Chicago Tribune - January 28, 2005
Manya A. Brachear, Tribune staff reporter

The historic gathering was a first for delegates of four black Baptist groups, which in the last century have splintered over internal squabbles. Now speaking with more unity, these African-American churches -- representing 15 million believers--want their core concerns to capture the nation's conscience and attract attention on Capitol Hill, just as conservative evangelical alliances have advanced their agenda in recent decades.

"While African-Americans have expressed certain sentiments that reflect opposition to an expansion of the gay homosexual agenda, there is still much more concern about bread-and-butter issues in terms of the public agenda that they would like to see their churches pursue," said Rev. R. Drew Smith, a Baptist minister who directs the Public Influences of African American Churches project at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

But Rev. Jesse Jackson warned delegates Thursday to watch out for political trickery. Thousands of hands shot into the air when Jackson asked who wanted a higher minimum wage, stable Social Security, affirmative action and an end to the war in Iraq.

No hands went up when he asked how many churches had blessed a same-sex union. "How did that get in the middle of our agenda?" Jackson asked. "That's called a wolf in sheep's clothing. Beware."

Though the assembly of the four denominations has been in the works for several years, pastors called its timing on the heels of a national election "providential."

The denominations represented were the National Baptist Convention, USA, the National Baptist Convention of America, the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.

Many participants in the assembly hope new initiatives will emerge in time to influence the 2008 race for the White House.

"I don't want this week to end with nothing tangible happening," said Rev. Major Lewis Jemison, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

But while daily forums addressed the need for educational reform, HIV/AIDS prevention, economic development and political empowerment, leaders stopped short of offering specific strategies.

Some still disagree on whether resources should be allocated to hire lobbyists or instead directly address needs of the community.

Rev. William Shaw, president of the Nashville-based National Baptist Convention, USA, said the meeting's purpose was simply to establish a common "mind-set and willingness to achieve things together." And that goal was reached, he said.

With 7 million members, the National Baptist Convention, USA is the largest black Baptist organization in the nation, formed from the merger of several regional and state associations in Atlanta in 1895.

Disputes over the years

A dispute over control of the convention's publishing house caused the National Baptist Convention of America to form in 1915. In 1961, a disagreement over presidential term limits and the church's approach to the civil rights movement spawned the Progressive National Baptist Convention. And in 1988, another dispute over a publishing house caused leaders to form the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.

"Everyone had a point," Rev. Charles Adams said. "It was a good cause, and I think we've made our point. . . . If there was ever a time, the time has come. Can you imagine what would happen if we united?"

Rev. Stephen Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention of America and pastor of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side, said he favors hiring lobbyists to make the agenda mainstream.

He also said building bridges could fill the void left by the defunct Congress of National Black Churches, a Washington-based alliance of eight denominations that suspended operations last year.

Smith called the meeting a significant step toward overcoming divisions that have hampered a more collective and effective approach to ministry.

Powerful voice

Just as white conservative evangelicals have set aside differences to rally against abortion and homosexual rights, and for prayer and creationism in schools, black Baptists hope to produce the same results, including record numbers at the polls, financial resources and a consolidated, powerful voice.

But unlike the Moral Majority in 1979, Smith said, the black Baptist coalition emerges from an ecclesiastical need rather than a political grievance.

"We don't have a political agenda, we have a faith agenda," Thurston said. "The Bible says faith without works is dead. We preach about it. Teach about it. It's nothing new."

Still, clergy did not hesitate to criticize the Bush administration from the pulpit.

"After 50 years of struggle, we face a nation and a world where the gains of African-Americans have been eroded by an uncompassionate leadership under the guise of compassionate conservatism," Jemison said. "Money that could be used to alleviate poverty, lift up suffering and make a difference in the lives of others has been used in a war that is immoral and threatens the lives of our boys and girls."

In his address Thursday, Jackson acknowledged the upward journey of the African-American community but also warned of the long road ahead.

"We can be out of slavery, out of segregation, have the right to vote, but still starve to death unless you get to the fourth stage, access to capital, industry and technology," he said. "That's what the four conventions reconnecting is about."

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