Truth and Unity Amendment

Last week, I shared an update from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). You can find it HERE. One major development at the convention was the passing of the Truth and Unity amendment which proposed an addition to the convention’s bylaws regarding who could be in friendly cooperation with the SBC. This addition stated that to be in friendly cooperation with the SBC, a church could not “act to affirm, appoint or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, such as preaching to the assembled congregation.” The question that I want to address this week is, why does something like this matter to us, here at First Baptist Church.

First, this amendment matters to us because it affirms biblical authority. Contrary to some media outlets, this amendment is not meant to be disparaging toward women. Men and women are equally created in the image of God and possess equal dignity, value, and worth before the Lord (Gen. 1:27). At the same time, Scripture also teaches that God created men and women with distinct responsibilities and complementary roles within the family and the church (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-20; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). What this means then is that the issue before the SBC is ultimately about whether the Convention will uphold what it has historically believed the Bible teaches regarding the office of pastor (1 Tim. 2:12, 3:2; Titus 1:6). Will we stand on the inerrant word of God as our final authority, or will we side with cultural pressure to conform to their ever-changing trends? That is ultimately what is at stake in this amendment. The answer to that question has wide ranging implications for us at First Baptist Church. This is seen in points two and three.

Second, this amendment matters to us because it promotes biblical fidelity. The SBC has already fought major theological battles over biblical authority during the Conservative Resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s. We should not have to refight those same battles generation after generation. Doing so would take our focus off the mission ahead of us and point our efforts inwardly. Instead, the SBC should move forward with doctrinal clarity and unity so that it can focus on evangelizing a lost culture that increasingly rejects even the most basic biblical truths about human value, marriage, and sexuality. Thankfully, this is where we are today, with baptisms in our denomination increasing, churches being planted, and the nations being reached. Failing to affirm the truth and unity amendment puts not only the SBC’s faithfulness to the greater mission in jeopardy, but our faithfulness to the greater mission through our cooperation with the SBC.

Third, this amendment matters to us because the alternative is a slippery slope. In 1956, Dr. Margaret Towner was ordained by the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery in New York to serve as the preaching elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Allentown, PA. From here, the PCUSA went on to debate LGBTQ issues before finally coming to the consensus in 2011 to ordain anyone regardless of sexual persuasion or identity. Now, 15 years later, the PCUSA is actively debating whether clergy should be monogamous, or if there should be an open door for polygamy or polyamory. This movement didn’t come out of the blue though. Union Theological Seminary in New York, the premier theological school for the PCUSA, began its liberal movements in the late 1800s. The other theological schools of the PCUSA followed. The connection is not hard to see here. As entities in the denomination began to shift, so did the denomination. Further, as the denomination shifted, so did the churches. Could that happen to us at First Baptist Church? If we let our guard down, it could. According to the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:30, from among us could “arise men (or women) speaking twisted things, to draw away disciples after them.” Though we are autonomous as a church, what our denomination and its entities believe and hold to matter to us.

Women serve vitally throughout the Scriptures in discipleship, missions, teaching other women and children, hospitality, mercy ministry, evangelism, and in countless other ways. We, at First Baptist Church, uphold this precedent and encourage everyone, men or women, to serve in the ways that God has gifted them. At the same time, according to the Scriptures, we believe that the office of pastor/elder is reserved for men. The question then for us is, will we adhere to the authority of the Scriptures? That answer should be a resounding, Yes! From here though, the question is, how important is it for our denomination to hold to the authority of scripture on this issue? The answer is: Vitally Important! Let us then walk united in the truth as Southern Baptists focused on our mission to fulfill the Great Commission.  

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson 

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"[For] there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
- 1 Timothy 2:5

Announcements:

Soccer Camp: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host a soccer camp in connection with Sports Crusaders on Monday, June 29th-Friday, July 3rd. There will be two sessions. Session 1 will be for those who completed kindergarten – completed 2nd grade from 9:00-11:00am. Session 2 will be for those who completed 3rd grade – completed 6th grade from 1:00-4:00pm. Cost is $25. You can register HERE.

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 6th-Friday, July 10th from 5:45-8:00pm. Dinner will be served at 5:15pm. Check out this year’s theme HERE. You can register HERE. We also need lots of volunteers. Sign up sheet is in the hallway

Game Night: Our monthly game night is Friday, June 19th from 7:00-9:00pm. Invite a friend to come with you and bring your favorite game and/or snack.

Clothing Giveaway: On June 27th, from 8:00-11:00am, we will open up our basement to the community to giveaway tables of clothes. We always need lots of help for this event. Consider joining us on this day.

Holsten Mission Trip: From July 10-26th, the Holsten’s will be going on mission to the Philippines. Prayer cards can be found in the church Welcome Center, and if you’d like to partner financially with them, you can access their online portal HERE.

Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA, HERE and for our Youth, HERE.

Men’s Study: Our Men’s study meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights at 8:00-9:15pm. The book for this study will be The Case for Christ. See Clint Blankenship for more information.

Building Remodel: If you would like to give to our remodel fund, there are commitment cards available in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.

Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.

Awana Bible Club

Awana is officially on summer break. Clubs are typically held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “A Survey in Church History” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.