An Essay on the Ministry in Baptist Life*

*Originally written on July 2, 1993, since that time I have removed myself from affiliation with Southern Baptists and find myself in fellowship with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

In Baptist life, the number of officers in the church is small when compared to other denominations. Long ago our Baptist forefathers (and foremothers) determined to organize the church based upon the principles and guidelines espoused in the New Testament writings. (1.) They realized that the church was supposed to be a community of Baptized believers. Within this community, all of the members are to be ministers both to one another and to the world. (2.)


The Church, according to Scripture, has been equipped with two distinct officers. According to the New Testament, these two officers are the pastors and the deacons. (3.) They are understood to be appointed by Christ and chosen by the congregation. The pastors (or bishops) are responsible for feeding the flock, governing the body, serving the needs, and building up of the Church of Christ. The deacons are responsible for relieving "the necessities off the poore and impotent brethre concerning their bodies, Acts 6:1-4." (4.)

The election of officers follows basic democratic principles. These officers are chosen by the congregation as a whole. Any one who is qualified according to Scripture may serve as an officer. The pastor is authorized to rule in accordance with the law of Christ, as the church submits voluntarily and offers obedience and reverence to Him. "The ruling is not unrestricted, neither is the obedience and submission." (5.) They are elected to an indefinite term, which should not be terminated without just cause. Following the qualifications, claims, and duties explained in the epistles of Timothy and Titus, the church will correctly find their pastors.

The deacons are primarily responsible for the "secular" interests of the church. The first deacons were appointed to serve tables, and this remains their primary responsibility--service. These men, and indeed women, are also to be chosen according to the New Testament scriptural foundation, chiefly located in the epistles of Timothy and Titus. Those who are chosen are to help the pastor remain unincumbered by the world, so that he may attend to the spiritual needs of the flock. This work is not to be taken lightly, for they are the "connecting link between the pastor and the needy ones of the church." (6.)

It must be noted that Baptists have not always agreed, and still do not completely agree, in the area of the ministry. Early in the life of Baptists there was a third officer of the church, the messenger. (7.) This person was appointed to act as a liaison between churches to resolve difficulties and correlate cooperative efforts. This person may even be understood as a "minister at large." The messenger basically did the work that a "home missionary" does today. They planted churches, helped weak churches strengthen themselves, and unified the work of associations. Probably due to the lack of strong scriptural support and overlapping roles, this particular office was absorbed or discontinued in Baptist life by the late eighteenth century.

Another interesting fact which must be noted is the place of women in the early Baptist church life. In the Confession of 1611, Thomas Helwys deliberately stated that deacons were both men and women. (8.) They visited the sick, provided welfare to the needy, assisted in church discipline and sometimes preached and led in the worship services. Most important though is that among early General Baptists some women preached. They were encouraged that as the occasion required, to boldly speak forth the word of God. Yet, there is no hegemony of belief among Baptists concerning the role of women in the church and there never has been. Baptists are a very diverse group, which in my mind gives them some of their greatest strength. Indeed, both men and women have contributed much to the Baptist heritage.

What follows now is a suggested revision to the Baptist Faith And Message of 1963. I hope to be able to remain loyal to a strong commitment to the Scriptures and to a strong commitment to the Baptist heritage. The addition is made to section VI, paragraph number two. (9.)

The church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The members of each congregation are ministers to one another. Every member has been called to minister, through acts of love, to both the physical and spiritual needs of the congregation. In such a congregation members are equally responsible.

The scriptural officers of the church are pastors and deacons. They are appointed by Christ and elected by the congregation. Every church body has the right to determine for itself, using the Scriptures as guide, the qualifications for its officers, and the duties which they will perform.

Hopefully, this clarification will put an end to recent trends which exclude denominational fellowship based upon differing interpretations of certain passages. Baptists are a diverse group, each church being unique in its doctrine and practice. Baptist have also, until recent times, been a tolerant group, fellowshipping and working together despite differences. It is supremely important for Baptists to remember that their past and rich heritage of cooperation is the best way to accomplish their lofty goals today. Indeed, cooperation is the Baptist way to reach this lost world. (10.)

I am personally heart-broken over the recent trends in Southern Baptist life. The misuse of the Baptist Faith and Message, the reduction of Foreign Missions importance, the distrust of so-called "moderates" and "fundamentalists" and the blatant sexism surrounding women in the ministry. We are a people of religious liberty and shun any attempt to force beliefs on individuals. Yet, we attack each other over issues which boil down to matters of personal interpretation of Scripture. The Bible is the sole guide for faith and practice, that is not debated; but, one particular group's interpretation should never be made authoritative. My conscience is clear and my convictions firm; yet, I will accept those who disagree with me because I am a Southern Baptist.

ENDNOTES

(1.) William L. Lumpkin, Baptist Confessions of Faith, p. 167.
(2.) Ibid, p. 121.
(3.) See Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2-3.
(4.) Lumpkin, p. 122.
(5.) J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual, p.27.
(6.) Ibid, p. 33.
(7.) H. Leon McBeth, The Baptist Heritage, p. 76.
(8.) Lumpkin, p. 121.
(9.) See H. Leon McBeth, A Sourcebook for Baptist Heritage, p. 511.
(10.) See Cecil and Susan Ray, Cooperation: The Baptist Way to a Lost World.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Bible, New International Version.

Lumpkin, William L. Baptist Confessions of Faith. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1969.

McBeth, H. Leon. The Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1987.

________. A Sourcebook for Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1990.

Pendleton, J.M. Church Manual. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1867.

Ray, Cecil and Susan Ray. Cooperation: The Baptist Way to a Lost World. Nashville: Stewardship Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1985.