Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Do American Baptists Believe?
2. What is the Purpose of the Central Region?
3. What do Central Region American Baptists Think About Scripture?
4. What is the American Baptist Position on Homosexuality?
5. What is the Denominational Leadership's Position on the Controversial Issue of Homosexuality?
6. Will ABC/USA Change its Position on Homosexuality?
7. Does the Central Region Have a Stand on Homosexuality?
8. What is the Process of Clergy Ordination in the Central Region?
9. How are United Mission Dollars Spent?

1. What Do American Baptists Believe?

American Baptists do not ascribe to any creed for a mandatory belief system. However, a description of American Baptists can be made through declarations affirmed by the General Board of the American Baptist Churches USA.

Those descriptions of our basic beliefs can be found in several documents, some of which have official endorsement by the General Board of the American Baptist Churches USA. They include "We Are American Baptists" and "10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists." Recently, the current description was refined through the Seek It process and its resulting vision statement. We can also be described through the eyes and words of the ABC-USA General Secretary, Dr. A. Roy Medley through "Centered in Christ," "A Bridge People" and his 2005 Biennial message.

2. What is the Purpose of the Central Region?

In 2001, the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region discerned, after a year-long study, that we are currently called to "Grow Healthy Churches to Fulfill Christ's Mission." Our initial mission statement was adopted to give direction to working out this vision.

Since 1979 when the Kansas Baptist Convention became the ABC of the Central Region, the purpose as stated in the Rules of Procedure for the Board of Directors has been:

The goal of the ABCCR shall be:
Because of the call of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, we seek:

1. To nurture loving interpersonal relationships;
2. To develop participation in the decisions that affect person's lives; and
3. To choose all areas of human concern as the arena for living, experiencing and sharing the gospel.

3. What do Central Region American Baptists Think About Scripture?

The Central Region has typically agreed with Resolutions and Statements of Concern established by the delegates and policies established by the ABC General Board. While these are not binding on us due to our commitment to local church autonomy and the priesthood of all believers informed by the Holy Spirit, we have generally followed them. American Baptists are not a people with a creed. We can be described, though, and one of the clearest definitions is found in the document "We Are American Baptists." This document begins with a section entitled, "We Are Guided by God's Word" which states in part, "Foremost among beliefs firmly held by American Baptists is the acknowledgment that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and our Lord, and that through belief in Him we are assured of eternal fellowship with a loving God. For us, the foundation of Christian belief — and the greatest event in all history — is the drama of the first Easter week: the death of Christ, in which He took upon Himself all the sins of the world, and the Resurrection, which offers glorious proof of His teaching and His triumph over sin and death. Holy Scripture always has been for us the most authoritative guide to knowing and serving the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer). As the divinely-inspired word of God, the Bible for us reveals our faith and its mandated practice."

Another document, "10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists," states very clearly and up front, "1) American Baptists believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God that serves as the final written authority for living out the Christian faith."

4. What is the American Baptist Position on Homosexuality?

The denomination cannot speak for any local congregation. However, the General Board passed a resolution in 1992 that says, "Homosexuality is not consistent with Christian teaching." This "official position" is binding on the General Board, the national structures and their staffs and is recommended to Regions and churches. It was strengthened in 1993 with a resolution on human sexuality.

American Baptist Resolution Calling for
Dialogue on Human Sexuality

"Since our founding days, we American Baptists have heralded the Bible as central to our lives. Individuals have the right and responsibility to interpret scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit within the community of faith. We have also come together to seek the mind of Christ on contemporary issues, knowing that none of our corporate statements claims to speak for all of us. The time has come for our churches, Regions, National Boards, and the General Board of the American Baptist Churches, USA, to consider prayerfully the mind of Christ regarding human sexuality. Therefore, we call on American Baptists to:

1. Testify that Jesus Christ is the unifying presence in our denomination.
2. Explore the biblical and theological issues of human sexuality.
3. Consider using the resources identified and gathered by the ABC Commission on Resources on Human Sexuality.
4. Acknowledge that there exists a variety of understandings throughout our denomination on issues of human sexuality such as homosexuality and engage in dialogue concerning these issues.
5. Respect and defend the individual integrity of all persons within our denomination and their Christian commitment as we engage the issue of human sexuality.
6. Pray fervently that as we honestly address these concerns we may seek unity and avoid divisiveness as we grow in our common mission for Jesus Christ."

5. What is the Denominational Leadership's Position on the Controversial Issue of Homosexuality?

Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, USA, has sent a letter explaining the denominational policies. Region Executive Ministers are also Associate General Secretaries of ABC/USA and are bound by these same policies. Our Executive Minister, Dr. Fred Ansell, ascribes to these policies and leads the Central Region and its staff with a similar philosophy. Dr. Medley's letter.

6. Will American Baptist Churches/USA Change It's Stand on Homosexuality?

Some churches are asking for stronger language for the denominational resolution. This is being dealt with by the ABC General Board. It has been an ongoing debate for some time. The end is uncertain, as many people seem to feel the current statement is adequate, and it allows us to live within the ambiguities of who we are as a people of God called American Baptists and respect each other. It will certainly be upheld and may even be strengthened.

The ABC already has a multitude of resolutions on family life. They can be researched now online through the website, www.abc-usa.org.

7. Does the Central Region have a Stand on Homosexuality?

Yes. The first Statement of Concern, passed in 1979 by delegates at the Annual Meeting, was entitled, "Ministry with Homosexuals." Again in 1983, the Central Region Board of Directors adopted another resolution on homosexuality. And then in 1992, the Board of Directors adopted the denomination's resolution, "Homosexuality is not consistent with Christian teaching." This was reaffirmed by the Central Region Board Executive Committee action in May, 2004.

In the Central Region we have upheld this resolution with resolve. The Region staff and Executive Minister have abided by this resolution and have not done nor said anything to the contrary.

8. What is the Process for Clergy Ordination in the Central Region?

(Can a homosexual be ordained in the Central Region?)

Ordination over sight in the Central Region is handled by the Region Council on Ministry (RCOM). It has two elected representatives from each area. They nurture candidates through the process.

A local church believes one if its members would be a good pastor or chaplain and votes to recommend this person to be licensed for ordination. The license is in effect for four years and can be renewed once.

The standard ordination includes three years of seminary or equivalent training and a degree. When the candidate is ready an "ordination paper" is prepared which outlines his or her faith statement, beliefs and understanding of ministry. The paper is presented to an Area Ordination Council made up of representatives from RCOM and members of each Area congregation. Council members explore faith and ministry issues with the candidate and vote on his or her fitness for ministry. When approved by the Council, the sponsoring congregation hosts an ordination for the candidate.

Any local congregation can ordain one of its members. By using the RCOM process the ordained minister is entered into the Professional Registry of ABC/USA and is recognized as ordained throughout the denomination.

9. How Are United Mission Dollars Spent?

For details, click on "The United Mission Dollar at Work."