“… the election of Luter will not be, at least primarily, about fixing the sins of the past. Rather, it will be about the future of an organization that has seen declining membership for five straight years.”
The Washington Post
June 19, 2012 will go down in history as a monumental day for the Southern Baptist Convention. The SBC, which was founded in 1845 because of a split over slavery, has taken a giant step away from its discriminatory past. Messengers met in New Orleans for the Annual Meeting and elected Fred Luter – the first ever black president of the convention. Luter, who serves as pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, received a standing ovation after the ballots were cast.
Wade Burleson and his son Logan documented the historic event. Take a look . . .
This news has been disseminated far and wide, as evidenced by this excerpt from The Washington Post.
“Luter’s election marks a watershed moment for the SBC. The organization was founded in a split over slavery before the Civil War and for decades was a largely segregated, all-white denomination. It was not until 1995 that the organization adopted a resolution of racial reconciliation; it has come under scrutiny for racial insensitivity as recently as the Trayvon Martin case, when the president of its policy arm made racially charged comments about the case.
But the election of Luter will not be, at least primarily, about fixing the sins of the past. Rather, it will be about the future of an organization that has seen declining membership for five straight years. The denomination—the largest Protestant body in the United States—will need to seek new growth from urban centers and minority groups, or at the very least, maintain its size by helping struggling churches find ways to stay afloat. “I think they thought racial diversity would happen,” Ed Stetzer, the president of the SBC’s research organization, told the Associated Press. “Now they realize they have to make it happen,” he said.”
The Baptist Press featured an interesting article entitled: Fred Luter’s trailblazing life rich with trials, blessings. It includes some interesting biographical information, along with the following:
‘The first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention is amazed at how God has blessed his ministry, opening doors previously closed to those from Luter’s side of town.
“I’ve been with Southern Baptists for 25 years as pastor,” he said, “and I have a really, really good relationship with a lot of pastors across the convention, a lot of the directors of missions across the country, a lot of state execs, evangelism directors. I’ve preached for most of them, if not all of them.”
Luter was unopposed for the SBC presidency. A trailblazer in the SBC, the pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church was the first African American to preach the convention sermon at the annual meeting in 2001, also held in New Orleans, and in 2011 was the first black elected as SBC first vice president.
Luter got the SBC’s attention in the early 1990s when the church led the Louisiana Baptist Convention in baptisms. Wayne Jenkins, LBC director of evangelism and church growth, contacted Luter while attending a New Orleans meeting, when Luter graciously invited Jenkins to preach, having just met him.”
I watched the proceedings of the SBC Annual Meeting yesterday morning, and when they broke for lunch, I ran some errands. I had an interesting conversation with a Christian woman who is working toward a degree at Liberty University (primarily through online study). She works for and attends a predominantly black church, and I explained to her that the Southern Baptist Convention was about to elect its first ever black president. She was shocked! I then explained to her that perhaps a black president is the best thing that could happen to the SBC because Luter, more than any of his predecessors, understands the phrase “separate but equal” all too well.
As our conversation continued, I explained to her that some women in the SBC feel as though they are separate but equal. From my vantage point, it certainly appears that women are not ‘allowed’ to utilize their gifting for the body of Christ. It seems that the SBC just gives lip service to equality as they stress masculine and feminine roles. The black community by and large doesn’t view the limitations of women and their “gender roles” as Biblical.
She expressed her concern that the restrictions the SBC places on women will not be embraced by black Christians for the most part. As Luter works to bring back the glory to the Southern Baptist Convention, it will be interesting to see whether he advocates for women who appear to have been marginalized through “gender roles”. We will be watching to see how Luter works to reverse the declining trends in the Southern Baptist Convention. Finally, we will be praying for Fred Luter and the daunting task he faces in the years ahead.
ADDENDUM
It is extremely significant that Fred Luter was elected the first black president of the Southern Baptist Convention on June 19th, also known as Juneteenth Day.
Here is some background information on Juneteenth.
Thanks to an astute reader, Sergius Martin-George, who made this important connection between Luter’s election as SBC president and Juneteenth.
Lydia’s Corner: Hosea 4:1-5:15 2 John 1:1-13 Psalm 125:1-5 Proverbs 29:9-11
While I don’t identify with any particular denomination, I did watch the majority of the convention and found it very interesting. I found myself in tears during the sermon of David Uth of the Orlando First Baptist Church as it was powerful to say the least.
The black community by and large doesn’t view the limitations of women and their “gender roles” as Biblical…
I know that to be a fact for the most part. My very best friend was an African American woman. I say “was” because she died several years ago. But I learned so much from her about not only the oppression suffered as a result of racism, but also their strong faith in God through it all.
I do think the election of Fred Luter will bring a much-needed understanding of the word “equal” as well as a deep sense of sorrow for taking so long to repent of the obvious racism inherent in many Christian communities.
