First, this post is long. I apologize. There is so much to say in response to what happened last week. Second, I know it’s tardy. It had to run through more eyes than mine.
In case you missed it, news came out that a Free Will Baptist church in Pike County, Kentucky that is a member of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, voted to ban interracial couples from being members of their church and being involved in worship services. No need to rehash what hundreds of media outlets have already stated. Google “Freewill Kentucky Interracial” and you’ll get hundreds of articles.
The Executive Office of our denomination issued a statement. You can find that here.
Since then, the vote was considered null-and-void by the Parliamentary Committee of the Sandy Valley Conference of Kentucky FWBs.
And since then, the church voted unanimously to welcome “believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed, or color.”
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To Start
If you’re a FWB, you and I have probably had the same feelings over the past week: disgust, frustration, embarrassment, anger, disappointment. I’ll not spend time discussing what many have said via Facebook or Twitter about how banning interracial couples from membership is a justice issue or that it’s non-biblical, as others have pointed out. Instead, I’d like to address a few issues I haven’t heard many mention that I feel are worth noting.
A Serious Theological Problem
Banning someone from fellowship is a serious issue. Although excommunication is different from banning someone from ever becoming a member, consider the implications of excommunicating someone from a local congregation. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul, referencing a man who was having sex with his father’s wife, urged the church to “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5). The way to do that is to kick him out of the church. Or how about in Matthew 18? Jesus says that if a brother sins against you, you should confront him alone, then with another, and then take him before the church. And if he continues to deny his wrongdoing “let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Matt 18:17).
A church’s acceptance of someone as a member is a stamp that they give evidence of being right with God. It doesn’t make that person right with God (which is only by grace through faith), but it does act as some sort of confirmation. That is why churches are called to excommunicate members who consistently exhibit the marks of non-Christian behavior and refuse to change. And that is why the churches mentioned above were called to excommunicate those members. Consequently, that is also why churches are only to accept Christians as members.
The only grounds for banning or excommunicating a person is because they are living in sin. To ban Christians because they have a relationship with someone of a different ethnicity is to tell them that their lifestyle is sinful.
There’s just no other way of getting around this.
A Problem For the Gospel
It’s a problem the gospel can, and will, fix. We can be so angry and frustrated at nine people in one church that we forget that racism is exactly the reason why Christ died.
God doesn’t wait until we get our act together before He loves us. He sent His Love for us even while we were sinners. Racism is a sin because it mistreats people made in God’s image that He loves. And the way to fix racism, just like the way to fix anger, pride, selfishness, lust, or idolatry, is the good news of Jesus. He became a curse for us so that racists might not be judged by their sin, but might be made new in Him.
That doesn’t make racism OK. It just reminds us that hateful, slanderous words toward those who are racist does not fix the problem. Only faith and repentance in Christ can do that. Let’s walk in the newness of life we want all Free Will Baptists to exhibit by showing grace and speaking the truth in love.
The Executive Office’s Response
Many have stated that the release by the Executive Office of the NAFWB was not strong enough. I can understand that in a way. All of a sudden, 300 million Americans think all Free Will Baptists are racist. We would expect a statement to say something like, “Racism is wrong.” Or, “The Bible does not condemn interracial marriage.” Or, “The actions of this church are unacceptable.” But, the statement didn’t say these things.
Don’t get me wrong; the statement certainly wasn’t in favor of racism. It mentioned several examples that would show we aren’t racist. It even encouraged the church to overturn its decision. I sensed that the release really wanted to denounce the actions of the church. I was pleased with these statements.
Why wasn’t it stronger? Well, because the Executive Office doesn’t have authority to do that. They represent Free Will Baptists. They don’t make claims and positions that the denomination has not yet made. Is it a problem that we haven’t made a position on this issue up until now? Yes, absolutely. Is it a problem that the media and the world don’t know that our Executive Office can’t do that? Yes. Is it a problem that our Executive Office can’t make a statement about what the Bible says even though it hasn’t been voted on? In my opinion, yes. (I am glad I do not work for the Executive Office, and am more thankful now for those who do than I have ever been!)
I will say it would at least seem beneficial to have the ability to convene a group of representative pastors to respond to an issue like this for the sake of how the public will view it.
