"Living the Spirit of Christ in Openness and Freedom"

LIVING THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IN OPENNESS AND FREEDOM William E. Hull One of the neglected themes among Baptists today is the official denominational emphasis which launched the 1970s a generation ago. Proposed after years of study by the ‘70 Onward Advisory Planning Committee, this motto was adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 3 1 , 1967. So unfamiliar are we with this forgotten action that a brief review may be in order. The Convention theme for 1970-71 was one segment in the ‘70 Onward Emphasis, the first phase of which was to run from 1969 through 1973 under the general theme, “Living the Spirit of Christ.” The particular emphasis in 1970-71 was that of “Living the Spirit of Christ in Openness and Freedom.” In the recommendation which the Convention adopted, the implications of this qualifying phrase were described as follows: “The emphasis in 1970-71 will reaffirm basic Christian freedom. It will call for face-to-face discussion of Christian doctrine among ourselves and with others. The emphasis will call for an examination of our basic organizational structure and our methods of stressing the right of choice and innovation. The year will be directed toward leading the individual to live the spirit of Christ in all interpersonal relationships. Planning will provide opportunities for communication with other groups concerning our basic Christian convictions” {1967 Annual of the Southern Baptist Convention, 62). Despite the official sanction of this theme, it has received almost no attention within Southern Baptist life. One hears little or no significant discussion which attempts to define our spiritual freedoms. If anything, a greater climate of “openness” among our constituency is in steady decline. Ironically, we may be witnessing a withering of our essential freedoms as the church finds