English
Korean
Spanish
ARLINGTON, Texas ?A diverse group of evangelical pastors and laity including several Southern Baptists laid the groundwork during meetings March 2-3 for a new network of churches that will be a “vehicle to help mobilize and resource churches to fulfill the Great Commission.”
In its inaugural meeting at a hotel in Arlington, Texas, the Antioch Network of Churcheswill be an additional connection for churches “to partner with like-minded believers as the Spirit leads” without requiring conformity on “tertiary doctrinal matters,” SBC pastors involved said, according to a news release from the network.
The group of 50 people, including 42 pastors, met at the invitation of Dwight McKissic Sr., pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, and Wade Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Okla.
McKissic, who resigned last year as a trustee to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, and Burleson, who resigned his appointment to the International Mission Board trustees in January, were critical of the boards they served for what they said was the narrowing of doctrinal parameters for service in SBC agencies.
During the opening session, Burleson moderated a discussion about doctrinal parameters for the network, which he characterized as requiring simplicity and clarity, the press release said.
“A consensus doctrinal statement is needed to affirm our passion for Jesus Christ and the good news about his person and work,” Burleson said, according to the press release. “Because we treasure church autonomy, we respect churches that go further in their doctrinal statements, but it unnecessary for a network of autonomous churches who desire to cooperate in ministry to expect conformity on tertiary doctrinal matters.”
The group affirmed the following purpose statement:
“The Antioch Network of Churches will serve Jesus Christ by encouraging fellowship and ministry cooperation between churches of diverse denominational heritage and by affirming the autonomy of local churches to partner with like-minded believers as the Spirit leads. We are thankful for and intentional about retaining our preexisting identities, yet we do not suppose that those identities preclude our joint ministry with others who share our passion to proclaim the gospel.”
Another Southern Baptist, Paul Littleton, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Sapulpa, Okla., presented a paper on emerging church models and noted the need for multi-ethnic churches as a witness of the power of Jesus Christ.
The press release said Ralph Emerson, pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church in Fort Worth, led the conversation about an organizational structure and strategy for the network that included “bold gospel proclamation and application.”
The networkelected an exploratory leadership team to finalize the confessional framework and coordinate long-range plans, the release stated. The 12-member team will meet in April and includes six African-Americans, six Anglos, and men and women.
<SPAN style="FONT-