I would also like to point out that the way the media used the Executive Office’s statement was to pit it against the actions of the church. So even though some don’t feel it was strong enough, it at least communicated to the media that it was not in agreement with the actions of the nine people in that church, and that’s a good thing.
My last point on this issue is that no matter if you loved the statement by the Executive Office or thought it was too weak, there’s nothing to be done about that now. The only thing this teaches me is that we need to at least arm our representative leaders with more ammo so that if something like this happens in the future, they can state, “Free Will Baptists denounce racism as sinful and unbiblical, and this includes prejudicial actions against Christian interracial marriages.”
A Problem That Needs Changing, ASAP
What needs to happen is that Free Will Baptist need to pass a resolution at the 2012 NAFWB Convention in Memphis (no less) that denounces racism and includes something about the Bible not condemning interracial marriage. Of course this will not change the hearts of some who would disagree with this, but it would at least make a statement that I think Free Will Baptists could agree with. This statement would represent us as a movement and our stance toward ethnicities, what Scripture says about it, and its appropriateness in the church.
I’m not exactly sure what the resolution needs to say or who needs to write it, but it needs to be worded carefully, and it needs to happen in Memphis in July 2012. Any feedback or suggestions are appreciated.
I will do my part to seek the justice of minorities and to promote the equality of ethnicities among our movement and in the world.
An Ending
Young Free Will Baptist friends. Look, there are things about our movement that we don’t like. We’re not perfect, and anyone that’s been around our movement for a while knows that. But if you love the people of our movement and want to see the Lord continue to use us, now is the time to make an impact. This issue is on a different playing field than music styles or who speaks at what conference. It’s time to put up or shut up. If I’m going to be a part of this denomination for my ministry, I must act on this. Let’s put our money where our mouths are and do something. A statement by FWBs would be God-honoring, justice-focused, and long overdue. Passing a resolution addressing the issue of ethnic-equality in the church (and in all of life) is an incredible place to start, it’s an opportunity we must jump on, and it’s a biblical line in the sand that Free Will Baptists need to draw.
9 comments
Jeremy James says:
Dec 6, 2011
As a former Free Will Baptist, but with still many ties to the denomination, I was shocked and saddened, though not surprised, when I read this article last week on Fox News. I love the Free Will Baptists – and believe that they have 2 strengths that help in the universal Body of Christ – 1.) A strong passion for Biblical Knowledge and Inerrancy and 2.) A strong emphasis on evangelism, particularly, international evangelism. I count it with great joy and tremendous blessing that God allowed me to be involved with this tremendous group of brothers and sisters, and that He allowed me to learn, live, and love with the denomination’s future leaders at Free Will Baptist Bible College.
Outside of the political and reputation-based issues, I recognize 2 important issues that are at work here, and pray that we ALL, as Christ’s Body, can get involved with these two issues, at least from a prayer standpoint, if not a personal standpoint.
1. Pray for the young lady and her boyfriend. Things like this are what makes people atheist, or at least cold and indifferent towards the church. In fact, most atheists, if not all, that I have met, were in some shape, form, or fashion hurt by the church. Pray that they will not confused with those that say they are Christ-like with the REAL Christ.
2. Pray for Melvin Thompson and the other 8 people that voted in favor of this ban. It is the church’s responsibility to have and display love that “covers a multitude of sins.” The heart of every Christ-follower should be that to restore Mr. Thompson and these 8 backwards “believers.” I love how God is not willing to throw us away the way we are willing to throw others away.
I love Jacob’s statement above “This is a problem that the Gospel can, and will, fix.” When Christ’s love is shed abroad OUT of our hearts, it creates an atmosphere for growth, revival, healing, and restoration. Wouldn’t it be something if God went into the hearts of the people there, did the work that only He can do, and work supernatural love and forgiveness out, so this became a display, not only to the NAFWB, but to the Universal Church of what Christ does and how He restores?
I historically dream that molehills can become mountains, and, am doing the same in this case. Wouldn’t it be something if God sparked a national revival in the Free Will Baptist denomination through love, healing, and restoration? Wouldn’t it be a testimony if God used this to establish a new conduit for His love to pour through?
