by moderate Baptists who split from the conservative Southern Baptist Convention. One of the conflicting issues that led moderate Baptists to leave the Southern Baptist Convention and start CBF was the role of women. The fellowship affirms women in ministry and supports "equality in leadership."

Since the fellowship's founding in 1991, Vestal says the moderate Baptist movement has been the target of negativism and slander.

Some reports have portrayed the fellowship as liberal but CBF leaders have dismissed such claims and emphasized that they are "Bible-believing, evangelistic, socially-conscious and committed to resolving difficult doctrinal and cultural issues for themselves through interpreting the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

Addressing more than 1,600 like-minded Baptists last week, Vestal reminded them, "Our birth was a miracle."

"Our survival amidst brutal and sustained attacks is amazing. Our growth and influence within the Baptist family and the broader Christian community is humbling. The resources that God's people have entrusted to us is at times overwhelming," he said, according to CBF.

"This Fellowship is a work of God's grace," he added.

The fellowship is currently facing decreasing financial support from its partner churches and individuals. With a 20 percent shortfall, CBF adopted a $16.15 million budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which is $400,000 less than the previous year.

All six of this year's new appointees to full-time missions service are either self-supporting or raising their own support, according to Tony Cartledge, former pastor and Associate Professor of Old Testament at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.

Despite the smaller budget, CBF moderator Jack Glasgow encouraged fellow Baptists to celebrate their connections, strengthen their partnerships and accelerate their commitment.

"Let us find that joy and passion and renew our commitment to one another. The joy we find will be the strength for our future," Glasgow said.