Watching the coverage of authorities rescuing the women and children from the polygamist compound in Texas, I saw a shot of many of them being taken away in a Baptist church van. The Baptist Standard has an article about the ministry work of Texas Baptists during this case, including First Baptist Church of Eldorado offering use of its facilities. Perhaps many of the women and children will always think of their rescue whenever they see a van or church sign that says "Baptist." If only that was a metaphor for how Baptists were always viewed--as those who are there to rescue and care for others. Sometimes, however, it sadly seems that when people see the word "Baptist" on a van or church sign, they instead think of conflict, judging, or hypocrisy. Hopefully, we can change that perception by focusing more on ministry efforts, like those helping in the aftermath of this recent rescue.What Are We Known For?
Watching the coverage of authorities rescuing the women and children from the polygamist compound in Texas, I saw a shot of many of them being taken away in a Baptist church van. The Baptist Standard has an article about the ministry work of Texas Baptists during this case, including First Baptist Church of Eldorado offering use of its facilities. Perhaps many of the women and children will always think of their rescue whenever they see a van or church sign that says "Baptist." If only that was a metaphor for how Baptists were always viewed--as those who are there to rescue and care for others. Sometimes, however, it sadly seems that when people see the word "Baptist" on a van or church sign, they instead think of conflict, judging, or hypocrisy. Hopefully, we can change that perception by focusing more on ministry efforts, like those helping in the aftermath of this recent rescue.
Well, it's tough to follow up that previous comment, but I wanted to note that I think Jesus fairly well predicted how we would be looked at. He told us people would hate us. People look at others how they want to, not necessarily how those people really are. Anytime anyone stands up and tells someone they are wrong in how they live or what they do, they will be hated for it. Only, in this instance, the general public agrees with the Baptists, so they are therefore looked well upon. We will see what happens next week when FBC resumes telling people that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that without Christ you will spend eternity in Hell. You know . . . Bible stuff. Then what will the world remember about what FBC did?
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D.R.: Jesus did say we would be hated for following him, but that does not mean every time we are hated it is because we are doing God's work or when we are loved we are not. My point is that we are supposed to be sharing the message of the love of Jesus, but that is often lost behind our own hateful way of delivering it. We need more loving acts and messages like this one.
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