Presentation brief on behalf of the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship
(*summary notes, not exact)

◦ A polarized world needs a peacemaking church.

◦ A polarized church will never be ambassadors for God’s reconciling peace.

◦ Peace ambassadors emphasize shared identities and values, starting with belonging to Christ (1Cor 3:5-7).

◦ Peace ambassadors model positive norms (1Cor 11:1).

◦ Peace ambassadors reaffirm gospel centrality (1 Cor 15:3-5).

Presentation from Dr. Bart Barber, pastor at FBC Farmersville, and Southern Baptist Convention President (2022-2023)

7 Characteristics for Cooperation
(*Summary notes, not exact, from listening to Dr. Barber’s seminar)

◦ Doctrinal & Ethical compatibility. Baptists have always had set beliefs committed to and promoted. It should be known that compatibility is not always the same as accountability. Essentially, autonomy is based upon the aggregate of understood belief and practices. Churches are autonomous, so as not necessarily to police each other but to willingly pool resources for shared mission based upon compatibility.

◦ Mutual respect amid differences. Context requires some change of practices. A creedal people doesn’t execute those with contrasting perspectives; charity must permeate truth.

◦ Fairness and accessibility to decision making. Each one has a vote, though some have a more significant voice due to various circumstances. Our cooperative bond weakens when people believe the decisions are pre-made/rigged.

◦ Fair representation in appointment, elections, and hirings. Though the scale of organization may not create exact representation, churches need to see themselves in other churches and among the leadership of those churches. This is not affirmative action but family inclusion. Otherwise, people who are left out will leave out.

◦ Doctrinal accountability for entities. This occurs through personal and corporate giving, as well as election of trustees providing oversight of beliefs and priorities of such entities.

◦ Financial transparency and accountability for entities. Transparency doesn’t necessarily mean every line item and dollar is public. Yet being financially being opaque is unacceptable. Some questions: 1) Are my gifts funding objectives outside the bounds of doctrinal accountability? 2) Are my gifts proportionally being used according to the priorities expressed according to convention votes? 3) Are gifts being administered with honesty and integrity? 4) Are gifts administered with trusted and competent oversight?

◦ Committed to operating budget. It’s my money to “our”plan… not “my” plan. Our plan may not be my plan, yet it’s our plan bc we are compatible and accountable where we need. Support is provided based upon a trusted family that we can do things together that we could not do independently. This is the beauty and power of SBC for the Great Commission.

**
Dr. Bart Barber traveled to our two-state convention Maryland/Delaware to encourage Baptist cooperation and unity. Outside of the key points from Dr. Barber, the rest are my summary notes of his talk and not necessarily exact quotes. He had much to say on each of these points, along with historical precedence and current storytelling. Overall, his talk was well-received with lots of further reflection and consideration going forward.