by Keith Judson

I was intrigued and pleasantly surprised to see The Baptist Times’ new strapline – “The paper for Christians in Baptist Churches”. I think it’s spot on!

However, perhaps I should say that the following doesn't necessarily convey the view of `the Management'!

For some time I’ve thought this could be a very helpful phrase and advocated its use. The suggestion hasn’t met with universal approval and some people have looked at me very doubtfully. A Regional Minister uncertain about his Baptist identity? Surely not!

Well, probably not but I believe the phrase has a lot to commend it and am delighted that Mark Woods and team have appropriated it.

Over the years and especially since being in regional ministry, I have met people in Baptist churches who quickly tell me: “Of course, I’m not really a Baptist!”.

A few think labels such as “Baptist” are unhelpful in our ecumenically enlightened times - though most `ecumaniacs’ recognise the value of celebrating our diverse traditions rather than ignoring them.

Some regrettably identify the worst examples of Baptist church life, think that’s what being a Baptist means and wish to disassociate themselves. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you’re definitely not a Baptist!

Many come from other backgrounds - Anglican, Brethren etc. - and feel that roots determine their tribal allegiance. They may be worshipping in a Baptist church but if you cut them they’d bleed Methodist, or whatever. (Excuse the illustration!)

Perhaps most people I’m thinking of prefer to be identified as Evangelicals or simply Christians. They think denominations are at best passé or at worst out of step with the Holy Spirit. I well remember a popular (Baptist) speaker proclaiming the latter to enthusiastic applause at Spring Harvest thirty years ago.

There are three main reasons why I like the phrase, `Christians in Baptist Churches’.

Firstly, I don’t think it’s good to keep reminding some of the most gifted and committed folk in our churches that they’re not really `one of us’. Perhaps some readers would argue that we should be trying to convince these people they really are (or ought to be) Baptists? Well, it’s worth a try but I doubt it will work and may well prove counter-productive.

Secondly, my observation is that most young Christians don’t see the point of labels. Furthermore, they often see them as negative in a world already fragmented and divided. The business of following Jesus in 21st Century Britain is challenging enough without complicating matters!

Thirdly, I’m becoming more convinced that the really important thing is to renew our understanding of what it means to be in a Baptist Church! This means embracing our roots and the biblical ideals which truly give us our identity. It will also mean rooting out some of the unbiblical attitudes that damage the health of many Baptist churches: selfish individualism, an independent spirit and indifference to the task of encouraging missionary disciples.

(Such a renewal would also silence those who join Baptist churches and seek to undermine what they truly stand for!)

Read again the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle (an outworking of Matthew 28.18-20) and consider what it means to be a disciple-making community!

Ponder anew what it means to obey Christ’s laws. It has nothing to do with the things that make some church meetings look more like the House of Commons than a House of Prayer! (See Mark 12.30-31 and John 13.34-35.)

Watch the Thomas Helwys DVD (BMS World Mission) which I showed to a friend the other day. He’s a young Christian with some radical ideas about how to `do church’ and was really fired up by it.

Consider the young applicant for Baptist Ministry who told our Ministry Recognition Group how he’d become captivated by the idea that every disciple in a local Baptist Church is responsible under the rule of Christ for its life and mission.

Look at the young people preparing for service with BMS Action Teams at IMC  - where we’re privileged to have our Association Office. For the most part they are there through the support of Christians in Baptist Churches. See how easily it rolls off the tongue!

Baptists, Baptist Christians or Christians in Baptist Churches?

Over to you!

Rev'd Keith Judson (Regional Minister Team Leader)