Examining a Progressive Church’s Mission Statement

Examining a Progressive Church’s Mission Statement

Jeff Miller

12/12/23

Last week, I attended a clergy Christmas party for the local association of churches that I am part of. I had gotten into a conversation with a couple of other clergymen who had been part of the denomination for quite a while. The conversation had to do with a certain couple of churches–formerly of the association–that left for another one (a couple-hours drive away from their churches) so that they could be part of a more ‘accepting’ association.

While the two clergymen didn’t go into detail, they did say the separation was contentious, if I understood right, on the part of the two churches that left.

I was curious of one of those churches in particular–since it is right down the road from where I grew up; was my father’s family’s church; was where my parents were married; a church that I visited a number of times before its progressive leaning; and where my uncle stayed until the mid-to-late 90s when the pastor shocked the congregation with a sermon based on why he doesn’t believe in Hell, and that ‘even the Devil himself will be saved’ at the final judgment.

So I looked it up on the Internet, and below, I’ll post its statement of faith (in italics). It speaks quite well for itself, but thought I’d add my commentary (in regular font):  

“First Baptist Church of … is a body of faith, based on community in God and with each other. We celebrate the freedom to ask questions and seek answers together as we journey on a common path guided by the teachings of Christ Jesus.”

Nothing wrong with being on a common path. I often tell my own congregation that the Christian life is a walk, one step at a time, side-by-side with Christ. But it seems by the wording here that they are not journeying with Christ (in a verticle way), but with each other only (in a more horizontal way). 

There is also nothing wrong with asking questions, but how one seeks answers, and where those answers come from is another story. 

Are we “guided” by the “teachings” of Christ? Sort of, but not completely. To some, this may sound a bit blasphemous, but the teachings of Christ are actually not any more authoritative than the teachings of Peter, Paul and John, since all scripture is breathed from the same God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). One must examine scripture as a whole, not just the stuff they like. Afterall, Jesus spoke a tremendous amount about Hell.

“Although there may be differences among us, we believe that we can love alike even though we may not think alike.”

Amen (1 Cor. 13).

“While the church (universal) has made progress in being open and affirming to many groups, there continues to be condemnation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons from the community of faith, or at least, a tolerance of such condemnation and exclusion through silence. We believe such actions are inconsistent with Christ’s teachings.”

Are they? Did Christ teach about LGBTQ+ issues? Of course not. If so, the church (universal) wouldn’t be having this debate. But why did Jesus never teach about LGBTQ+ issues? Some on the left of center would say that because Jesus never condemned homosexuality, then it must be okay. But that’s not right (no pun…okay, pun intended). Jesus never addressed homosexuality because it simply wasn’t an issue for the Jewish people of his day, nor was it a universal issue until just the past 30 years. It had already been considered a sin for several thousand years before Christ, and another 2,000 afterward. The Jewish people had no contention with it. And no one else did (of the Judeo-Christian faith) until now. 

What Jesus taught were things from a new perspective–what the Kingdom of God was like; the judgment and hypocrisy of religious leaders (which has been universal throughout the ages–and has tainted the conservative churches whereby many trying to find balance swing their pendulum past center, to left).

Jesus did teach us how to love one another, including our enemies and those who were looked down upon–the story of the woman at the well is a perfect example, as is the woman caught in adultery. But notice his words to the adulteress, “Go and sin no more.” This is a balance between God’s grace and His command of holiness. Not either/or as both those on the right and left might unintentionally emphasize.  

“Therefore, we proclaim that our community of faith welcomes, affirms, and embraces people from all family configurations, religious backgrounds, racial and cultural identities, ages, economic status, divorced, partnered, single, married, differing abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.”

And this is where it gets tricky. We should–as stated above in the examples of the women whom Jesus reached out to in love; and with the very definition of love in 1 Cor. 13–we should welcome and embrace everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. Hence, prison ministries for example. But as also stated above, the people who come into our churches should not leave the way in which they came; but be transformed by the power and renewing of The Holy Spirit at work in their lives. 

