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What does it mean to be Baptist? Decision making

29/6/2012

2 Comments

 
Baptist people historically have loved to talk about "congregational governance" and the fact that we try to "discern together the mind of Christ". These ideas are not uniquely Baptist, however they are certainly not held by all Christians. In the past these ideas have been expressed primarily through the "Member's meetings" and democratic voting practices. However, I wonder if we should value the idea more highly than its normal expression in practice.

Back in the days when "Baptist" was a fledgling movement in England, the Churches started to do something that was completely counter-cultural and frankly quite shocking! At a time in history when less than 20% of the adult population had democratic voting rights, the Baptist church said "No! - we believe everyone should have a say!" They introduced voting for Church Member's and thus allowed all voices to be heard in major decision-making, not just the voices of the rich and influential. This was a revolutionary practice that uniquely expressed the idea of "discerning together", at a time in history when decision making in Churches, like most organisations, was more likely to be dominated by a select group of individuals.

This history makes me proud! It also makes me question: what might be an equally radical and counter-cultural way of claiming back the idea of "discerning together" at this time in history where everyone has rights to democratic processes, and yet many voices remain unheard? Rooted in a history of radical and counter-cultural activity, that exposed the weaknesses of the power processes of the day, can we find a better way that will help us to "discern together the mind of Christ" in this time in history? Are inherited models of "Member's meetings" and democratic processes effective for us anymore? Should we be looking at new ways that can help us to gain back this idea of true input and participation in finding God's will together as a community of faith? Does a Baptist Church in Hawera have a role to play in these things?

I think that we have already started doing this. We are exploring different ways of doing "Church meetings" (eg. forums; preliminary discussions; prayer oriented etc.). We are trialling new leadership structures (eg. Focus areas and the “Champions” concept). In the midst of all of this we remain “Baptist” and so continue to value the idea of “discerning together the mind of Christ”. Our practices should therefore allow everyone the potential for participation in decision making. This is a challenge that sits alongside another: how do we allow our chosen leaders to lead well? These are tricky issues, however I believe we are navigating these things right now! Pray, with God's help, that together we will navigate well.

Arohanui, Pastor David Auty
2 Comments
David Auty link
5/7/2012 02:26:14 pm

What about consensus forms of decision making? Would that more accurately reflect our value of "discerning together". There are consensus models that encourage participation and dialogue without necessarily getting into "stalemate" territory (eg. consensus -1 etc.). How could we trial such a system in the church? What are some other ways???

Reply
rocco gous
5/7/2012 07:55:10 pm

Proverbs 29:18 and Philpians 3: 13-14 calls upon us to establish goals.
John 3:16 reminds us of the objective and the many milestones that tell us what we must meet these goals.
Rom 1:16 reminds us to determine the priorities and when we want to accomplish our objectives.
Ephesians 1:11 and Galatians 4:4-5 tells us to develop plans of how we will accomplish our objectives.
I would love to see our congregation members more informed, but also more involved throughout all our proceedings.
This would involve that our congregation members would necessarily be far more involved and engaged than they are at the moment. Not just having a vote because they are members, or because they attend the worship services or make a financial contribution, but that they are fully aware, informed and up-to-date about who is involved and what the goal is and what the practical challenges at hand are. What is the big secret?
I believe that everyone should have a say, but that that say is a say that speaks from an informed standpoint where that one has a clear understanding of the goal, the objectives, the priorities, and the plans that cover all-of-above. It is the role of the people heading up the goal to get all of above out to all the role players so that when it comes to decision time that those "voting", have fully-informed and/or experiential knowledge and insight as to what the goal fully entails. I see a "members meeting" more like a time of reporting-back and celebrating(in praise & worship) of us achieving our goal and testifying of how we overcame all the obstacles that tried to hinder us along the way towards that goal.
We will never be able to keep everyone happy all the time, - as many opinions as members! As long as we can agree to cooperate along with the pre-agreed, consensus of how we should do and run our efforts.
Once again, as our focus teams develop and grow in experience and start getting a few goals under their belt, I am sure that we will start to see a "natural" way of making decisions and taking the necessary steps to ensure that the goal is approached with confidence, integrity and accountability that is neither ardious, over-complicated or overly-time consuming for those that have to meet the objectives. Lets trust each other more and focus on THE GOAL!

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