Defining the identity of Southern Baptists isn’t an easy task, but the latest film in the “Forged by Faith” DVD series seeks to do just that.
“Forged by Faith: A Character of Commitment” tells the story of Southern Baptists around the world and provides six examples of what makes them who they are. Just over 17 minutes, the DVD is the third film in a series to help Southern Baptists better understand and appreciate their heritage and beliefs. Designed particularly for use in small groups, Sunday school classes, new member orientation and special programs, the DVDs are produced by the SBC Executive Committee. Segments of each DVD also can be used for sermon illustrations and in worship services.
The first DVD in the series, “Forged by Faith: The Early Years,” told the story of Southern Baptists’ early history, while the second DVD, “Forged by Faith: One Sacred Effort,” focused on the Cooperative Program. Other titles are in the works, including a forthcoming one looking at the Baptist Faith and Message.
“The film series is an updated way to supply information Southern Baptists once regularly received through the Training Union curriculum,” said Morris Chapman, president and CEO of the Executive Committee.
D. August Boto, who has written and produced much of the series, said he hopes the resource will continue to gain recognition as a useful training tool.
“I have heard of some churches which have incorporated the films into their new member training,” said Boto, executive vice president of the Executive Committee.
The narration of the latest DVD, “A Character of Commitment,” acknowledges that defining the Southern Baptist identity “is a challenge of significant proportion” due to “their broad range of diversity.” But, it notes, there are six key characteristics that give Southern Baptists their identity.
Southern Baptists are:
– Christians whose first loyalty is to Jesus
“They do not believe that being Southern Baptist makes one a Christian,” the narrator says. “They believe the only way to be a Christian is through an individual relationship with Jesus. They do not claim to be the only Christians or the only true Christian denomination or group. Southern Baptists identify with and pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ who work to advance the cause of Christ under another denominational or descriptive banner or as independent fellowships.”
– A people of the Book
“They view God’s word as indispensable. This stems from their belief that sound doctrine can only come from the Bible, which they also believe to be entirely reliable and authoritative. They credit their growth in ranks and ministry – at a time when other Christian groups have suffered decline – to their staunch adherence to this high view of scripture, which they hold openly and unashamedly and often in spite of contrary popular opinion.
“A strong characteristic displayed by most Southern Baptists is their individual and collective conviction that the value of any religious belief rises or falls in direct proportion to its biblical underpinning.”
– Evangelical
“Basically this means that they believe they have good news to share – that good news being the gospel message of the New Testament. They see the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20, as an assignment to all Christians?-?. Southern Baptists are enthusiastically missions-minded in their beliefs and practices, supporting an extremely large missionary personnel force both domestically and overseas. Southern Baptists are known for sharing the gospel as a part of every ministry they offer or perform.”
– Cooperative, resilient and adaptive
“They’re not uncomfortable with diversity, and welcome open and heartfelt debate about matters affecting church practice and doctrine. They recognize the Holy Spirit at work through the wide variety of giftedness possessed by their members and often distribute ministry assignments accordingly.”
A tour of various Southern Baptist churches, the narrator says, would show a “full range of worship styles,” including formal and expressive.
– Independent
“They follow a congregational approach where each local church is autonomous or self-governing. Southern Baptists consider the highest authority to be God, with the next highest to be their own local church. An institution known as ‘The Baptist Church’ does not exist, but rather only local Baptist churches. For this reason, Southern Baptists do not recognize religious authorities outside or above the local church?-?. A result of this mindset is that the various organizations with which the local churches choose to affiliate – such as associations, state conventions, and even the national Southern Baptist Convention – have no authority over any church.”
– Advocates of religious liberty who historically have been its guardian
“In fact, most Americans are unaware that their Constitution’s statement protecting freedom of religion is the direct result of political involvement by Colonial Baptists in the South. This is an illustration of the Baptist ability to navigate a healthy tension – in that while Southern Baptists believe that government should not intrude into matters of faith, they also believe that an active faith should cause Christian involvement in government and public life. Southern Baptists maintain that keeping the identities and functions of church and state completely separate is best for both – for when one has controlled the other down through history, corruption has resulted, and Christian work and reputation suffered.”
“Forged by Faith” can be ordered by calling 1-866-722-5433.