ABCUSA Biennial Report
June 24-26
[ for photo album, click here ]
American Baptists gathered for the American Baptist Biennial in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from June 24 to June 26, 2011. The meeting marks a return to Puerto Rico 30 years after the Biennial meetings first took place in San Juan.
"Biennials are always a great family reunion," said Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. "Our brothers and sisters here in Puerto Rico are tremendous in hospitality so we anticipate their welcome! Our time here will be marked by our theme: Celebrate! We will celebrate through opportunities for mission and recreation; for worship and discernment; for learning and networking."
In San Juan, delegates would vote on the revised plan to restructure the denomination nationally. "We listened carefully to the concerns raised two years ago in Pasadena and the General Board revised the proposal accordingly," Medley said. "We believe they have a plan that the delegates will warmly embrace." "Biennial speakers were chosen by the Biennial Program Committee (BPC) for their ability to both inspire and challenge us as we celebrate the tremendous ministries of our churches," Medley remarked. "The BPC, together with the Biennial coordinator, staff advisory group, and our Puerto Rican sisters and brothers, have worked countless hours to ensure that the Biennial meetings in San Juan, Puerto Rico, are a time of great celebration and inspiration for American Baptists visiting from around the world," said Jeff Savage, chair of the BPC. "We pray that all who are attending these meetings will be filled with hope and joy as we involve ourselves in this important time in American Baptist history."
On Friday, June 24, visitors and delegates attending the Biennial meetings came together for worship, focused on the theme: "Celebrate! 2011. "In the Friday evening worship, attendees were invited to Celebrate God's Glory. Rev. Dr. Carolyn Gordon, associate professor of Communication at Fuller Theological Seminary, delivered the message. "What is it really to Celebrate God's Glory?" Gordon asked. "We put God in a box. We think we can celebrate God's glory simply by saying 'Praise the Lord!,' simply by saying 'Halleluja,' simply by doing those things we've been taught to do. But in understanding God's glory, we've got to understand that God is bigger, and wider, and deeper, than anything we can imagine." Special music was provided by the men's glee club of Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA; their music (classical / traditional / African) brought the congregation to its feet with applause.
At the Christian Unity dinner on Friday evening, Rev. George J. Reed, executive director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, received the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award. Yosh Nakagawa was awarded the Sparrowk President's Award by ABCUSA President Frank Christine, Jr., president of American Baptist Churches USA, in the Friday evening service. "These Biennial meetings provide an opportunity for brothers and sisters in the faith, from very diverse backgrounds, to come together as one family in Christ to fellowship with one another in a familial setting," said Christine. "Yes, we will engage in business during this biennial meeting but our most joyful time while we are together will be as we celebrate and rejoice in our common bond as American Baptists. Glory to God!"
The delegates to the American Baptist Biennial meeting voted on and passed the proposed amendments to the bylaws of the American Baptist Churches USA. The announcement of the vote was made at the second discernment session on Sunday, June 26. The bylaws change will be effective January 1, 2012. "The affirmation of the new bylaws amendments by 92% of the delegates is a strong base for moving forward into the new structure," said A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. "The careful listening to the concerns expressed in Pasadena and the hard work to make the necessary revisions to the bylaws as proposed in Pasadena were critical steps in achieving this high level of consensus. We thank God for the collaborative work of the General Board and regional and national colleagues in crafting a document that was so strongly supported."
Rev. Dr. Roberto Dieppa-Baez, executive minister of Las Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico, gave the message at the Biennial worship service on Saturday evening, June 25. The theme of the service was Celebrate God's Power, and Dieppa-Baez highlighted a service held entirely in Spanish and translated for English speaking attendees. "We wanted to do something new for the Saturday evening service at the Biennial this year; something that honored our gracious hosts and captured the richness of our life together," said Jeff Savage, chair of the Biennial Program Committee. "The service, held in Spanish and translated into English, allowed for a vibrant celebration of our diversity of culture and unity in Christ. I hope all who attended embraced the celebration!"
Earlier in the day, Biennial attendees were given an opportunity to visit various pavilions, called "interactive Come-and-Go opportunities for learning, listening, experiencing and exploring." The pavilions focused on the following areas: 1 - ABCUSA (Delegates/Statements of Concern); 2 - Preaching; 3 - Home Missions; 4 - International Ministries; 5 - Using social media in ministry; 6 - Music and Creative Expression; 7 - Global Issues/Mission Summit; 8 - Contemplative Practices; 9 - "Celebrating God's Mission and the Ministry of Latinos in the ABCUSA Family" - in Spanish.
On Sunday, worship opportunities were provided in ABC churches throughout the San Juan region. Carol and I attended the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Caugus (home church of former FBC members, Louis & Margarita Ortiz). The music and preaching which filled the 2-hour service was exciting and inspiring. Once again in Spanish, interpretation was provided through personal earphones. During the afternoon, back at the convention center, business matters were concluded with the election of denominational officers and the adoption of several "Statements of Concern" which focused on issues of immigration, civil discourse, and churches in the 21st century.
The Biennial concluded on Sunday evening with a festive celebration of worship. The theme, Celebrate God's Way, was accentuated through the participation of youth attending the Biennial and the music of The West Virginians. The featured speaker was Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. A gifted soloist and musician, Dr. Waller's message was provocative and challenging. The Biennial ended with ABCUSA General Secretary, Roy Medley, officiating at a Communion Service for the nearly 2200 in attendance. It was an extraordinary time of fellowship, inspiration, and worshipful work.
