www.gatheringbaptists.ca Baptists Gathering in Wholeness and Integrity following the example of Jesus Fall 2006 Vol. XII Issue III ISSN 1499-111X ©The Gathering of Baptists

Subject: National Church It's still not to late to reconsider this draconian measure that violates everything we hold dear Council Of The ELCIC as Baptist's and enter into a reasoned dialogue Declares Eastern Synod on an issue where there are clearly differing points of view held by sincere Christians. Motion Unconstitutional : A EDITORIAL: by Michael Steeves Remarkable Canadian Baptist I want to commend the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in for By Walter Mulkewich their process and decision on same sex marriage (see the news release below). While “My friends, watch out for the little fellow with they have been overruled by the national an idea.” - Tommy Douglas, 1961 church they have taken a courageous step that will enable a helpful dialogue. Their approach Tommy Douglas, a father of Canada’s is one that I hoped and prayed Baptists would medicare and voted “ of employ because it is so much in keeping with All Times” in a CBC nationwide poll, was a Baptist polity. The Lutherans studied the issue Baptist preacher of the social gospel tradition. carefully. They provided scriptural study Influenced by his religious beliefs, Douglas guides exploring both sides of the issue. They helped reframe the politics of his time and was prayed for guidance and when decision time a powerful influence in shaping modern came they recognized that this is a matter for Canada. the local congregation and pastor to decide for their fellowship. Sounds like a sound Baptist Born in Scotland in 1904 to a working class process to me. Of course it makes the local family, Tommy immigrated to Winnipeg in church grapple with a potentially divisive issue 1910. His passion for medicare was seeded as but it places the matter where it ought to be young boy when he almost lost his leg to resolved. If allowed to proceed some churches osteomyelitis, but a kind surgeon performed would perform same sex marriages and some surgery pro bono. His social activism was would not. That would be a victory for local inspired by his observation of police brutality church autonomy and soul freedom. on “Bloody Sunday” of the 1919 Winnipeg Contrast this thoughtful, open and sensitive General Strike as well as by J.S. Woodsworth process with the heavy handed, top down who was pastor of a local Methodist mission dictum of the BCOQ leadership to ban the and who later became the first leader of the performance of or participation in a same sex Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), marriage on penalty of removing ones right to the precursor of the NDP. marry and possibly more. As a student at the Baptist Brandon College in establishing North America’s only mainstream the nineteen twenties, Tommy rejected the social democratic party. dogmatism of emerging fundamentalism and History will remember his principled stand found a solid foundation in scientific logic against the invoking of the War Measures Act which would influence his decision making. in 1970. He also embraced the social gospel, then a powerful force with such proponents as the Canadians will remember this little man with American Baptist Walter Raushenbusch who big ideas for his human decency, civility, saw Christianity as a “radical religion”. For powerful oratory, sense of humour, and his Tommy, the social gospel was “practical mastery of radio and television. Christianity”. By the time Tommy died in 1986, medicare and Social gospelers such as Tommy Douglas many of the social and economic reforms for understood that the God of the Bible wants to which he had fought were under attack through redeem the whole of human existence as well combined forces of privatization, global market as individual lives - and that Christians are on worship, and the reassertion of individualism the same side as God is reported to have taken and private property over community and the in the Bible, the side of the poor, the fatherless, common good. the marginalized and the oppressed. Since the nineteen eighties, the voices of the As pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in social gospel that had influenced progressive in 1930, Tommy soon found himself reforms from the 1920’s to the 1970’s were politically organizing on behalf of his overshadowed by conservative Christian voices community devastated by the economic which played to public fears, emphasized a depression and prairie dustbowl. When a privatized religion, but also brought a religion member of the Baptist hierarchy suggested his based movement into the public realm rallying pastoral career would be in jeopardy if he around hot button so-called “social issues” such continued his political activities, Tommy traded as capital punishment, family values, sexual his pulpit for a larger political stage. orientation, and abortion.

