wfn.org | Re: AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR NOV. 15, 1996

[LEAH_MCCARTER.parti@ecunet.org (LEAH MCCARTER)]

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AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

American Baptists Examine Violence, Reconciliation

by Laura Alden, American Baptist National Ministries
 The police cruisers racing toward the site of a 
shooting down the street confirmed for those gathered at 
Dorchester Temple, Boston, that violence continues to 
characterize contemporary society, despite widespread 
efforts to address it.  Yet the 120 American Baptists who 
met together Oct. 27-30 in Massachusetts left "Grounded in 
Hope," a public mission consultation sponsored by National 
Ministries, believing with the Rev. Héctor Cortez "that 
Jesus reaches out and stops the procession of death in its 
tracks."
 Cortez, associate executive director of Biblical 
Justice for National Ministries, cited the raising of the 
widow's son (Luke 7:11-17) as Jesus' affirmation of a life-
giving witness.  "We believe," said Cortez, "that the power 
of life is stronger than the power of death."
 Dr. Linda Spoolstra, executive minister of The 
American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, welcomed the 
participants by recognizing the work of local churches who 
are engaged in the struggle to end violence in their 
communities.  "Whether it's a campaign to end street 
violence, domestic violence, school violence or global 
violence, the work to save souls involves our commitment to 
end violence as a way to solve our differences," Spoolstra 
said.
 Through Bible study, worship, workshops, plenary 
presentations and prayer, participants sought to "discern 
God's presence amid conflict and violence."  Speakers and 
leaders addressed the roots, realities, and responses to 
violence as well as exploring redemptive possibilities.
 The root of violence, according to the Rev. Dan 
Buttry, "is the violence of denying the image of God in 
another human being."  The path to hope and redemption, 
noted Buttry, co-pastor of the First Baptist Church of 
Dearborn, Mich., begins when we "recognize the [other's] 
suffering and our own complicity in evil." Restoring a sense 
of shared humanity is a "redemptive step through the mercy 
and grace we receive from the crucified Jesus," he said.  
Buttry also is coordinator of the Gavel Memorial Peace Fund 
for the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America.
 Dr. George Cummings asked, "What does it mean to be a 
community of hope, faith and action in a world full of 
conflict?" Cummings, pastor of Imani Community Church, 
Oakland, Calif., and professor of systematic theology at the 
American Baptist Seminary of the West, offered the response: 
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" 
(Romans 12:21). In daily living, said Cummings, this 
response was demonstrated by Jesus, who "lived as though God 
reigns." In order to live similarly, according to Cummings, 
"we must be committed to embodying the Lordship of Christ 
which will lead us to transforming actions in the public 
square."
 The Rev. Bruce Wall, co-pastor of Dorchester Temple 
Baptist Church, related the story of the TenPoint Coalition, 
a ministry with youth on the streets of the Cogan Square 
section of Boston.  He expressed concern that similar 
outreach efforts continue.  "We can have all the conferences 
we want," he said, "but if we do not speak the Word and 
hearts do not change, we will have no impact.  We have to 
personally go into this culture of violence and change it in 
the name of Jesus."
 Recalling the histories of American Indians who were 
invaded and African Americans who were enslaved, the Rev. 
Jim West noted that violence is the legacy of "the 
systematic destruction of families." West is president of 
Futures for Children, Albuquerque, N.M.  Recounting his 
personal battle with violence, which "almost took over my 
life," West called on the church community to seek 
reconciliation with oppressed peoples through confession, 
forgiveness and reparation.
 The consultation convened one day at Dorchester Temple 
Baptist Church where a panel including police and city 
officials shared their work together to reduce violence in 
their community.  Co-pastors Bruce Wall, Craig McMullen and 
Eli Hernandez shared the church's vision of starting a 
worship service specifically geared to the youth culture.
 Workshop topics at the event included "Dealing with 
Divisive and Difficult Issues in Our Churches," "Conflict 
Transformation," "The Sermon on the Mount for a Violent 
World," "Redimiendo las Communidades Ministerio Intencional" 
and "A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence."
 National Ministries has focused on violence and 
reconciliation since the adoption of the American Baptist 
policy statement on violence by the denomination's General 
Board in June 1998.
 "Parenting Non-violent Children," the third in a 
series, is the theme for the coming issue of The Christian 
Citizen, a resource for churches that is published by 
National Ministries.  Themes for previous issues were 
"Domestic Violence" and "Youth Violence."  For more 
information call 1-800-ABC-3USA/ext. 2394.
11/15/99
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