It hadn’t occured to me until I read this post that Rev. Luter’s election came on the anniversary of the “Juneteenth” holiday.
SMG
I was listening NPR a couple days back and they had dueling soundbites from people saying the position had real power and others saying it was largely symbolic.
I don’t know anything about Luter’s theology: do people expect him to butt heads with Mohler in any significant way?
I was in the convention hall and had the privilege to vote for Fred Luter. It was a historic moment.
I was surprised at the outpouring of emotion. I am not sure that came through on the screen.
I was surprised at the emotion I felt, too.
I am glad to have lived to see this day and to have participated in it.
I do not care about the declining membership of the SBC and the need to go into urban areas and how this will affect that. I am not sure that it will. The African American Baptist Church in the USA has a long history that is deeply connected to the African American community. I do not think that African Americans are going to rush over SBC churches in droves.
That really is not the point, however.
It is simply a good thing that a denomination that formed in 1845 over the issue of slavery and sectionalism is matching its long held belief that the church is comprised of people of every tribe and tongue with action.
This was a good and right thing, regardless of whether it results in growth.
M
He will not butt heads with any of the leaders in any significant way in my opinion. I think this move was merely symbolic albeit a long overdue symbol. The fight ahead will be the Calvinists versus the traditionalists and I believe it will get ugly.
SMG
It did not for me, either.
Victorious
I believe that the African American church has down much in the recognition of the role of women. However, Luter will be tightly reined in by the boys in charge. Do not look for the women issue to change. Luter would not have been put up for President if he was going to change such a significant issue. But, who know, I may be wrong.
Sergius
You are sharp! When I have a chance, I will amend the post, pointing out your keen observation and the significance of June 19.
Has anyone heard Luter’s personal views on women’s roles? While the African American Church has done much in the recognition of women’s roles there are still some who believe that women should be in submission. Also, the SBC has a constitution. So unless you think Luter will change the constitution even his own personal beliefs won’t make much difference since the SBC has defined gender roles.
Dee:
I think his election was purely symbolic and nothing in the SB world will change such as I do not believe he will do anything to change the current position on women. What a shame!
Those who have a history of oppression are more likely to recognize and refuse to oppress others. I’ll be surprised if his election doesn’t bring other much-need change.
In a news conference after the vote, Luter said he doesn’t think his election is some kind of token gesture.
“If we stop appointing African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics to leadership positions after this, we’ve failed,” he said. “… I promise you I’m going to do all that I can to make sure this is not just a one-and-done deal.”
http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?ps=1010&rip_id=%3CD9VH5FN81%40news.ap.org%3E&news_id=18978877&src=most_popular_viewed&page=2
Another Obama like “Change we can believe in” moment I guess? And how is that working out……It has been awhile since Baptist were so giddy. The only thing missing was one of those “EXPOSED” on stage preaching after getting caught and him trying to recapture his power and glory.
As we all know, drinking does exist in New Orleans especially on Bourbon St. The difference is that SBC church members drink the power hungry’s Kool Aid and all that goes with that. All that has been done here, IMO, is their cheerleaders have been given a temporary diversion while the powerful schemers and planners look for ways to change things in the future. Kind of like a football game, when the offense doesn’t work, you have to punt.
My prediction is that once those within the Baptist Mafia wake up from their BAPTIST drunkenness, they will question why they did this and go back to their same ole ways, or even worse.
Love the videos of Wade interviewing on Bourbon ST. too. I was really laughing at the responses and faces. Just shows how much of an impact Baptist have nowadays…and ya gotta love all those Baptist resolutions.
Symbolic gesture for sure! I’ve been to some of these churches and seen how many whites attend black churches and blacks attend white churches. It is very thin at best. Those old KKK Baptist members, and one foot in the grave senior adults long time church members ~ and others ~ in the South will not be to welcoming allowing some ” black person” to sit beside them or take up a seat in THEIR pews.
Now that could be a good sermons…………ya think.
Dee:
Butting heads with Calvinists or Calvinistas? 🙂
D’Ma
I believe that you are correct in your assessments. One only has to look at Thabiti to have proof of what you are saying.
In addition to attending the convention, I attended the second night of the 9 Marks meeting after the business session. Mark Dever, Al Mohler and Danny Akin were the participants.
All three spoke very approvingly of Luter and his election and what it means for the convention.
All three also spoke of the continuing changing demographics in the U.S. and the fact that all religious denominations will look differently in the future. Mohler and Akin talked about the need for increased minority recruitment to the seminaries. I suspect this will be on the agenda for them. Jeff Iorg, the President of Golden Gate Seminary, also talked about the demographics at that SBC seminary.
I don’t believe the SBC will have much trouble in the Hispanic and Asia communities.
