I Remember Why

            Sometimes we forget. We forget why it is important that as Baptist, we support our “Four Fragile Freedoms.” Sometimes we forget why we are proud of our heritage with our partnerships in International Ministries. Sometimes we forget the importance of our Covenant and Code of Ethics.

            Today, in one story, I was reminded of the importance all of these core values we have as American Baptists. In the early 1990s, Bernice was elected as General Secretary of the Baptist Convention of Zambiam(BCZ). Now the BCZ had been founded by another part of the Baptist family that has a strong history in international missions. The missionaries told the BCZ that they could not have a woman as their General Secretary. Interesting that they were telling the local community of believers what God could do in their midst. Hmmm.

            Then, one of the missionaries wrote an article for their mission magazine entitled “The Tail Is Leading the Dog.” In African culture, to call someone a dog is very insulting. The Zambian leaders of the BCZ went to this missionary and told him that he had offended them and Bernice and that he needed to apologize. He refused. He said that he had done nothing wrong.

            When this missionary left Zambia for furlough, the leaders of the BCZ went to him and said that they thought it would be best if he did not return. He told them that they had no authority over him and that he would return after his furlough. In the interim, the BCZ wrote a letter to the Zambian Immigration Department. They explained the situation and stated that this missionary no longer had status with the BCZ. The Zambian immigration department changed his status from permanent resident to 3 month tourist, making it impossible for him to work in Zambia.

            He and the mission agency went to the American Ambassador who scheduled an appointment with the President of Zambia. The President, after meeting with the missionary and Ambassador, referred the case the minister in charge of this department in the Zambian government. The Zambian government did not to offend the Americans, but they could not side with the missionary.

            The missionary then sued the BCZ. The case then had to be drug through the court system. Again, the missionary lost his case.

            The Baptist sending agency then formed their own convention. They threatened the churches that they had provided financial support that they would take their buildings back if they didn’t leave the BCZ and join the new Fellowship. Churches were split. Pastors were forced to choose between their Zambian brothers and sisters and the financial support of this large denomination.

            When this all started, the BCZ had 350 churches. Today, with the threats and the formation of a new denomination, some twenty years later, they have over 800 churches in the BCZ.

            This story is so troubling on so many levels. Do we support the four freedoms as Baptist.? Can we differ on theological issues and still be in relationship? Do we closet he door on those with whom we disagree? Do we serve as partners with indigenous conventions, or are we in control? And as American Baptists, we are bound by the Code of Ethics to fight against discrimination.

            In so many ways, the students grew up in this event. The BCZ practiced the doctrines of the Baptist church and the mission sending agency violated so many parts of our heritage as Baptist. The paternalistic attitude of this sen