As Premier of from 1944 to Tommy Douglas did not bring a religious 1961, Tommy’s greatest achievement may have movement into politics, but a he brought a been the pioneering of Canada’s first universal broad range of powerful ideas which were public medicare. But, his legacy was much influenced by his religious beliefs. Tommy’s more. North America’s first socialist political message was one of hope, that there government remade Saskatchewan with new was a better world for all. Tommy Douglas infrastructure, industrial and resource made a huge difference. development, modernized administration, and balanced budgets. Saskatchewan became a The more caring Canada which the social laboratory of social reform copied across gospel helped create is now under stress. The Canada: health, education, labour, pensions, rich grow richer while the poor grow poorer. welfare, low cost insurance, Canada’s first Bill of Rights, and much more. The social gospel was fundamental to the ideas Tommy Douglas used reframe the politics of As the first leader of the federal New his day, helping to create a better Canada. How Democratic Party (NDP) from 1961 to 1971 can the same social gospel be articulated and and as the NDP Energy Critic until from 1971 used to reframe today’s politics? to 1979, Tommy was a major force in Walter Mulkewich is a member of Burlington gender couples who want to make a life-long Baptist Church. A community activist, and a commitment to one another in the former Mayor of Burlington, Mr. Mulkewich presence of God and their community of faith has had careers in education, business, social is a matter of pastoral and congregational services, and municipal politics. A member of discretion. Authorization to perform such the New Democratic Party for over 40 years, blessings shall require the consent of the pastor he has been a Provincial and Federal NDP and the consent of the congregation or calling candidate. agency, as expressed by a 2/3 majority vote at a duly called meeting of the congregation or Selected Bibliography: calling agency, and in consultation with the bishop." Thomas H. McLeod, Ian McLeod, Tommy Douglas, The Road to Jerusalem, Fifth House, Synod Bishop Michael J. Pryse said in a 2004 (first edition, Hurtig Publishers, 1987) pastoral letter on July 9th that, while this decision of the Synod Assembly would be Walter Stewart, The Life and Political Times of viewed as controversial and be received with Tommy Douglas, McArthurs & Company, 2003 mixed emotions by different individuals, he is "very supportive of the action taken by our Lewis H. Thomas, The Making of a Socialist, synod. In my view, it represents a The Recollections of T.C. Douglas, University reasonable accommodation that allows for a of Alberta Press, 1982 diversity of pastoral practice."

CBC Television DVD, Prairie Giant, The Reflecting on the decision by the Synod Tommy Douglas Story, CBC Assembly and the Bishop's pastoral letter, the Rev. Dawn Hutchings, pastor of Holy The Tommy Douglas website Cross Lutheran, New Market, Ontario, said http://www.weyburnreview.com/tommydouglas/ "The passage of this resolution by such a clear welcome.html majority at the Assembly, followed by Bishop Pryse's pastoral letter The Tommy Douglas Research Institute website indicating his understanding that "by virtue of http://www.tommydouglas.ca/ this action, same-gender couples may now have their unions blessed" makes space for those The Douglas Coldwell Foundation website congregations who are longing for the day http://www.dcf.ca/ when Baptism will be the only criteria for equality in our church; a space where in the meantime we can bless, but not Local Option for Blessing marry; bless but not ordain. As a pastor of a Reconciling in Christ congregation, this modest Same-Gender Unions step provides me with the encouragement to assure our congregation that On Thursday, July 6, 2006, at its biennial we can indeed be hopeful as the Eastern Synod Synod Assembly, the Eastern Synod of the inches forward." Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) voted to allow the blessing of same- Lionel Ketola, speaking for the leadership of gender unions as a matter of local option. Lutherans Concerned-Canada, said "This day marks a significant milestone in the long Approved by 72% of the voting delegates, the journey towards sexual justice for queer people resolution said, "That the Eastern Synod of the in the church, especially given its long awaited ELCIC recognizes that the blessing of same- witness to the all-embracing love of God for all people - a love which we often discover and about 'BUSH' around the lunch table—not celebrate through the gift of intimate contemptuously spoken, but certainly not relationship." unqualified praise—only to discover they are all capital “R” Republicans. Oops. Maybe it While this decision affects only the Eastern was all these things added together, combined Synod of the ELCIC, it sends a clear message with our serious (fatal) lack of Jesus-talk. to the wider denomination which defeated a Whatever it was, we were not the Baptists they similar motion at its biennial convention in July were expecting. 2005. Currently, the policy of the ELCIC precludes the blessing of same-gender But to be fair, they were not the Baptists I was relationships. expecting. When our little congregation The Eastern Synod is one of five synods of the connected with Toronto Mission Partnerships Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The (a cooperative effort linking the Toronto Area Eastern Synod has more than 200 member Association of Baptist Churches and four congregations and 78,000 baptized members. Virginia Baptist Associations for the purpose of The territory of the Eastern Synod runs from mission partnerships) I thought the folks from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Halifax, Nova the south of us were Cooperative Baptist Scotia. Its headquarters are Fellowship churches. Nope. Not remotely. in Kitchener, Ontario. By the second evening, it was clear there was Information about the Eastern Synod and the an undercurrent of dissatisfaction amongst our recently completed Synod Assembly is guests. So we sat down in a circle on Thursday available at www.easternsynod.org. A copy of morning to talk about the congregation they Bishop Pryse's pastoral letter to the synod is had come to serve as posted to the Lutherans Concerned/North renovators/painters/labourers, a congregation America website, www.lcna.org that cared for a pastor and his family through Phil Soucy the excruciating journey of Madeleine's illness Director Communications LC/NA and death. A congregation that gives [email protected] sacrificially of their resources to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, tend to the sick and Not the Baptists they were imprisoned, clothe the naked and give drink to those who thirst. A congregation that walks expecting... with the least of these down some of life's perilous paths. Not enough, apparently. Too much talk about “God” and “community” and Maybe it was the Golden Rule poster hanging not enough talk about 'Jesus' and 'Judgment'. in the hall at the back entrance. You know the But by Jesus, a representative or three from this one? Celebrating the connectedness between group of eight had us nailed right quick. It was 13 world religions around love of neighbour. stunning to behold how quickly we were Maybe it was the comments, in answer to a condemned as a people after two days of direct question about our theology, on the first working together on building tasks. Stunning. morning of their visit, comments that honestly At some level, I am still stunned. talked about the openness and diversity of the congregation. Maybe it was the discussion At another level, I'm just sad. Sad that it seems before lunch on the first day about the location nearly impossible to bridge the gap between of their B & B, in a place known as “The groups that choose to emphasize certain parts Village”, a discussion that featured a Woodbine of Jesus' life and message over others. It's okay renovator unwilling to categorically condemn for them to concentrate on the great gay persons. Maybe it was my comments commission (Go ye into all the world...) but not okay for us to major on the great Thou Shalt Not Kill commandment (love of God and neighbour).

