THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090410
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ESTHER DISKIN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
The Baptist General Association of Virginia - buffeted for years by debate over interpretation of the Scriptures and public stands on abortion and homosexuality - is accelerating toward a formal split.
Conservative congregations, which organized two years ago as a splinter group called Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, on Tuesday voted unanimously to appoint an executive director to lead them. The group voted 150-60 against forming a separate organization immediately, but several pastors said that is likely to happen eventually.
``Obviously, we are to strive for unity, not just with Baptists but with all people,'' said the Rev. Doyle Chauncey, an associate pastor at the 5,000-member First Baptist Church of Norfolk, where the conservatives' meeting was held. ``But it's hard for us to go on missions together, to win the world for Christ, when we have such differences of opinion on what it means to receive Christ as savior.''
Chauncey is treasurer of the conservative group, which has a $221,000 budget for 1996 fed by donations from about 93 churches across the state. Chauncey said it is premature to start a new group, but said the issue should be considered again after a director takes the helm. ``I'd like to see us stay together,'' he said. ``But if our differences are so great that we can't stay together, let us separate in love.''
The divisions in the state Baptist association - the largest denomination in the state with the support of 1,561 churches - mirror the conflict that has torn the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention, which is controlled by a conservative faction.
The main skirmish is about a literal reading of the Bible, and whether certain portions - like the experience of Adam and Eve in Eden - are historical fact or myths designedto transmit a moral message. Conservatives oppose the work of scholars who question the historical accuracy of the Bible, and have fought against funding seminaries that they feel promote such views.
The debate has spilled over to moral issues. While nearly all Baptists consider abortion and homosexuality to be sinful, conservatives have pushed for stronger public statements condemning both practices.
The Virginia conservatives' decision is likely to have an instant impact at the Baptist General Association's meeting, which kicks off today at the Virginia Beach Pavilion. Conservatives have long railed against moderates' control of the association, and have banded together to raise issues and nominate a slate of conservative officers.
This year, many of them are boycotting the association meeting. ``Each time that the conservatives have been there, the liberals and moderates have thwarted any recommendation or motion we've brought up,'' said the Rev. Howard Baldwin, a Richmond-based evangelist who is interim director of the conservatives' group. ``What they decide, they decide. We won't be there to protest.''
However, some churches - including First Baptist Church of Norfolk, which hosted the conservatives' meeting and a Bible conference on Wednesday - will be sending representatives to the association meeting.
Some conservatives have already made their displeasure clear by reducing or eliminating their funding of the state association's $15 million annual budget, which has amounted to a loss of $500,000, according to the Rev. Bob Lynch, director of communications.
Those congregations simply send their donations straight to the national convention, partly to avoid funding the Richmond Baptist Theological Seminary and other state institutions that they feel are too liberal.
``In effect, they've already moved away,'' said the Rev. Donald Dunlap, pastor at Freemason St. Baptist Church in Norfolk, which is part of the association's moderate majority. ``If they pull out and form their own group, it will only formalize what already exists.''
Lynch said it is unlikely that the association will address the looming split at the meeting, either by taking steps to seek reconciliation or sever relations with the conservative group. But he expressed regret that matters had reached a stand-off.
``It's a bad example. . . . We talk about relationship and community, but we have some divisions within our denomination that seem to not be able to be addressed,'' Lynch said. ``I don't think there is much dialogue going on right now . . . not dialogue across the aisle.'' by CNB