Identity Statement Discussion Session 1
- The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (CBWC)
- The history of the Identity Statement
- A summary of past CBWC resolutions
- Resolutions about sexual identity in more detail
- Frequently asked questions
- Five Best Practices for Congregational Meetings and Discussions
- What happens next at WVBC?
1. The Canadian Baptist of Western Canada (CBWC)
- Covers three regions
- British Columbia and Yukon
- Mountain Standard Region - Alberta and Northwest Territories
- Heartland Region - Saskatchewan and Manitoba
- ‘CBWC prayerfully supports local churches and their communities by training leaders, supporting innovative ministries, responding compassionately to social needs, responding to crises, and providing churches with administrative and financial services. In partnership with our local churches, CBWC also plays a collaborative role in seeding new expressions of church for today’
- Headquarters – Calgary
- 165 Churches
- Annual Assembly every May in or near Calgary
- West Vancouver Baptist Church (WVBC) has been a member of CBWC since its beginnings
2. The history of the Identity Statement
- In 2013, two-member churches allowed people in same-sex relationships into membership, though they were challenged by the CBWC staff
- In 2017, 7 Alberta churches also challenged this approach and asked that the two churches be requested to step down from the CBWC
- In the words of Larry Schram, the Board and staff of the CBWC felt strongly that the CBWC always has had and needs to continue to have a collective identity that should be expressed and upheld. It was decided, therefore, that this issue was of sufficient importance that an Identity Statement be compiled to reaffirm the core values of the CBWC and be voted on in Assembly 2022
- In 2021 Rob Ogilvie, CBWC’s Executive Minister wrote “CBWC leadership is putting forward a process, not a conclusion…. The Executive Minister’s role is not to set the direction and policy of the association of churches he represents – that must come from the churches…. Some CBWC churches and individuals believe local church autonomy allows them complete independence to make their own decisions around membership. Other churches and individuals believe that since they have voluntarily joined together as an association with other churches there is an understanding of interdependence – a common set of beliefs….It is engaging with people who think differently than us that makes us grow. There is a richness to diversity that is not to be feared, but rather engaged.”
- At Assembly 2022, the CBWC is asking churches to affirm or not affirm Motion 1 of the Identity Statement which says ‘Be it resolved that we, the member churches of the CBWC affirm the Identity Statement’. i.e. support, uphold and accept that the statement offers an accurate portrayal of who we are as a family of faith. Motions 2 and 3 will be voted on in 2023
- The statement embodies what is contained in the current Ministry Protocol Manual i.e. the professional and ethical protocols governing every member church and credentialled minister of the CBWC which is reaffirmed by the Annual Assembly every year
3. A summary of past CBWC resolutions
Resolutions arise from current social issues. There have been seven resolutions in the history of the CBWC
- 1959: the local church’s right to ordain women to gospel ministry
- 1987: non-proliferation of nuclear arms
- 1988: the life, liberty, and security of the unborn as a person •
- 2003, 2011, 2015 – definition of marriage, sexual behaviour in the confines of marriage and clergy obligations around officiating marriages
- 2017: UN declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People
4. Resolutions about sexual identity in more detail
- 2003: ‘Marriage is
- 1) publicly covenanting together for life
- 2) between a woman and a man who live together in a relationship
- 3) characterized by troth, and
- 4) fidelity and for the purpose of,
- 5) lifelong companionship. Mutual interdependence and responsibility for each other and potential procreation,
- 6) it is symbolic of God’s relationship to his people and Jesus Christ’s relationship to his church •
- 2003, 2011, 2015: ‘Statement of sexual behaviour: ‘the statement of the CBWC with regard to any sexual behaviour outside of monogamous heterosexual marriage is that it is not affirmed’
- 2015: ‘to be consistent with denominated policy on marriage, be it clarified that we call upon all CBWC ministers and their churches to make every effort to demonstrate Christian love to individuals who are same-sex attracted’
5. Frequently asked questions:
Q1 What is the nature of the Assembly
A: The Assembly and its representatives have the final word on things like approval of ordination, credentialing for ministry, budgeting for ministries, and affirming our common understanding of things like marriage, membership, and the protocol of ministers and churches. As such the Assembly decisions are ‘the final word’ for our family as to what we collectively believe the will of God is for us
Q2 What is the nature and purpose of delegates to the Assembly
A: Delegates are there as representatives of their local church to join the journey of discernment with the larger family of faith
Q3 Why discuss the Identity Statement now?
A: Being unable to hold an in-person assembly in 2021, the statement will be addressed at Assembly 2022 and 2023
Q4 What about congregational autonomy?
A: The practical outworking of local church autonomy alongside of association with other Baptist churches is that every church has the right to disagree with the Assembly. Conversely, the Assembly also has the right to disagree with the decisions of local churches
Q5 Discussion on Motion 1
-
- We tend to focus on the marriage clause in the Statement. But should we be debating other aspects of the Statement?
- Are there points which should be added to the Statement?
A: To be discussed at the meeting
6. FIve Best Practices for Congregational Meetings and Discussions
- Come well informed
- Come well prepared in spirit
- When at the meeting, listen to others thoughtfully
- Prepare with diligence what you want to say
- Introduce yourself and address the chair or facilitator when speaking to the issues at hand
7. What happens next at WVBC?
- Discussion Session 2: Sexual identity. Wednesday, March 23, 7.00 pm
- What does the bible say on sexual identity?
- Open time for questions •Discussion Session
- 3: The vote: Wednesday, April 13, 7.00 pm (There will also be further special prayer times to bring the Identity Statement before the Lord in advance of the vote) •
- Select delegates to represent WVBC in Calgary, May 26-28 One pastor plus two delegates plus one delegate for every 50 members above 100. Anyone can attend the Assembly but only delegates can vote.
- Delegate profile: ‘Someone who will put your church’s priorities over their own priorities and opinions’. A church should ‘give the delegates freedom to vote with their conscience as the Lord leads, taking into account what they know about your church’