What is saddest of all is that the strengths of Thou shalt not kill. our congregation at Woodbine Heights Baptist Throughout the world these words are found Church in areas of compassion, generosity, in many codes of law. kindness, patience, and love were utterly The Hebrew, Christian and Islamic faiths dismissed because they didn't see evidence or condemn above all other crimes hear language that tells them we are like them. the taking of another life. They want to know how many people we've From early childhood we are taught brought to Jesus. The greatest of all sins is this:

Thou shalt not kill. My question for them: for how many people

have they been Jesus? But as we age we realize

that to this basic law are made Not a relevant question, seemingly. We exceptions. continued some of the tasks on our shared list. The first is that, if you should kill But they had enough of us a day early, and another human, you may be decided to turn south to get back to the land of yourself subjected to free and the home of the brave. One thing is the penalty of death. clear after this experience: I'm glad we're not The state may legally apply the Baptists they were expecting. capital punishment for such a crime;

However, in enlightened lands - bob paterson-watt such sentences have been replaced Letters are welcome at gnl@gathering Baptists.ca, fax: (local by life imprisonment. Toronto) 416-922-4359 or by post to Michael Steeves, at 70 The second takes away the guilt Linsmore Cr., Toronto ON M4J 4K1. Letters may be edited for that civil killing leaves upon a man. clarity and length. Please include full name, address, phone number and email if applicable. Editorial board: Michael If one should don a uniform Steeves – editor, Cam Watts, Colleen Furry, bob paterson-watt, and kill, not one, but many in a war, Rose Mary Cummings (production). then guilt gives way to glory. Views express in The Gathering Newsletter are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, nor of Instead of punishment one receives the title all members of the Gathering of Baptists. They are published in "hero". the interests of free and open discussion of matters of concern to Medals and great commendation many Baptists seeking to live with integrity as followers of Jesus the Christ. Material published in The Gathering Newsletter is the are given to the one who kills. property of its authors, who are members of The Gathering of Baptists. If you wish to use material from any issue, it is polite Perhaps some day, just as the penalty of death to ask our permission first. The Gathering Newsletter is published three times per year. ISSN 1499-111X. c The has been removed in some enlightened lands, Gathering of Baptists. nations may face the inconsistency of war. They may seek a more humane alternative to "might is right", such as "negotiate". Thus they would re-instate that ancient basic law, Thou shalt not kill. SPRING GATHERING –

- Ron Watts April 28: Donway Baptist Church, Toronto Bill Herzog (Vice President for Academic

Affairs and Dean of the Faculty for Andover

Newton Theological School, which he began on July 1, 2006) will offer input for our day together. PATEFO 2006 and “witness”, and the following papers were given and discussed. Report by Ray Hobbs

1. Dozen (Associate Professor) Petr Macek of PATEFO stands for Pancrac Teologicky the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles Forum, (pronounced Pankratz Teologitzky University, Prague, offered some insights into Forum) which is a loose organisation of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s struggles with the nature students, pastors and theologians who disputed of following Jesus. the radical changes in the Eureopean Baptist scene, especially around the International 2. Prof. Warren Kay, Professor of Theology at Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague. Merrimack College, Boston, Mass. analysed The Forum meets every two years in Prague the “Intelligent design” movement in the and then in the Moravian countryside to discuss United States as a false witness. issues of importance for Baptists.

