Step Toward Unity

One of Interim President Sloan's expressed desires upon coming into his office was that Carson-Newman would better its relationships with Tennessee Baptists. The College's presentation at the 133rd Annual Session of the Tennessee Baptist Convention took an important step in that direction. The theme, "Exalting Jesus Through Fellowship," expressed the desire for unity among Tennessee Baptists at the convention held at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center of Kingsport, TN, on Nov. 13-14.

President Sloan's address affirmed that theme. He assured the messengers during Tuesday afternoon's presentation that Carson-Newman's dedication to Christ included the responsibility to deepen student's hearts as well as expand their thinking abilities.

"Please ask (our students) about their Carson-Newman experience," said Sloan. "Ask them what they are learning, how they feel about their faith and how they try to live it out. Ask them if Carson-Newman is worthy of your prayer support and financial backing."

The presentation included performances by the A Cappella choir, testimonials from students concerning their experiences at C-N.and a video featuring the importance of service opportunities for students. The presentation received two standing ovations from the attendees and was, according to Dr. Wade Bibb, Associate Professor of Religion, one of the best presentations of its kind that he's seen in his years at C-N. The student presenters included Josh Carpenter, Kelly Ferguson, Marilee Betz, Garrett Martin, James Mathis, Miriam Addison, Tyler Pace, Bethany Brown and David Haun. .

"Carson-Newman College's presence at the convention was obvious to all who attended," said Dr. Walter Crouch, Director of Church Relations. "Our students did the college proud and made a positive impact on the whole convention on behalf of C-N."

Pleas for unity were also expressed by Dr. James Porch, executive director of the TBC. He preached an altar-calling sermon on the importance of laying aside individual agendas and uniting at the feet of the cross. He stressed making room at "the table" for all kinds of Baptists. Porch used an object lesson of a table set with all kinds of dinner ware that would make all types of people comfortable, such as camp dishes, children's party plates, and chopsticks, among others. His attempt to address the diversity of Tennessee Baptists, along with a choral rendition of "I Surrender All" succeeded in bringing many attendees to the base of the stage in the convention center, on their knees in prayer.

Issues discussed in the business sessions of the TBC frequently referred back to Porch's sermon and individual efforts to work together as the body of Christ. Some of these issues included the body's out-of-court settlement of the situation with Belmont University, a formerly Baptist institution that has parted ways with the convention. During the process of Belmont's pulling away from the TBC it was discovered the Convention held the title to Belmont's land which allowed for the possibility of an expensive and divisive court battle. Rather than going to court, however, negotiations have brought the two entities to an out of court settlement of $11 million to be paid to the TBC with a $1 million payment now and increments of $250,000 per year over the next 40 years. Dr. Porch clarified that Belmont was not forced out of the convention "They chose to write themselves out of the (Baptist) family story.we wish the very best for Belmont University," said Porch. The Belmont resolution set the stage for the business sections of the convention that echoed many mentions of this year's theme of unity.

The afternoon of the 13th culminated in a vote on a motion to allow Baptists in ministry and service to affirm one of the three versions of The Baptist Faith and Message, the Southern Baptist statement of faith, rather than only the most recent and somewhat controversial version. The affirmation is not required but the information is made available about nominees to the various boards and committees of the TBC. Several speakers expressed the concern that this would allow differences on points of theology found in the different versions to become the settling factor for whether or not a person could be in ministry with the TBC. The originator of the motion said it was designed to be more inclusive of all types of Baptists as Porch encouraged and many, representing the affirmative side, spoke passionately on their desire for unity among Baptists, also referencing Porch's sermon. One used the words "unity of spirit without uniformity of conviction."

The same discussion resurfaced during Wednesday's business session as several nominees for the previously mentioned boards and committees were contested. Other information such as involvement in their church and the percentage of their budget that the nominees' churches give to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention was also made available. The only factor all seven challenged nominees held in common was their lack of complete affirmation of the most recent Baptist Faith and Message, a factor that many spoke against very strongly in the discussion. In the end, only one of the seven nominees was changed and the rest were appointed to their positions.

Other news from the convention includes the election of this year's president, Tom McCoy pastor of Thomson Station Baptist Church in Thomson Station, Tennessee. He calls himself a conservative and affirms the 2000 (most recent) Baptist Faith and Message. His church gave 6.99 percent of their budget to the Cooperative Program in the 2005-2006 year.

Despite the unity of spirit, there was indeed a lack of uniformity of conviction as many disagreed vastly on their views of things, shown by the failure of the previously mentioned motion on the Baptist Faith and Message by only seven votes as well as the election of a president who affirms it and of several committee and board members that do not.