Strange. When I first felt called to become a baptist, I thought it was about believer's baptism. Yes, that is still part of it. But now the heart of the matter has, for me, moved. It is now about developing communal discernment and disciples deciding together. Bringing people into a place of dignity, recognising the command of God as a people who belong together. Baptised disciples bonded together under Jesus' rule.
But there are other factors that can confuse the equation. Leadership and vision. Leadership is necessary, but only to serve the development of disciples in discerning and deciding together. The world want leaders to arise who can give us a vision: charismatic figures who can form a cult. But vision comes from God. It may be articulated by leaders. But it is for disciples to discern and decide together. That's our baptist way.
Leadership. Vision. Disciples discerning and deciding. Let's not confuse the three.
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Personal Reflections as a follower of the Way
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- 'Christian faith is purposeful participation in the life, ministry & victory of Jesus Christ'
- Married to Jennifer & serving together in full-time Church ministry since 1980. Committed to the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures. Influenced by Reformed, Orthodox, Catholic mystics, Anabaptists, Pietists, Puritans and Pentecostals and baptistic to the core! So thankful for Jesus, seeking to follow Him and inviting you to explore these pages to find out more about the exciting beauty of worshipping God through becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.