This year's annual convention begins tomorrow, July 15th, in Memphis, Tennessee. So, I decided to update my blog from four years ago, and repost it for my FWB's friends to think about.
For some of you, this is the first time you've ever heard of the NAFWB and may wonder who this group is. Here is a little background info:
-Free Will Baptists trace their American roots to the early 18th century in North Carolina and early 19th century in New England.
-In 1935, the National Association of Free Will Baptists was formed.
-The NAFWB is a denomiation of 2,600 churches with around 300,000 in membership in 40 plus states and several foreign countries.
-The denomination reflects an Arminian view of thelogy as opposed to Calvinism. In short, Arminians believe God has offered salvation to all and humanity can freely choose to accept or reject Christ versus the Calvinist view that God has chosen those who would be saved and cannot resist God's grace.
-The denominational headquarters are in Nashville, TN as well as the main denominational college.
-The denomination reflects a more conservative theology and politics, but is very diverse in its ministry approaches.
-The NAFWB hold a four day convention every year during the third week of July in a different city across the country. This year's is in Memphis, Tennessee.
I grew up in the Free Will Baptist denomination and was a member of it until 2000. I've pastored two Free Will Baptist churches, am a graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College and for three years was on staff at the college. Although, I am not a member of the denomination any longer, I do find myself being interested in its functions and decisions. So, for my friends who are still Free Will Baptists, here are some of my thoughts and suggestions about the NAFWB:
1) Free Will Baptists are very good and kind people. I'm reminded of this when I worship at a FWB church, or attend a convention.
2) The denomination has a committed core, but a very uncommitted membership. There are a lot of pastors, churches and members in the denomination that do not support the denomiational departments and ministries which is limiting the growth and influence of the denomination. For example, I remember in college the statment being made in chapel that out of 2,600 FWB's church, only 800 gave a gift of ANY KIND to the denomination. I'd say that number is still accurate today.
3) The NAFWB needs to change its name. We are living in an increasingly theologically illiterate society and to emphasize a name where most people in America do not even know what the word "Protestant" means should cause Free Will Baptists to consider a shorter, more precise and less confusing name. The basic tenets of Free Will Baptist theology are "Free Will, Free Grace and Free Salvation," so why not consider a name like "The National Association of Free Baptists" (Free Baptists for short)? This shortens the name and emphasizes the main tenets of the denomination's theology and not just one point.
4) FWB's need to reconsider their stance on alcohol for church membership. While the denomination can make statements regarding the dangers of alcoholism and the social ills associated with it, and even require total abstinence for ordained ministers, it is unrealistic and unreasonable to demand people abstain from alcohol to be a member of the denomination. Having now lived in Maryland and Pennsylvania and attended three seminaries, I have come to learn that one can be a committed, evangelical Christian and partake of alcohol. To require total abstinence of alcohol for church membership for most people in the United States would be like asking a North Carolinian to give up sweet tea, and from the size of some of the FWB's pastors I see that's not a bad idea (funny, how drunkenness is always emphasized but gluttony gets overlooked). More importantly, a position requiring total abstinence for everyone is not biblical, no matter how you slice and dice the Scriptures.
5) The NAFWB needs to adopt a major educational plan. This week in Memphis, delegates to the convention will be voting on a proposal to change the name of Free Will Baptist Bible College to Welch College. While this long-overdue proposal is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. Welch College needs to become a Christian liberal arts university, with a graduate school and seminary operating under its auspices. By the way, I'm not the first to suggest this, and know that several FWB's leaders have expressed it - I'm just adding my support to the idea. To see how this move can dramatically increase the enrollment and influence of a college, check out the similar moves that Eastern University (of the American Baptist denomination) made in the 90's and Y2K.
6) The current leadership and board of the Home Missions Department needs to be replaced ASAP. This arm of the denomination is one of the reasons FWB's are not growing. There is not a clear vision of church planting, nor a competent understanding of how to accomplish it in the 21st century from the men entrusted to run this agency. While there are some home missionaries doing cutting-edge and pioneering work, Home Missions is not producing and preparing enough church planters to contribute to significant church growth to the denomination. For FWB's to continue to exist, the Home Missions Department needs a complete overhaul in philosophy and personnel.
7) Free Will Baptists need to continue to undersand there are a variety of ways to do ministry. Some churches are hymn singing, Southern Gospel churches where the pastors wear suits and ties, while others are rock music playing, hand clapping churches where the pastors wear goatees and flipflops. Which leads to my last observation...
8) A denomination can be united without having uniformity. What is interesting about Free Will Baptists is that in doctrine, they essentially all believe the same thing. They are not as theologically divided as Presbyterians, United Methodists or Episcopalians. In essence, Free Will Baptists agree on the basic tenets of the denomination's theology, but differ on practical areas of ministry. Emphasize the unity and throw out the idea that all churches have to be uniform. Enjoy the diversity of ministry options within the group and encourage one another as you attempt to reach the world for Christ.
From time to time, I am tempted to rejoin the NAFWB and maybe one day I will. While there are times I miss not being in a denomination, I do not miss some of the silliness that goes on between grown-ups who profess the same Lord. I guess that is one of the struggles all Christian have to face, whether they are Free Will Baptists or not.
