The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has recovered some support from Southern Baptists as a group of two dozen retired chief executives of Southern Baptist entities have recently declared themselves to be "Advocates of the Baptist World Alliance."

Called by Duke K. McCall, former president of the BWA, the former SBC leaders met in Atlanta on 4th December. McCall was president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and executive secretary-treasurer of the SBC Executive Committee.

McCall emphasised the following points as the group declared themselves as advocates of the BWA:

1. We are not in a battle with anyone.

2. We want to support Baptist organisations and churches that serve God and witness to Jesus as Lord.

3. We do not speak for or represent any group we may have served in the past, but we are individuals with a past history who speak and act on the basis of that past experience.

4. Our concern is the vitality of Baptist witness under the Great Commission of our Lord. We believe that this is in keeping with Jesus prayer for the unity of believers, John 17:21. May the witness of the BWA to the glory of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be such that the world will say again, "Behold how they love one another!" We have sometimes striven for a reputation for orthodoxy, a worthy goal, but love for our neighbour (the second greatest commandment) is an even more effective witness.

5. We serve the Baptist World Alliance, not because its membership includes no sinners, but because it has inspired and instructed world Baptists in their intention to be Biblical Christian witnesses to our Saviour Jesus Christ.

6. As Southern Baptists ourselves, we have been inspired and instructed in the past by our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we have worked in the BWA. We have not always agreed, but we have tried to speak "the truth in love."

7. The SBC withdrawal from BWA membership does not require any individual or church, or Baptist association to sever that Christian relation to the BWA. We do not counsel any individual or church to withdraw from the SBC.

McCall and Grady Cothen, a former president of the Baptist Sunday School Board (now called Lifeway), also testified the BWA for its usefulness as an evangelistic extension of local churches.

"Southern Baptists are blessed by their BWA connection with believers who are zealous in evangelism. We need to strengthen this family tie for our own benefit," said others in the group.

McCall concluded the function of the advocate group, "Our purpose is to retain Southern Baptist participation in and support of the Baptist World Alliance. We function within Baptist freedom and the autonomy of every Christian church. The BWA has inspired and instructed world Baptists in their intention to be biblical Christian witnesses to our Saviour Jesus Christ."

In the summer, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) formally announced its withdrawal from the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). As SBC was the largest group of members and donors within BWA, the division was described by Denton Lotz, BWA General Secretary, as "great distress ... particularly to our minority conventions all over the world."

SBC committee accused BWA for its "anti-Americanism" and ambiguous viewpoints on certain theological issues. SBC charged BWA for accepting homosexuality and same-sex union. In addition, SBC claimed that BWA promoted the practice of women pastor ordination in the churches.

Denton Lotz, BWA General Secretary, had refuted charges levelled by the SBC committee that recommended withdrawal from BWA. He wrote in a statement, "The BWA is not anti-American. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God and loyal citizens of our own nations. ... We believe that Baptists should be good and patriotic citizens of their countries, but patriotism must always be limited to and judged by the Bible's call for ultimate loyalty to Christ who is above all."

He also said, "The BWA does not support homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle, believing it to be incompatible with the teachings of Scripture. The BWA affirms without reservation that marriage is a holy state and only between a man and a woman forever."

Lotz, however, argued that the BWA held neutral position concerning women ordination, "The BWA does not promote women as pastors of churches nor does it argue against the practice. Since we affirm the autonomy of Baptist bodies, it is the prerogative of local churches and their member bodies to make decisions on ordination."

Other former SBC leaders in attendance in the declaration of support to BWA included: Grady Cothen and Lloyd Elder, former Presidents of the Sunday School Board (now Lifeway), and SBC state executives: Jere Allen (Washington, DC), Charles Barnes (Maryland), Bill Causey (Mississippi), James Griffith (Georgia), Jack Lowndes (New York), Don Widemon (Missouri). The oldest person attending was Alma Hunt (95), former Executive of the Women’s Missionary Union. Also, former WMU executives Carolyn Crumpler, and Dellanna O’Brien were present, as well as Catherine and Lee Allen. Others in attendance included: Emmanuel McCall, former leader of SBC Relations to Black Churches, Bill O’ Brien, former vice president of the International Mission Board. Atlanta area pastors present were: Truett Gannon, David Sapp, Bill Self and Craig Sherouse. BWA staff present were Denton Lotz and Ian Chapman.

Other former SBC state executives who expressed support but were not able to attend include: Earl Kelly (Mississippi), Ken Lyle (New England), Reggie McDonough (Virginia), William Pinson (Texas), and Roy Smith (North Carolina), and many others. Former SBC seminary presidents and executives of various organisations also expressed a desire to come but the change in date prevented their coming. The participants agreed to endorse a written statement in support of the BWA. Former leaders will be invited to sign the document to indicate their support and affirmation of the BWA.

[Source: Baptist World Alliance]