The African American community may be a harder sell because of the importance of the African American church to that community.
I think one thing to remember also is that there is more mixing of racial groups in the U.S. in the broader culture. Lots of families I know are adopting children of other races, and I know of several mixed marriages in our church and our sister church. So things will change in the culture at large and that will have an impact, too.
I do not get the sense that Luter is in any way hesitant about the SBC’s doctrinal confession. I think that he has already served as an officer in the SBC and is close to a lot of SBC people. If he had problems with the SBC’s doctrinal confession, I believe that would have surfaced long before now.
Cultural change happens very slowly, like turning a big ship around. Tiny, little moves and adjustments at a time. But the little changes all count.
It’s a matter of people getting used to new ways of doing and seeing. Little by little. The assumption is that changes based on justice, fairness, and equality will be in the morally correct, socially expedient, and experientially life-giving direction.
Frankly, I won’t be impressed with Luter or anything the SBC does, until they hold their leaders and churches accountable for clergy sexual abuse, cover-ups, and collusion. When they create a reporting and assessment system and establish a database of credibly accused minister-predators and stop using church autonomy as an excuse, I’ll be impressed. When they start TRULY caring about the least of these, I’ll be impressed. Until then, I have no basis to believe that electing Luter was anything but symbolic. It feels exploitive and manipulative to me. When you refuse to protect children and families – the very people you claim to love and serve – doing something that seems good and right is hypocritical at best.
Wendy
I am giving you a standing ovation for your comment.It bears repeating.
“Frankly, I won’t be impressed with Luter or anything the SBC does, until they hold their leaders and churches accountable for clergy sexual abuse, cover-ups, and collusion. When they create a reporting and assessment system and establish a database of credibly accused minister-predators and stop using church autonomy as an excuse, I’ll be impressed.”
SBC: “Southern Fried Symbology?”
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With the recent negative exposure of the SBC darlings SGM and the Acts 29 network, and as the W. Post stated, with a five year decline in SBC membership numbers, electing a popular African-American pastor to the top SBC leadership spot, may play well within the SBC as they- “Dig A Little Deeper…” and muster their plan to increase their numbers through, among other things, minority membership.
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With the recent corporate office moves of both Acts 29 and SGM, south of the Mason-Dixon line and Missouri Compromise Line respectively, something indeed ‘brewing’.
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Sure it ain’t “white lightning?”
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(grin)
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hahahahahahaha
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S㋡py!
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@ dee:
There is a relationship between the racism of the early SBC and Calvinism. The SBC was predominantly Calvinist before and in the early years of the Civil War. Bruce Gourley has a blog about Baptists and the Civil War, mostly in the words of people of the time. It is clear from the reading that most Baptists of the time believed in manifest destiny, that they were God’s chosen people and nation, and that they would win the war and expand as a nation into the Caribbean and Central America. The losses suffered during the war proved that a wrong understanding of the Bible, so they retained the racism and became Arminian — could not make the defeat and Calvinism work out, since the sinful Yankees had defeated God’s chosen people.
Sopy
I’m afraid the SBC has some real problems on their hands. I am not so sure the minorities will come rushing and with the current fuss over Calvinism, I anticipate some major conflicts.Mix in a little CJ Mahaney to stir things up and I expect many posts in the future.All we need to do and sit back and watch the fireworks.
Arce
You have taught me some things I didn’t know. I plan to do some reading on this. Thank you.
Amen!@ Wendy:
Dee, A good source is Gourly but Broadus’ bio of Boyce is interesting reading. Amazing how godly they thought they were protecting “slavery” so they could “witness” to the slaves properly. And yes, they were Presbyterian trained Calvinists that started SBTS. But, I am not so sure I agree with the Arminian stance. Not sure most SBC people would have known an Arminian from an Armenian in 1923 around the time of the BFM. Fact is Baptists had moved away from Calvinism mostly as a group in the early 1900’s. But Baptists have always had differences in doctrine but just did not make a big deal of it in order to cooperate. Mohler and the SBC Founders group do not agree with that “in practice” and want to take us back to our historical roots. Scary stuff.
“I think one thing to remember also is that there is more mixing of racial groups in the U.S. in the broader culture. Lots of families I know are adopting children of other races, and I know of several mixed marriages in our church and our sister church. So things will change in the culture at large and that will have an impact, too.”
This is where the real change is going to come. I have several friends who are mixed marriaqe and their children are beautiful. Where is racism when you do not know if you are black or white but both? I am sad our president seemed to struggle with this question but it was not as accepted when he was younger than it is today.
Also adoption in foreign countries is all the rage these days in Christian cirlces. We are going to see more and more of both of these things and I think it is wonderful
“With the recent corporate office moves of both Acts 29 and SGM, south of the Mason-Dixon line and Missouri Compromise Line respectively, something indeed ‘brewing’.z’
Very interesting indeed! Especially since they insisted they needed a new name to go above the Mason Dixon and West of Missouri. Why bring both of them South?
