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Alliance of Baptists NEWSLETTER OF THE ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS The Alliance of Baptists is dedicated to the preservation of historic Baptist principles, freedoms, and traditions, and to the expression of our ministry connectionsconnections and mission through cooperative relationships with other Baptist bodies and the larger Christian December 2002 Volume 5 Issue 12 community. Kimball’s book on religion and evil speaks well to the Alliance covenant and mission ‘We live on a fragile planet’ harles Kimball’s newest book have a voice to represent themselves. What need for understanding world religions and wasn’t written as a resource for that means, especially to congregations, is faith as is Kimball,” Clemons said. “This CAlliance members or congrega- that you have to sort all of this out because book seems to me to have come to God’s tions, but it well could have been. you can’t do everything.” larger kingdom for a time such as this.” When Religion Becomes Evil, Kimball wrote this book after the events “The book illustrates the kind of published by Harper-San Francisco and of 9-11-01 but it is not about that tragedy. creative, redemptive work Alliance Baptists recently named one of the top 15 religious “While that event was horrific,” he said, “it do in implementing our covenant and books of 2002 by Publisher’s Weekly, offers mission statement,” Clemons said. “Charles an examination of the nature and signs of is not just an excellent scholar, he is a religious evil while outlining correctives practicing churchman as well. He points the within each of the major religious traditions. way to where we can choose to go in Kimball is chair of the Department of interfaith relationships and he helps us Religion at Wake Forest University in envision how to get there.” Winston-Salem, NC; has studied world “Charles is ecumenical in the best and religions, especially Islam, since the mid- richest usage of that word, and he is a 1970s; and is an expert in Middle Eastern Baptist who believes in and lives out the politics. He is frequently interviewed by the Baptist identity which is so well articulated media at all levels. in the Alliance Covenant,” Clemons said. “I “At the heart of the argument I make in hope every thinking Baptist will digest this new book is a call for individual and Kimball’s book and I hope every church corporate responsibility within faith will study it as a way of navigating the scary communities,” Kimball said. “In churches waters through which we sail in this time of that are seeking to live out the mandate of terror and self-orientation.” a ministry of reconciliation, in churches When Religion Becomes Evil talks that understand they are part of a larger Charles Kimball, author of about the five warning signs of corruption body of Christ, the self-critical approach I When Religion Becomes Evil in religion: 1. Absolute truth claims; 2. take is welcome. A lot of churches are eager was part of a pattern that I was able to see Blind obedience; 3. Establishing the ideal to use this book as a guide to launch into pretty clearly. The event was a total surprise time; 4. The end justifies any means; and 5. deeper study of what it means to love God but that it happened and the events that Declaring holy war. and others as yourself in today’s world.” were behind it were not.” As to why he wrote the book Kimball Though not expressly stated, Kimball Hardy Clemons, retired pastor of First said: “We live on a fragile planet. We better said the principles of the Alliance covenant Baptist Church Greenville, SC, where Kimball find ways to figure out why people are and mission statement can be found was a member while on the faculty of doing these things. This book challenges all throughout his book. “In working for Furman University, was asked by the of us to cooperate in the Christian commu- peace, we look for sources of conflict and publisher to write a statement about the book. nity and beyond. The world is a precarious injustice and political repression. You find “There are few people on this planet, in my place and we ought to be talking about our yourself advocating for those who don’t view, as uniquely equipped to speak to our future together.” UCC connection: lliance member Phyllis Rodgerson Alliance member Bryan Brock has Pleasants, professor of church accepted a position as associate pastor at The dialogue Ahistory at Baptist Theological University Baptist Church in Baltimore. His continues Seminary at Richmond, has written a new previous place of ministry was in Baptist heritage resource called Freedom Gaithersburg, MD. By Ramonia L. Lee, Suitland, MD for the Journey. The Center for Baptist UCC Dialogue Team Member Jeanette Hastings, wife of C.B. Heritage and Studies is offering the The Alliance is ever seeking to look Hastings and mother of