We can only pray, folks. We can only pray.
Jacob says:
Dec 6, 2011
Thanks, Jeremy, and amen.
Alexis Crabtree says:
Dec 6, 2011
Well stated Jacob. I completely agree that this needs to be addressed in Memphis this summer. I will be praying for the right person to bring this to the floor.
Jacob says:
Dec 6, 2011
Thanks Lexi! (If you only go by Alexis now, forgive me!)
Kristen Crabtree says:
Dec 6, 2011
This is a great statement, Jacob. My family lives very close to Pike County, Kentucky, and my cousin (who has proclaimed to be either atheist or agnostic), actually works in Pike County. He posted about this situation of Facebook. The workings of this one church has damaged the witness in that area to people that I personally love and want to see come to Christ. I am thankful for the National Office’s quick response to this situation. The statement may have been weak to some, but considering the amount of time they had to respond, I believe it was enough to show that the NAFWB condemned the church’s action. I am thankful that the action was null and void, but am saddened by the fact that it came up in the first place. I am also aware, by living in Georgia for so long, that this is the sentiment of many people around the country. It’s sad and completely unbiblical. If God were racist, we would not be able to worship Him, since we are Gentiles, but thankfully, we serve a God who is no respecter of persons. He only sees our hearts and not our skin color or other physical traits. He loves everyone and wishes that “all should come to repentance.” Thanks again for your statement! We will be praying for the National in Memphis that this issue will be resolved completely.
Jacob says:
Dec 6, 2011
Thanks, Kristen.
Jonathan Yandell says:
Dec 6, 2011
Assuming it is permissible for an “old” guy to comment on this blog, here is a thought or two. First, I love the post and comments. As a lifelong Free Will Baptist and a third generation FWB pastor, I have been around for some of our shining moments and some of our moments of other kinds as well.
I agree that the resolution is a good idea. To me, however, it seems about 40 years too late. In my recollection, the FWB silence was deafening during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and early 70s. If we said anything at all in support of civil rights for all it never made it to my ears. (In all fairness, I was young then so maybe I just didn’t hear it.)
While I haven’t attended every national association meeting, I don’t recall us having an African-American speaker at any of them–in spite of the fact that some African-American brothers share both our doctrine and our name. In my opinion, this is to our shame.
Over the years, we have been quick to say what we’re against and slow to express our support for things other than evangelism (not that evangelism is bad, of course). Your generation can do something about giving us a voice beyond our ranks.
We need a fundamental change of thinking that leads us to reach out to people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, not asking them to become like us in order to have a place among us, but with a humility that says, “Teach me what it means to love you like Jesus.”
I’ll let you in on a secret. Resolutions don’t change the denomination. When our individual churches, and their youth groups, reflect the diversity of our public schools widespread denominational change will come. Yours is the generation that can bring about that sort of grass roots change. It starts with your local church.
Jacob says:
Dec 6, 2011
Yes, thanks Jonathan, for your words of wisdom!
Brandon says:
Dec 6, 2011
Before I say anything, let me say that I agree with Jacob’s take on the availability of the gospel to men and women of all ethnic groups. We are, of course, all a part of the same race to begin with.
With that being said, however, I think the recommendation about a resolution is an interesting idea that must be entered into prayerfully and thoughtfully.
Initiating resolutions about statements of belief must be done carefully. As an organization, we need to think about what defines us as a denomination. What are the beliefs that unite us? When we begin passing resolutions about what “WE” believe, we are defining that box which should accurately portray each church in our denomination (btw, I doubt you would have much trouble getting agreement on this particular issue).
But that really is the issue, isn’t it? Historically, FWBs have been so diverse (in our preferences) that we have rarely been unified on very many fronts (hence Jonathan’s allusion to our lack of positive statements). In fact, our struggle to agree on certain “issues” has led to fragmentation and disunity. This would be a great opportunity for healing if FWBs all over the world could begin to come together behind Biblical truth and the gospel message and begin to define (theologically, ecclesiastically, etc.) what it means to be FWB and leave some of the preferential differences behind.
How ironic would it be that a multi-ethnic couple might teach us how to overcome some of our differences and join together to further the cause of Christ?