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Note: This essay first appeared in the
January 2008 Baptist Studies Bulletin.
Each December religious news publications make a point to recap the
annual "Top Ten" stories as voted upon by journalists. But in 2007,
Associated Baptist Press' survey of journalists, bloggers
and public-relations professionals resulted in a most unusual
conclusion: the top Baptist story of the year . . . did not happen in
2007. In fact, the event in question has yet to happen, but is very
likely to also be the top Baptist story for 2008.
I am speaking of the upcoming
New
Baptist Covenant Celebration, the highly-anticipated
gathering in Atlanta of diverse Baptists from throughout North America
which you've heard us speak of frequently in the Baptist Studies
Bulletin this past year. No other Baptist story in 2007 even came
close to matching the significance of the mere lead-up to the New
Covenant Celebration, according to the ABP survey. Former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter is of the opinion that the upcoming gathering
is the
most significant and diverse Baptist convocation since the early 19th
century. And the yet-to-be-held meeting already has
garnered a lengthy
Wikipedia entry. In short, there is ample indication that
the New Baptist Covenant Celebration may well be an event
unprecedented in Baptist life in North America in our lifetimes.
The display of unity among most Baptists in North America
comes at a time when more and more Baptists in the West are realizing
that today's world is in desperate need of Christians who live out
Jesus' admonition to
promote peace with justice, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter
the homeless, care for the sick and the marginalized, and promote
religious liberty and respect for religious diversity.
The top Baptist story of 2007 and 2008―and
perhaps the most historic Baptist event in North America in your
lifetime―begins in two weeks. I hope to see you there. |
