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As the son of two ministers and brother/cousin of several more ministers - today’s announcement puts an immense amount of pressure on leaders, specifically Baptist leaders.
Here’s how that works. 1/?
Here’s how that works. 1/?
Traditionally, Baptist churches are autonomous. That means each church can make its own rules.
(My comments will pertain to the operation of the vast majority of Baptist churches. While there are some differences most operate as described below.)
(My comments will pertain to the operation of the vast majority of Baptist churches. While there are some differences most operate as described below.)
Churches often choose to join an association of other Baptist churches. The largest is the Southern Baptist Convention. (There are many smaller associations.)
Unlike the Catholic Church; even if the church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (or another they are free to choose how to govern their church.
(For purposes of this thread we will exclude discussion on being “kicked out” for theological reasons.)
(For purposes of this thread we will exclude discussion on being “kicked out” for theological reasons.)
At the local church level each church is made up of two groups: Members and Attenders.
The distinction is important becuase a person can be a member and never attend, but no matter how many times you attend you cannot be a member without joining.
The distinction is important becuase a person can be a member and never attend, but no matter how many times you attend you cannot be a member without joining.
Members generally have the right to vote on congregational matters like the church budget, hiring a new minster, taking out a loan to repair the roof, and most importantly for this discussion who can become a deacon.
The deacon board is basically a religious form of a board of directors. It really functions like a de facto unicameral legislative body.
While most big decisions are voted on by the entire congregation for the most part the suggestions from the deacons are just a rubber stamp.
Here is an example regarding a budget process:
1. Administrative Pastor drafts the budget with assistance of all church staff.
2. Deacon Board Personnel Committee and Deacon Board Finance Committee each weigh in and a final budget is proposed to deacons for vote.
1. Administrative Pastor drafts the budget with assistance of all church staff.
2. Deacon Board Personnel Committee and Deacon Board Finance Committee each weigh in and a final budget is proposed to deacons for vote.
3. The approved budget is then presented to the congregation for final vote.
Sounds simple! BUT - Politics!!
The vote typically just needs a majority to pass. So a church of 400 members might have 20-30 deacons. (Yeah a HUGE number!!)
The vote typically just needs a majority to pass. So a church of 400 members might have 20-30 deacons. (Yeah a HUGE number!!)
Let’s say this church has 21 deacons. The vote might pass 21-0, but could pass 11-10.
The closer the vote the uglier it gets.
The closer the vote the uglier it gets.
Let’s say the final vote was 15-6. A strong pass by the board.
But if the 6 are angry enough they can start calling people before the congregational vote.
They can make up lies or spin the facts. (Sound familiar)
But if the 6 are angry enough they can start calling people before the congregational vote.
They can make up lies or spin the facts. (Sound familiar)
Then you might have a real fight on your hands at a congregational meeting.
So what does this have to do with Coronavirus and the CDC/Trump rules?
Deacon boards and church staff have been meeting virtually all across the southeast for weeks trying to figure out what to do.
Thankfully most churches have a doctor, nurse, scientist, or science teacher on the board or if not in the congregation.
They have been diligently receiving advice from them and have been keeping their churches closed.
The deacon board typically leaves the day to day operational issues to the pastoral staff.
“Should we delay or close for snow” etc.
“Should we delay or close for snow” etc.
Now the pressure has started, “The President says we can open, the governor says we can open, your precious CDC says we can open.”
Pretty soon the deacons will want to call for a board vote. At this point it isn’t a congregational issue.
Pretty soon the deacons will want to call for a board vote. At this point it isn’t a congregational issue.
But if it gets to 13-8, 12-9, 11-10 someone will make a motion to bring this to the congregation.
Then you’ll have a full on campaign where the pastor may be questioned about his lack of faith in God.
And you will have church members voting on whether or not to reopen.
Then you’ll have a full on campaign where the pastor may be questioned about his lack of faith in God.
And you will have church members voting on whether or not to reopen.
Think it can’t happen? In the mid 90s a deacon who was angry with my parents used the church directory to mail an anonymous letter to every church member accusing my dad of embezzlement trying to take over the church and other things.
Remember how members can vote if they don’t attend? This is when deacons will call people still on the membership roll but who never attend and have them vote.
Stuffing the ballot box so to speak. Imagine that.
Stuffing the ballot box so to speak. Imagine that.
