L y o n (EBPS) – Two Baptist union in Central Asia have quit both the European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Baptist World Alliance (BWA): The Baptist Union of Kazakhstan with 290 congregations and roughly 11.000 members as well as the Baptist Union of Kyrgyzstan with 140 congregations and church plants numbering 3.100 members. EBF-General Secretary Tony Peck (Prague) reported this at EBF-Council sessions convening in Lyon, France from 26 to 30 September 2006. Theological reasons were given for the move, above all the ordination of women in some European unions, alleged “resistance to the authority of the Bible” and charismatic tendencies. In a resolution, the 120 delegates from 40 Baptist unions stated that the departure fills them “with great sadness”. It also does not accept the reasons given for the step: “Such questions within the EBF need not divide us.” Delegates did self-critically concede that they themselves might through deeds and oversights be co-responsible for the breach of unity: They therefore request forgiveness. EBF’s Executive Council is requested to seek further dialogue with both unions in hopes of facilitating their return “into the EBF-family”.

Peck noted that since inception of the EBF in 1950, tensions have repeatedly threatened its unity. Yet experience has taught that “that, which unites us is more important than that, which divides us. Such unity is a gift of God’s Spirit. It must be nurtured, for it can become brittle.” Despite the exit, Peck reported that a student each from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan continues to study at the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) in Prague. In a visit to Central Asia he discovered that Baptists there expect the EBF to be a kind of “super union”, making decisions on questions of teaching and politics binding for all member bodies. Yet such expectations contradict the EBF’s constitution. As a federation, the EBF respects the independence of national unions and local congregations. Delegates backed this stance by voting unanimously to accept a “message” regarding the basic beliefs of world Baptists which had been introduced at the 100^th anniversary congress of the BWA in Birmingham, England a year ago. IBTS-Rector Keith Jones (Prague) had been strongly involved in the formulation of this message.

Another resolution on the most recent Middle-East war was also accepted unanimously. In it, the delegates “encourage” Baptists and other Christians in Israel, Lebanon and Palestine to “strive for the erection of a society marked by justice, democracy and reconciliation”. They express their concern regarding the “death of many innocent civilians” resulting from violence on both sides. The force utilised by Israel is described as “disproportionate” and a cause for “deep disappointment”.

BWA-President David Coffey (Didcot) encouraged Baptist unions to deal more readily with issues of social justice and cooperate with the multi-confessional Micha-Initiative.

On the session’s periphery, the profile of the successor to the departing BWA-General Secretary Denton Lotz (Falls Church/USA) was debated. It was noted among other things that his successor did not necessarily need to be a “white American”, being that the majority of the world’s Baptists now reside in the Southern hemisphere.

Anna Maffei (Rome), President of the Italian Baptist Union, stressed the importance of using inter-church connections between Baptists throughout Europe to help free women from forced prostitution.

Akos Bukovszky (Budapest), Treasurer of the Hungarian union’s relief agency HBAid, presented plans for installing a Baptist rescue team on each continent. A team should be ready for action 10 hours following the news of a catastrophe, it should be on location within 24 hours. Time matters when saving human lives, but also when demonstrating God’s love through qualified and expert emergency aid.

The General-Secretary of the European Baptist Mission (EBM), Hans Guderian (Elstal near Berlin), noted that his mission is developing into a partnership mission and no longer distinguishes between sending and receiving countries. One visual result of the transition for this mission active in Africa, Latin America and India is a new name: “EBM International Ministries”.

Hotel Jeneralka, which is located on the IBTS campus in Prague, has developed special programmes containing theological education topics for Christian groups visiting the city. Groups are increasingly requesting this service according to Keith Jones, who also serves as the hotel’s director.

The session’s dealings were repeatedly interrupted in order to pray for the concerns of world Christians.