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Fraternal Greeting to the 19,64 Southern Baptist Convention

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Fraternal Greeting to the 19,64 Southern Baptist Convention 1964 Southern Baptis t Convention For Release: 9:40 A. M. Convention Hall - Atlantic City, N. J. Friday, May 22 \I. C. Fields, Press Representative Theo Sommerkamp , Press. Room Manager FRATERNAL GREETING TO THE 19,64 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION by Frank H, oyke, Executive Secretary ,, .. i The North American Baptist General konference , ,I Forest park, Illinois The assignment of bringing fraternal greetings to the Southern Baptist Convention here in Atlantic City fills me with an unusual sense of joy and satisfaction. My joy is full, first of all, because this is the culmination of the five year Baptist Jubilee Advance program and the occasion of our celebration of the Third Jubilee of organized Baptist mission work. I am also delighted because this is my first opportunity to speak a word of fraternal greeting to . your great convention. I am speaking as a representative of a small Baptist group to the largest Baptist con- vention in the world. Although many of your leaders have become acquainted with our Con- ference work during the past five years, most of you no doubt have never heard of us. You will therefore forgive me for interpolating a few remarks concerning my own organization. The North American Baptist General Conference, until 1944 known as the General Conference of German Baptist Churches of North America, traces its origin to German speaking Baptist churches organized in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York about 120 years ago. Through the years additional churches were organized, so that we now number 330 churches with a total membership of about 53,000. Loyal to the Scriptures as God's Vi ord, our people are strongly missionary minded. Of a total annual denominational budget of a little over one million dollars, well over half is allocated for home and foreign missions. Our churches support eighty-two missionaries, or about one for every 630 members. One of the great benefits of the Raptist Jubilee Advance period has been the opportunity for us as Baptists to learn more about one another. This has been a wholesome experience and, in general, I believe we have come to appreciate each other more. I can say unequivo- cally that I have gained great respect and affection for Southern Baptists. I have learned that you have fine leaders. Beginning with Dr. C. C. V\ arren, who had such a vital part in launching the BJA, and including all with whom we have had fellowship in prayer and work, your leaders have proved themselves to be able, dedicated and unassuming servants of Christ. I have also learned .to appreciate your loyalty to our Baptist heritage as well as your intense enthusiasm for evangelism and missions. Through the BJA program we have also learned that we have a common heritage. In spite of all our differences in methodology and outlook, we are all firmly dedicated to the great affirmations of our faith first enunciated by our forefathers many years ago. As we meet in Atlantic City we need to see the challenge that is still before us. Vbe look to you, the largest Baptist body in the world, to lead us in facing up to the unfinished tasks that confront us. hith considerable hesitation I venture to mentfon a few of these tasks as I see them. 1. A Continuing Closer Fellowship Kith One Another. In the past, we as Baptists have been proud of our independence of spirit and our emphasis on religious liberty. The result has been that we have established a record for divisiveness, with one split following another, the whole process proliferating in an almost endless variety of Baptists. Some Baptist churches and groups and so "separate" that they will have no fellowship with other Baptists. Surely the principle of religious liberty is an abiding one, But has not the time come for us to recognize that we also have the liberty - perhaps even the responsibility - to co- operate with one another? I am not urging that we should all merge into one monolithic convention. The ecumenical tide is running so strong in our day that there may be wisdom in urging resistance to the trend toward organizational unity and uniformity. Some of us do not see anything in the history of the Christian church to indicate that bringing all Christians into one church organization would necessarily add power, influence or efficiency: and if could well restrict religious liberty. But this does not mean that we should cling to a Pharisaical view of separation that would forbid all fellowship with our brethren. Let us s-sen the Elocd gates for fcl!owship and cooperation with one another. 