Nancy Hastings study resource, which examines beyond the traditional “Baptist” confines Sehested, died in Austin, TX. A memorial Baptist principles with references to to embrace a Christian worldview that is service was held at Highland Park Baptist early confessions of faith and to broad and inclusive. Church, Nov. 9. The family has selected contemporary issues and thinkers. One of the ways the Alliance lives two projects for memorials for Mrs. Freedom for the Journey may be into this vision is through its dialogue Hastings: Habitat for Humanity and the used by individuals or for group with the United Church of Christ and Jeanette Hastings Memorial Fund at studies. The text includes biographi- the Christian Church (Disciples of Highland Park Baptist Church. The cal sketches of key figures from Christ). church’s address is 5206 Balcones Dr., Baptist history and ideas to prompt Austin, TX 78731. These talks, which began in 1997, happenings discussion. It comes with a compan- involve representatives from each body. Southside Baptist Church in Birming- ion CD for a PowerPoint presentation. For Over the course of the past three years ham, AL, has recently affiliated with the more information, contact the Center at we have found common ground in our Alliance of Baptists. Steve Fitzgerald is pastor. (804) 289-8434 or go to desire to be open and inclusive, our call Virginia www.baptistheritage.org. The chapter of the Alliance of to be prophetic and visionary, our Baptists has met and elected Gary Tucker Nick Foster has resigned as pastor of mandate to be faithful and committed to of Danville, VA, as its new president. Alliance-affiliated University Baptist the teachings of the Christ. Hollyn Holman, general counsel of the Church in Montevallo, AL, where he served The Alliance dialogue team headed by Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, for eight years. He has accepted a new Stan Hastey, who serves as co-convener, addressed the gathering which was held at position as director of a new program with includes Martha Barr, Jim Hightower, Freemason Street Baptist Church in Passport, Inc., funded by the Lilly Endow- Ramonia Lee, Steve Lucas, and Cathy Norfolk, VA. Tamsberg. This group met for another ment Inc., and aimed at identifying and The North Carolina chapter of the round of talks with the United Church enlisting high school and college youth for Alliance has contributed $1,000 to the of Christ and the Disciples of Christ on vocational ministry. Bridges of Hope Mission Offering. Oct. 30-31 in Catonsville, MD. At the close of the meeting we found Alliance represented at NCC General Assembly ourselves closer to formalizing a unique Associate director Jeanette Holt and RSV — of which the Old and New ecumenical relationship with two board member David Waugh of New York Testaments were published Sept. 30, 1952 denominations that share many of the City represented the Alliance at the — and its successor, the New Revised Alliance’s core values for mission and National Council of Churches’ 2002 annual Standard Version Bible, published in 1989. ministry. General Assembly in Tampa Nov. 14-16. Delegates engaged in reflection together When an agreement is finalized and The meeting included a celebration of on the “Changing Landscape of the ratified by each body, Alliance congrega- the 50th anniversary of the Revised Ecumenical Movement Today” and what tions and clergy will be able to reach Standard Version of the Bible. Alliance that means for the future of the National across the denominational divide to share member Walter J. Harrelson, a retired Council of Churches. in ministry to our communities with biblical scholar, was one of the translators Among visions expressed: a re- United Church of Christ and Disciples who shared what it has meant to him to energizing of ecumenical work for racial of Christ congregations. Together we will work so closely with the Bible’s sacred justice; ecumenical formation of Chris- be able to celebrate our faith through texts. “Translation is a serious business,” tian youth, especially for life in a reli- worship, witness to our faith through Harrelson said. “The Bible is a reality so giously pluralistic world; an ecumenical mission, and speak for peace and justice mysterious and powerful that it has opened movement concerned both with social through actions which liberate all. the eyes of many through the centuries. It’s justice and with theology and mission, The next meeting for the team is in a text that has claimed our own lives.” and closer relationships between the Dayton, OH, on Jan. 15-17, 2003. The NCC holds the copyright on the NCC and local congregations. 2 Northminster said “Si” to partnership in Cuba We had been to Juana’s house to worship on several occasions and friends of Northminster have visited our sister church and her before.
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