3. Ray Hobbs, led a journey through some In 2000 the first of the PATEFO conferences uncomfortable sayings of Jesus related to was held in the Czech Republic. It was conversion and discipleship. commented upon in the Gathering Newsletter,

Fall 2000. Since then the group has met every 4. Ain Riistan, of the University of Tartu, two years at the end of June or the beginning of Estonia conducted a brilliant analysis of July. "witness and repentance" in the Estonian It is both sad and yet encouraging to participate setting. Estonia is reputedly one of the most in active groups like PATEFO (whose name is secular countries in the world. an acronym for Pancrac Teologicky Forum,

Pancrac being the location of our hosts, Na 5. Prof. Charles Kay, Professor of Philosophy Topolce Baptist Church, Prague). They witness at Wofford College, South Carolina, helped us to a malaise in Baptist life throughout the understand the current debate on stem-cell world, yet also give testimony to a positive, research beyond a utilitarian approach into the theological and reflective response to this realm of medical ethics. malaise.

I think it is fair to say that the group is 6. Rev. Colin Bond of Hillhead Baptist Church, composed of disillusioned Baptists, that is Glasgow, offered some penetrating insights Baptists who have seen their denominations all into Ministry in the Void. over Europe and elsewhere, abandon traditional

Baptist beliefs and practices in favour of The Czech Baptist Union is currently concentration of power, central control, all struggling with several issues of great under the guise of efficiency. importance to which Baptist theology and Because of this, the papers at PATEFO have in practice needs to be brought to bear. A recent the past reflected many of these frustrations and vote of their assembly of churches agreed to disillusionments. A glance at the first accept state money for the payment of pastors, conference bears this out. However, in recent and they are currently anticipating a growing years the group has sought to tackle theological call to start a new seminary funded by Southern issues on a deeper level, and to wrestle with the Baptists. Four churches have dissented from nature of discipleship. these moves, and are under intense pressure to This year PATEFO met from June 28th until conform. July 5th in Prague, and then in Rovecne in the PATEFO 2008 is “in the works”, and further Moravian Highlands east of the capital. The notice will be given closer to the time. group focused on the themes of “repentance”

...I thought I would fill you in the latest actions renovated 1800 square foot space that includes of our Convention where the following motion a commercial kitchen. was passed: After a year of an unsuccessful search for a Pastoral leaders accredited by the Convention new place, in April 2006, PNC closed its doors of Atlantic Baptist Churches shall not officiate uncertain of its future. The summer produced a or co-officiate at a same-sex marriage number of developments that led ESAC to open ceremony. up space for PNC who had already been using a A complaint that a pastoral leader accredited room for Sunday services. by the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches has officiated or co-officiated at a same-sex Food, fellowship, music, an open stage and marriage ceremony will be investigated by the colourful lighting set the tone as Pastoral Board of Ministerial Standards and Education Director, Joe Abbey-Colborne shared PNC's according to the Board's protocol (Section 5- story of concern about closing and then 7). If the complaint is proven to be true, the affirmation in its rebirth in west-end Toronto's Board of Ministerial Standards and Education Parkdale community. will revoke his/her authorization by the Convention to perform marriages. The Board will also take appropriate disciplinary Story and Photos submitted by Daphne L.Hunt measures according to its protocol (Section (photos on page 8) 5.6), which could ultimately lead to the loss of the individual's standing as an accredited “Baptists Without minister within our Convention. Borders” I am attaching the “points of order” that I raised in an attempt to have the motion ruled out of This is the theme of the Fall 2006 Gathering of order. Each of them was refused, but a great Baptists 27 and 28 October in Woodstock, deal of the debate time was spent on them and Ontario at the Quality Inn, Altadore Room. in the end 81 voted with us in opposing the motion. (Last year there were only 13 of us Guest speaker, Daniel Pryfogle, is the principal willing to stand against their efforts to enshrine of Signal Hill, a mission driven consulting this prohibition in our regulations!) company that emphasizes the power of story in organizational development, leadership John Boyd training, and marketing and communications. Signal Hill serves nonprofits, churches and Grand Opening – Parkdale social enterprises throughout the U.S. The son and grandson of Baptist preachers, Daniel is an Neighbourhood Church ordained American Baptist minister. Much of his work in recent years has been with Baptist Leaving behind a 400 square foot storefront, groups, such as the Alliance of Baptists, Baptist Parkdale Neighbourhood Church (PNC) Peace Fellowship of North America, and celebrated the grand opening of its new space National Ministries of the American Baptist at 201 Cowan Road in Epiphany and St. Mark's Churches USA. From 2004-2005, Daniel was Anglican Church (ESAC), Toronto on 30 interim director of the Association of September 2006. Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.

The Rector and the Bishop of the Diocese gave For registration, accommodation information wide support to PNC's new beginnings in a and directions, please visit http://www.gatheringbaptists.ca/Fall/