Introducing CBF
Introducing the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Adapted from an article by Larry Hovis, CBF Coordinator in NC
The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Many people, inside and outside the Baptist family, want to learn more about the Fellowship Community and what distinguishes us from other Baptist bodies.
Background
Beginning in 1979, a concerted effort was undertaken to bring about a drastic change in the leadership and direction of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). This effort was accomplished through a well-organized political process that involved electing a convention president who would make appointments that eventually resulted in placing persons on boards of trustees of agencies and institutions who would carry out the desired changes. Control of boards of trustees was accomplished in about twelve years, along with replacing the administrations, and eventually, most employees of the agencies and institutions. Great attention was given to altering the character and culture of the
seminaries and mission-sending agencies. Those who supported these changes labeled this process, “The Conservative Resurgence.” Those who opposed these changes referred to the process as, “The Fundamentalist Takeover.” Regardless of one’s approval or disapproval of the changes, all agreed that by 1991, the SBC had undergone a major transformation. That year, a group gathered in Atlanta representing active Southern Baptists who were displeased with the new direction of the SBC. This group formed a new body that was incorporated under Georgia law as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). The focus of CBF in those early days was to provide a place of fellowship for people who felt disenfranchised from the SBC and a funding channel for missionaries and new theological schools being birthed.
Today, CBF has grown far beyond its humble beginnings. Though many of the churches and individuals who partner together through CBF still have a connection to the SBC, CBF is recognized as a separate body, as evidenced by its admission as a member of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), an organization of over two hundred international Baptist bodies. It is worth noting the SBC subsequently withdrew from the BWA.
Baptist Principles: A Firm Foundation
CBF adherents have always placed a high premium on what are commonly referred to as “historic Baptist principles.” In fact, disagreement over the interpretation of these principles, and how they are applied in local churches and in denominational life, has been at the heart of the controversy in the SBC. CBF’s understanding of basic Christian and Baptist principles is reflected in its official documents and strategic plan.
Our Identity – “We are a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice.”
Our Vision – “Being the presence of Christ in the world.”
Our Mission – “Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.”
Our Core Values
- Baptist Principles:
Soul Freedom – We believe in the priesthood of all believers and the equality of every church member.
Bible Freedom – We believe in the authority of Scripture under the Lordship of Christ without the imposition of creedal statements.
Church Freedom – We believe in the autonomy of every local church and affirm every church’s right to determine its faith, practice and leadership without outside interference.
Religious Freedom – We believe in full religious liberty and the separation of church and state.
- Biblically-based Global Missions Resource Model
- Justice and Reconciliation
- Lifelong Learning and Ministry
- Trustworthiness
- Effectivenes
CBF Ministries
Current CBF ministries fall into four areas or “strategic initiatives”:
- Faith Formation – Assisting congregations with evangelism, outreach and spiritual growth.
- Building Community – Encouraging congregational health, Baptist identity, reconciliation and justice, marriage and family ministries, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and endorsing chaplains and pastoral counselors.
- Leadership Development – In congregations, through theological education (in partnership with seminaries and divinity schools) and in collegiate ministry.
- Global Missions and Ministries – Through partnership missions with local churches, reaching the most neglected peoples of the world and planting new churches. Over one-half of our resources are spent on Global Missions and Ministries.
A Paradigm Shift: From Convention to Partnership
Most lifelong Southern Baptist adults were nurtured in a “convention culture” in which congregations, district associations, state conventions and the national convention were closely connected through money (which flowed from congregations to associations and state conventions to the national convention) and programs (which flowed from the national convention to state conventions and associations to congregations). Theoretically, we exercised autonomy at every level, but in practice, we functioned as an organizational pyramid with congregations forming the base and the national convention at the apex. In contrast, CBF promotes a “partnership paradigm” in which congregations are at the center of Baptist life. Congregations are encouraged to determine their unique, God-given mission then choose partners to assist them in accomplishing that mission. CBF does not demand exclusive loyalty but humbly asks for opportunities to be a significant one of a congregation’s many missional partners.
The CBF Movement: National and State Fellowships
In addition to CBF, with its offices in Atlanta, are autonomous state and regional CBF-related bodies. These bodies work very closely with CBF in a symbiotic relationship. CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal calls this unique relationship between national and state CBF bodies “a seamless movement.”
Tennessee CBF is an autonomous entity with its own funding stream and organizational structure. We seek to be the face of CBF in Tennessee by promoting CBF ministries in our state with our own ministries and mission engagement, our own paid staff, elected leadership, and general assembly. We partner with National CBF to:
- Support global missions field personnel at home and abroad
- Provide faith formation opportunities
- Provide leadership development for laity and clergy
- Provide reference and referral services to help churches seeking staff and ministers seeking placement.
- Provide a Field Coordinator in Tennessee.
Getting Connected
CBF, at both the state and national levels, is not a member organization, but a fellowship of churches and individuals who voluntarily cooperate to do together what we cannot accomplish alone, for the sake of God’s Kingdom. Please attend our assemblies, participate in our ministries, or call on our staff members or volunteer leaders for information or assistance. If you resonate with our mission, vision and values, and desire to share in our ministries, you are welcome in our fellowship! Your financial gifts are most welcome, too, as we partner to enrich God’s Kingdom work in the world. May God bless and guide us as we seek to be the presence of Christ—together.
