How do you see the ABCUSA in relation to the Church universal? What is your understanding of ABC polity and organization?
I believe that the American Baptist Churches USA are an expression of the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. As James McClendon suggests, a helpful way to envision how the Baptist tradition connects to the wider church is as a tributary to a larger river. Realizing this image allows us to understand and affirm our distinctions while at the same time confessing our connection to other ecclesial bodies and congregations.
This image also allows us to confess what is the brokenness in the one Church and the sin of denominationalism. As Baptists we can fall into the habit of listening to only our own voice � even at the congregational level. In fact, congregationalism can, when misunderstood, lead to sectarianism. The universal church is more than a �spiritual� reality. It is an incarnated reality. This is manifested in the individual, the congregation, the Baptist tradition and the universal Church. At each level, God speaks in particular ways.
A useful spiritual discipline is to explore the wealth of traditions that exist �upstream.� Contemplative prayer, the rhythm of the liturgical year and other theological or spiritual traditions can serve as foils and resources for our tradition. We cannot assume that our free-church tradition insinuates that we ignore the wealth and challenges of other traditions. Our tradition of voluntary connectedness can serve as a great resource to combat this tendency. As a body, the ABC-USA does this.
We are engaged in the Baptist World Alliance, the World Council of Churches and other ecumenical efforts. For some obvious reasons, I have been paying close attention to the developments to come out of the Anglican/Baptist conversations over the last couple of years. Our 2010 initiative encourages the development of projects with other denominations. These are all great positives.
Because of my own experience in ecumenical ministries, I am especially interested in the effects of our polity in conversations with other faith traditions. Individuals are free to respond in any way they see fit. Congregations are also free. This is a gift. What is frustrating at times is the inability of the ABC-USA to engage in these conversations as a group. Baptists are free to agree or disagree. The Spirit of congregational liberty cuts both ways. We are free to act, but we are often isolated in our actions.
Posted by tripp at September 11, 2004 11:31 PM