SBC Q&A

First Family,

I'm aware that the recent disfellowship of our church from the SBC has sparked a lot of questions and discussions. To shed light on this matter, I've prepared a list of the most common queries and their respective answers. I believe this will assist us in comprehending and processing this significant decision.

• Let's start with the question that's likely on many of your minds: Why did FBCA face disfellowship even though the constitutional amendment didn't pass? This is a complex issue, so let's dive in and explore the details.

Opponents of the Law Amendment made it clear that the 2000 BF&M already provided doctrinal clarity and that the current credentialing process was adequate to address the concern of female pastors within SBC churches. They cited FBCA as an example, arguing that the amendment was unnecessary because the convention was already able to address churches with female pastors. In essence, they argued that the amendment was not needed because it would be redundant. Currently, there are 1,844 female pastors serving in 1,225 SBC churches. Those who oppose female pastors will begin reporting these churches to the credentialing committee for review, such as was our experience.

• What will happen to all the money we send to the SBC?

Now, let's address the financial aspect. The ECC will propose a budget amendment during the July business meeting. Currently, we allocate 4% of our income to the SBC. This 4% will still go towards supporting mission work, but it will be redirected to our other constitutional partners. We will also continue to collect annual mission offerings, but these funds will be used by other mission partners to support our missionaries.

We faithfully gave 4% of our budget and any special offerings to the SBC until June 10th, the day the SBC voted for our disfellowship. Based on the church's decision in August, we would then reallocate the fund accordingly from June 11th and the remainder of the year.

• What is the next step for FBCA with regard to the SBC?

Looking ahead, our Executive Church Council has been diligently reviewing our four constitutional church partners: NorthStar Church Network, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the Baptist World Alliance, and the Southern Baptist Convention. After a year of prayerful consideration, our ECC will present a constitutional amendment during the July QBM, stating which of these four partners FBCA will continue to support. This amendment will likely read “First Baptist Church of Alexandria will partner with NorthStar Church Network, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the Baptist World Alliance.” Once our constitution is amended to exclude the SBC, we will formally end the partnership.

Because this recommendation will come in the form of a constitutional amendment, we will not vote on its adoption until 30 days later. This will occur in a special business meeting on a Sunday morning in August. This vote will be taken via written ballot.

• Who will we partner with next if we are not part of the SBC?

We anticipate that our existing partnerships with NorthStar Church Network, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the Baptist World Alliance will continue. These organizations have been consistent ministry partners for many years and have supported us during difficult times. At the moment, we are not seeking new partnerships and don't require additional denominational partners to maintain our Baptist identity.

• If we are not a Southern Baptist Church, who are we?

We are First Baptist Church of Alexandria, the church that existed before the Southern Baptist Convention. The church that you have come to know and love. Practically speaking, nothing will be impacted. They did not make us Baptist, nor do we require any denominational partner to maintain this identity. Doctrinal distinction of a Baptist church includes the following: Biblical Authority, Autonomy of the Local Church, Priesthood of All Believers, Two Ordinances: Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Individual Soul Liberty, Saved and Baptized Church Membership and Separation of Church and State. All of these distinctions continue to be part of FBCA, making us a historical Baptist church. We will proudly remain the First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

• Would you please clarify our position of female pastors, specifically senior pastors?

There is a false biblical distinction that many have made that it is somehow biblical to have a female associate pastor but not a female senior pastor. The challenge to this conclusion is that it is an artificial distinction of the modern church being imposed upon the biblical text. The biblical text knows no hierarchical distinctions between pastors, either associate or senior. According to the biblical text, an individual is either qualified and called or not at all. To assume that it is biblically acceptable to have a female as one level of pastor but not another level of pastor is to, in fact, add to the teachings of scripture. If we biblically conclude that it is acceptable to have a female pastor in one form, then we conclude that it is appropriate to have female pastors in any form should it be productive for the church.  

There are three things I would like to remind you of as you consider the role of females as pastors in the teaching of the Bible.

• When reading passages such as 1 Timothy 2-3 and 1 Corinthians 14, do not read them in isolation. Please read the entire letter to add the very-much-needed context to what is being addressed. When taken out of context, it is expedient to come to a false conclusion that leads to a universal application that, in my opinion, simply was not intended by God. However, as is the case in many examples, a specific concern is being addressed within the local church. This concern is only illuminated when one reads the entire letter.
• I would encourage you to draw conclusions from a Biblical text that aligns with all of God’s Word. The Bible will never contradict itself, so any conclusions that seem to contradict each other must be resolved to ensure the correct interpretation. We can trust that the Bible will help interpret itself and guide us when we encounter difficult passages. Use the entire Bible to help understand challenging passages.
• Finally, we must consistently apply the same interpretive skills across each book of the bible. For example, 1 Timothy 2:9 states “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” Are we to conclude that women cannot wear jewelry? He clearly states, “not adorning themselves with gold or pearls.” The answer is, of course, no. We know that the intent of Paul was to convey modesty and show people who are set apart from the rest of the community. Paul’s instruction was not an eternal mandate against wearing pearls. If we are going to use this hermeneutical skill in verse 9 to understand Paul’s intent over what is specifically stated, then we must also apply it to verse 12.
• Many are often proud to say, “I read the Bible literally, and what it says is what it means.” I understand the intent behind such a statement, and most often, what we mean is that the authority of the Bible should not be questioned. I completely agree that the authority of the Bible should not be questioned, and I believe that the Bible is inerrant. However, when we study the Bible, we will have to apply a whole host of interpretive skills to ensure appropriate interpretation. Skills that will require us to look deeply at the words in context to fully understand the Lord’s intent.

I would also like to remind you that the constitution of FBCA clearly specifies that the calling of its Senior Pastor is limited to a vote of the congregation. The congregation always has the authority to prayerfully discern who will be the Senior Pastor. This rule of governance has not changed, and the church will always be empowered to approve who is presented to serve.

For a full teaching on the key passages of scripture, follow these links:

https://firstbaptistalexandria.subspla.sh/hgx4qkv
https://firstbaptistalexandria.subspla.sh/v48rm8c
https://firstbaptistalexandria.subspla.sh/xb72jn8
https://firstbaptistalexandria.subspla.sh/6n527kd
https://firstbaptistalexandria.subspla.sh/7q79jkp

• What’s next?

Our Quarterly Business Meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 7th, and it will be held in person at our sanctuary. Some people have asked if we could stream the meeting online to ensure participation. While we are aiming to set up online streaming for those who cannot attend in person, it's important to note that only those present in the sanctuary will be able to vote on any business matters. There will be no online voting available at this time.

I am so grateful for your support and Christlike nature in this season of our church life. Thank you for your support and prayers. I consider it a joy to serve as your Senior Pastor.

Pastor Robert