2. ; Fraternal Greeting to '64 SBC 2. A Spiritual Revival. I recognize that this is a hackneyed expressions, but I can find none that would express better the thought I have in mind. The greatest need of today is not more church members but a deeper commitment of those we have; not larger numbers but more spiritual power. Can anyone doubt that vast numbers of our people today are cul- ture Christians, lukewarm in their testimony before the world? Has Christianity become for many people merely a matter of sanctifying "freedom and democracy" or "the American way of life? " The late Dr. H. ~ichardNiebuhr pointed out clearly, in his book "Christ and Cul- ture, " that vital Christianity can never be content to be merely a culture Christianity. True Christianity must transform the culture in which it exists; and only transformed Christians can be a transforming power in their communities and in the world. Great moral and spiritual problems vex America and the world today. Often we wonder how we as Christians can be more "relevant" to the issues of our day and how we can con- tribute toward a solution of these problems. If we are to be the salt of the earth, does not the secret lie, first of all, in our beinq something, in a hisher quality of life, rather than in doing? Only if Christ lives in us can we exert true Christian influence. What a great day this would become if God would send us a revival through the power of his spirit. I close with a great Scriptural benediction: "Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. " CONVENTION BULLETIN FORTY-FIRST VOLUME ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, MAY 22,1964 FOURTH DAY Suggested Order of Business Southern Baptist Convention PRAISE THE LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of May 19-22, 1964 the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 117). Atlantic City, New Jersey K. Owen White, President Lee Roy Till, Director of Music GENERAL THEME: "For Liberty and PROCEEDINGS Light" SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION FRIDAY MORNING Atlantic City, New Jersey "We Will Magnify God's Word" 9:OO The Baptist Hour Choidoe Ann Shel- May 19-22,1964 ton, Director 9 :I0 Sonp Service 9:20 Scriutur-Louia Armstrong, Alabama Wednesday Night, May 20 101. Secretary Routh (Tenn.) pre- Prayer-Beverly ti. Tinnin. Miasissiuui sented Recommendation No. 20 and 9 :25 Recognition of Fraternal Messengers 90. Pre-session music was presented moved its adoption. Motion carried. Response-Frank H. Woyke Executive by the Symphonic Band, Carson-Newmnn 20: Secretary, North American gaptist Gen- Recommendation No. We recom- eral Conference College (Tenn.), Wesley L. McCoy, di- mend Houston, Texas, for the Con- 9 :40 Baptist World AlliancHoaesh Norden- rector : "Triumphal March," M. Rosza; v~ntionsite, May 20-23, 1969. haug, District of Columbia "Sacred Suite," Alfred Reed; and by the 102. James L. Pleitz (Fla.) presented 9:66 Committee on Public Affairs-C. Eman- Baptist Hour Choir, Joe Ann Shelton Recommendation No. 21 and moved its uel Carlson, District of Columbia (Texas), director: "Brethren, We Have adoption. Motion carr~ed. ( See p. 6, 10 :15 Committee on Resolutions Met to Worship," "0, for a Thousand May 20 Bulletin.) 10:30 Radio and Television Commission-Paul Tongues," "A~ELs,and Did My Saviour M, Stevens, Texad 103. Secretary Routh presented Rec- Bleed," and Crown Him with Many ommendation No. 22 and moved its adop- LO :60 Congregational Sonp Crowns." 10:56 So:-George Beverly Shea. Soloist, tion. Motion carried. (See p. 6, May 20 Billy Graham Team 91. Lee Roy 'jSil!'led in singing "Love Bulletin.) 11 :00 Sermon-Billy Graham, North Carolina Is the Theme, Saved, Saved," and 104. Bang Morgan (Kans.) presented Benediction--.John A. Turpin, Kentucky "Love Lifted Me." Recommendation No. 23 and moved its 92. The Baptist Hour Choir sang adoption. Motion carried. (See p. 6, "Jesus Shall Reign." May 20 Bulletin.) 93. President White called on Second REPORT OF COMMITTEE Vice-President Mrs. R. L. Mathis (Ala.) 105. Secretary Routh requested unani- to preside during the evening session mous consent to delete from Recom- ON COMMITTEES and called attention to the significant mendation No. 4 (See Items 38 and 57.) all reference to the North American The report of the Committee on fact that this was the first time a woman Baptist Fellowship and moved that the Committees has been scheduled for 955 had presided over a session of the South- ern Baptist Convention. recommendation be approved. Motion on Friday morning. carried. 94. Cleveland Autry (D. C.) read 1 Corinthians 15:l-7 and 12-17. Harlen 106. Secretary Routh moved the adop- Harris (Texas) led in prayer. tion of the Executive Committee report BJA REGISTRATION as a whole.
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