BTW: Did anyone see the Courageous award at the SBC? I heard there was the guy from the church that sponsored the movie and a film clip of army guys talking about how much they liked the book and some promo of the resolution. Anybody know any details? I did not realize the church was SBC.
Anon1:
I did not see the Courageous award. Sorry. No details to provide. I haven’t seen the movie either.
Anon1
I think Deb saw it and may include it in one of her posts. There was a reward and she was irritated.
Eagle:
It is as if SB have lost touch with reality.
Anon 1,
Yes, I saw the award being presented to the pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church by LifeWay representatives during the live streaming. They pushed the Resolution for Men book by showing a video of soldiers in Iraq who have resolved to lead their families (presumably from afar?)
If I heard correctly, the Resolution for Men book was given out free at the convention by LifeWay.
“Call TWW Wartburg, That’s The Name…”
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HowDee YaAll,
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“Very interesting indeed! Especially since they insisted they needed a new name to go above the Mason Dixon and West of Missouri. Why bring both of them South?” -Anon 1
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Q. Why bring both SGM & Acts 29 South? And what is the connection with SBC?
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hmmm…
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A. As you know, the SBC apparently experienced a “takeover” sometime back, by Paige Patterson, and his patriots. (1984-1990?) Both SGM & Acts 29 now appear to be firmly entrenched in the SBC. Both hold corporate offices located within commuter distance from an SBC seminary. Have SGM and Acts 29 become cooperative operational arms of the SBC?
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Elementary, my dear Wartburg?
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(Call TWW Wartburg, that’s the name and away go “Calvinesta troubles …”
down the drain…TWW Wartburg!)
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(grin)
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hahahahahahaha
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S㋡py!
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“Further light?:”
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This is only slightly related to the topic. But speaking of Lifeway and their huge offices in Nashville.
I’v always wondered about the huge Masonic Temple that is directly across from the headquarters of the SBC. I attended a Baptist church across the street and it had masonic symbols in the architecture.
What is th relationship between Masons and the SBC? I’m just wondering if there are any good sources.
Thanks…
Dee / Arce, Regarding Calvinism and racism, it might be of value to check out the role of the Dutch Reformed Church in apartheid-era South Africa. As I understand it, that denomination supported racism and segregation because of its calvinist theology.
doubtful,
There have been strong ties between the SBC and the Freemasons in the past. Before starting this blog, I did some research on the connection. Just Google them and see what comes up. Here’s one resource to get you started.
Why the Baptist Battle Over Freemasonry Erupts Anew
This Christian Research Institute (CRI) article states:
“The average age of a Mason is 63, according to the organization’s own estimates. Still, Holly estimates there are between 500,000 and 1.3 million Southern Baptist Freemasons alone, with 14 percent of SBC pastors and 18 percent of deacons being Masons.”
If this statistic is indeed correct, perhaps this is one of the underlying tensions between the old guard and the new guard in the SBC.
@ Ian:
It is a tenet of strong Calvinism that what is is what God willed to be, so segregation that existed was God’s will to them.
doubtful
Now you’ve done it. You opened a can of worms. All “good” Christians believe that Masons are a cult and some go so far as to say that Masons are involved in a secret culture that is plotting to take over the country. Whereas, most Masons today are a bunch of good old boys who mutter some secret words (mostly Bible verses) and have secret handshakes then repair to the local bar for beer and pizza.
My father was a 32nd degree Mason and nominal Russian Orthodox. he rarely went to meetings but liked his ring. It had no power and it had become as ritualized as saying Mass in Latin. I will look into the Baptist/Masonic tie.
So, this a plea to all who wish to discuss this topic. Stick to the points raised by doubtful.
Ian
That is an interesting line of thought and is something to look into. Heck, the whole SBC was formed because of racial issues. People have used the Bible to justify many things, including slavery. In fact, we plan to write a post about a Calvinista darling who wrote a little booklet extolling the Christian virtues of plantation slavery. It is an uncomfortable little secret that needs to be exposed.
Arce
“Tenet of strong Calvinism that what is is what God willed to be, so segregation that existed was God’s will to them.” One of these days, after a nice vacation by the shore, I will get the strength to write about one Calvinista who wrote a little book, now buried, extolling the christian virtues of plantation slavery. He has not repudiated it so I have decided it is fair game. Then I will be in the hunting sites.
Parallels between Royal Ambassador initiations and Freemasonry:
http://saintsalive.com/resourcelibrary/freemasonry/freemasonry-and-the-southern-baptist-church
Thanks for the insight about the Masons & Baptists. I did find some good sites explaining the relationship.