I almost refrained from pasting the entirety of this chapter into this blog post since it is so lengthy, but instead linking it. However, it is so important to this topic that I decided to post it in order to exemplify the balance between grace and holiness: 

Romans 12

(New International Version)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Mission Statement continues:

“Through our American Baptist heritage of religious liberty and soul freedom we invite all people to fully participate in the life and ministries of First Baptist Church of … as we journey together toward reconciliation through Christ.”

I have to admit, one of the things about the American Baptist denomination that I admire is its liberties–meaning that it us up to the church, not the denomination, as to how it worships. Churches in the ABC are autonomous, which is why there can be liberal churches and conservative churches in the same locale. 

At the Christmas dinner, the same two clergymen also answered my question regarding whether or not the American Baptist denomination is considered liberal at-large. I had thought they had a reputation for being more conservative, but had recently heard otherwise. In short, their answer was that as far as most congregations go, on average, churches are conservative; but as far as the administration goes at the regional and national levels, they can be more prone to liberalism, especially when it comes to social justice programs and the like. However, what this particular church means by liberty in its mission statement is up for interpretation. 

Also up for interpretation is the phrase, “as we journey together toward reconciliation through Christ.” At first, I thought they meant reconciliation in Christ, which as John Lennox brilliantly pointed out here, is instantaneous, not a journey. But what I think they mean is a reconciliation amongst each other–specifically those of the LGBTQ+ community. Could they mean otherwise, such as race? Perhaps. Of course, no one would argue against race reconciliation, other than how necessary it might need to be in this day and age.

“We do so in keeping with our understanding of the Scripture and our experience of God’s Spirit showing us that all people are created in the image of God, and, as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love and grace.”

Another ambiguous phrase, “our understanding of the Scripture and our experience of God’s Spirit.” What, exactly is their understanding of Scripture, and what experience do they have of God’s Spirit? Afterall, the former pastor that I mentioned from the mid-to-late 90s, who gave the sermon on why he doesn’t believe in Hell, used no scripture in that sermon at all. The only foundational basis for his sermon was, “This is the God that I know.”

I should also point out this (what I like to call, “Oprah-Winfrey”) phrase: “as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love and grace.” Again, please let me reference The Book of Romans: 

Chapter 3:

9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one…”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Chapter 8:

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 

And let me say another ‘amen’ to this last phrase:

“In a common community through God we honor and support one another in our joys and sorrows, celebrate life’s significant passages, and care for each other through life’s difficulties as we continue the journey.”

And that is why we call church a ‘family.’

Closing thoughts:

I realize this is a lengthy blog post–almost as long as a sermon. But I find it crucial that we examine what a progressive-leaning church truly believes–and no better way to do so than by looking at its own mission statement. This post was meant to be a rather mildly indignant observation and a word of caution. And I hope those who have read this take it in the Spirit in which it was intended.

There is an old saying, “every good lie has some bit of truth.” Of course it does, how else would it be believable, and in some cases, hard to refute–especially by those who are only mildly familiar with Biblical passages? But is this church deliberately lying? Of course not. Unfortunately, it has been lied to by The Father of Lies.

But how do we correct church-goers in congregations such as this? Should we? Afterall, even if we correct in the most loving and kind manner, it may still turn hostile. I certainly am not asking anyone to start a conversation or an argument, but if you are asked, please be able to kindly answer questions, sow seeds, and know when you are making headway and when you are casting pearls before swine.

If anything, at least be on guard when it comes to your own faith, and to place friends and family members of such churches in your prayers. 

When using the phrase “to be on guard,” I was reminded of a book with the same name by Dr. William Lane Craig. If you need a little help with being on guard in your own life, I would highly recommend his book. Here is a brief interview with him on the role of apologetics in evangelism: