A Third Party in Baptist Governance

I am more guilty than most in declaring that Tennessee Baptists have adopted (or inherited) a political party system for denominational governance. Honestly, the thought that rational Christian men and women are so divided that they can no longer trust one another creates a knot in my stomach. I hope that God has a sense of humor. The behavior of Tennessee Baptists on all sides of the conservative, moderate, and liberal debates is laughable...sadly laughable. The reality of today is that one group feels that they have unique ownership of the truth and tends to bully-pulpit their agenda...I do not have to put a label on that group. Suffice it to say, if the shoe fits wear it.

The Baptist situation in Texas is bigger more out of control. A Texas blog titled aintsobad offers several interesting thoughts on creating a third party that is Internet based, with a single paid position whose job is to disburse funds based on the consensus of the party. Essentially, the objective of this third party network would be to collect funds and distrubute funds where they are needed most, without a mountain of institutional overhead. In light of the highly engaging but less-than-productive squabbling within Baptist ranks at the convention level, I am beginning to think that there are many of us who would like to get some cooperative ministry work done without as much BS (Baptist Superfluities) native to the political arena. It is an interesting, forward thinking blog post that closes with the following:

You may not like the blogger(s) or his(their) message(s), though I am now seeing the courageous editor of the Baptist Standard (TX) start to repeat that message in tones loud and clear. Like the bloggers or not, the truth is things are much harder to sweep under the carpet now.

Can we not find better ways to relate/account/cooperate with one another with the use of current (and then future) technologies? If the Elitist Party now in control continues to marginalize the presence of the messengers (and so the local church), what is our alternative? Do we dare settle for more of the same?(my emphasis)

Hat tip to Just Todd.