Baptist - A Pretty Good Name

Identity theft is a serious problem in America today. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has been assigned the responsibility of helping individuals repair the damage caused by identity theft. American Express has established its own Fraud Protection Center stating that identity theft was the largest consumer complaint lodged in 2004.

We deplore the idea of having our identity stolen. We don't want unsavory characters to go phishing, steal our social security number, bank account number, and credit cards and pretend to be "us" in order to profit at our expense. Such malicious behavior could quite easily ruin our credit and spoil our good name.

A good name is of inestimable worth. Proverbs 22:1 declares: "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold."

In Othello, William Shakespeare wrote: "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed."

Do Southern Baptists in general and Georgia Baptists in particular have a good name? Some may look askance at us with our spots and warts and conclude that we are neither wonderful nor winsome. Joe Westbury, the managing editor of The Christian Index told me this week that he saw a bumper sticker recently with the following words: "Baptists --- America's Own Taliban."

Is that a fair assessment of Baptists in America? Absolutely not! There are Baptists who are just as mean as the devil wants them to be, but Southern Baptists are a people of conviction and compassion. We dare to believe the Bible is divinely inspired and completely true and authoritative. We believe in the exclusivity of the Gospel, but we also believe in a compassionate ministry that reaches out to those in need.

Since our convictions are unwavering and since we live in a society that basically rejects any objective, absolute truth and at the same time recoils at the idea of Biblical morality, it is no wonder that Baptists are looked upon with disdain.

In fact anyone today who believes that Jesus is the only way to heaven is subject to being the brunt of criticism and ridicule in this secular society. Last year in Entertainment Weekly, Joan Rivers, actress, comedienne and entrepreneur was quoted as saying, "I hate Jesus freaks."

Texas columnist Molly Ivins, who seems to enjoy flogging Southern Baptists, recently wrote an article in which she quoted William Brann, who said, "The trouble with ... Baptists is that we do not hold them under water long enough."

However, I beg to disagree with those who want to denigrate Baptists and who try to diminish our denomination with the slings and arrows of careless rhetoric. In fact, Baptists are holding high the standard of righteousness and service to others.

What an encouragement to hear John Johnson, new GBC pastor who serves Rose Lane Baptist Church in Marietta, comment at the new minister's orientation recently, "I see the Georgia Baptist Convention as a servant convention and that is a blessing."

Numerous cards and comments from hurricane victims helped by Georgia Baptists indicate that many view our name with love and gratitude.

Bobby Welch, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has stated, "We need to locate the hurts, the needs, the difficulties, the circumstances (of those around us); we need to interact with those people in a positive way. You earn the right to talk about spiritual needs because you're interested in the person as a human being to start with."

Baptists are working hard to meet needs, heal hurts, lift the spirits of those who are downcast and provide solutions to those with problems. Baptists are winning their way into the hearts of countless multitudes from the tsunami's tidal wave in the East to Katrina and Rita's destructive blast in the West.

To date GBC Disaster Relief Volunteers have prepared and served more than 484,902 meals, cleared debris, removed mud and provided tarps for more than 2,000 homes, provided child care for more than 650 children, and provided shower facilities and logistic communications for the impacted area.

Best of all, many individuals have come to faith in Christ as a result of the witness given by those who have faithfully shared the Gospel. In the eyes of those who really matter it appears that our stock is rising and our name is glowing.