(from “Problems of the Christian Life” series, Baptist Standard, April 3, 1968)
Some contend that nothing should be said in public, particularly in print, about denominational politics. My viewpoint is that there is little hope for correction of the situation unless Baptists generally know about it.
It is also suggested that we should expect a certain amount of politics in denominational life. Such seems to be inevitable in a democracy.
Also, pastors and others who are involved in denominational work are human. Many of them have the ambitions of the natural man; and we should expect, it is claimed, that some would use political methods to gain the recognition they desire.
We may admit the validity of the preceding but insist that as much political maneuvering as we have had in recent years is unhealthful and a real threat to our spiritual democracy.
Many Southern Baptists may doubt that the problem is real. I have personally been convinced that it is very real.
I have been told of gatherings in hotel rooms at state conventions, but particularly at Southern Baptist Conventions, that mapped out strategies to elect a certain person to a particular office.
I have even heard of trade-outs: “If you will get me elected to a certain committee, I will get you or a friend or relative of yours elected to an important committee or to the board of one of our institutions or agencies.”
Campaigns are made to get an honorary degree for a particular individual or to secure recognition for him as a “distinguished alumni.”
Unfortunately, many individuals who seek through political means and pressure to gain position and prestige for themselves succeed. It is rather interesting that the positions and recognition that are most frequently sought are those where the prestige of the position is much more prominent than the work to be performed.
This may be one reason that the executive leadership of Southern Baptists, in the main, has been and is of the highest type. Also, such leadership is selected by a comparatively small group, such as a board.
Politics more frequently enter when a position is filled by popular vote. Too many Baptists are swayed by an appeal to prejudice. Their emotions rather than their intellect determine how they vote.
Let us do what we can to keep denominational politics clean. Any political maneuvering should at least be done by one’s friends rather than by himself. Also, it should be without any suggestion from the individual. And, by all means, if we are going to have politics, let us never be involved in any trades.
Would it not be a wonderful thing if everyone chosen to fill a position of trust and honor in the local church, the association, the state convention, or the Southern Baptist Convention were someone who had not sought the place personally or through his friends?
One answer to politics in the denomination is for more of our best, most capable, and thoroughly trained and dedicated pastors and laymen to become actively involved in denominational life. More of these men need to be willing to get their hands a little dirty, if need be, by mixing in denominational politics. Sometimes the more personally ambitious men take over the organizational structure of the denomination by default.