Reclaiming and Re-Forming Baptist Identity

Parts 1 and 2 of this book were written in 1992 by Dr. Gene Wilder as part of his D.Min. project. While visiting Dr. Wilder in his office at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee, I asked Gene about his dissertation. After he described the project, I requested to read it. He not only loaned me a copy of his dissertation but gave me "A Convention of Contention--A Layman's Guide to the Southern Baptist Convention Controversy." In this self-published work Gene attempted to parse his doctoral work into a guide more appropriate for Baptist laypersons. After reading his guide, I envisioned using it to tell the story of what happened within the SBC to set the stage for the formation of CBF. Dr. Wilder was delighted to share his work and encouraged the edits needed to make it more congruent with the focus of this book.
The purpose of Dr. Wilder's dissertation project was to examine diverse Baptist roots (Part 1) and provide a guidebook to examine the issues and events that led to the conflict within the SBC (Part 2). While containing Baptist history, this work is not a history book. According to Dr. Wilder, "One cannot truly understand the events of the present without first understanding the past because we can't know what we've lost until we first know what we had." The chief purpose for this writing project was to help members of the church he served at the time be better informed about denominational matters and become better equipped to make decisions about future denominational partnerships.
Part 3 shows how values and convictions that shaped and formed CBF were put into practice in this new movement of God's Spirit. This section contains historical perspective on CBF (1991-2017) and lifts up the words used to describe the Fellowship during the first 25 years. Rightly so, this section highlights the significant leadership of three executive coordinators: Cecil Sherman, Daniel Vestal, and Suzii Paynter. Part 3 concludes with the significant work of the 2012 Task Force, which strategically shifted the direction and structure of CBF.
Part 4 fleshes out the identity work of the 2014-2015 CBF branding campaign. Specifically, we focus on what it means to shape and form faith in the person of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world. In addition, we unpack key concepts flowing out of the branding process that give shape and form to the future of CBF: "forming together" and "partnering to renew God's world." This section is the heart of this book--making a case for forming faith in the context of Christian community and exploring ways to partner with others in renewing God's creation.

"A powerful tool to review Baptist history, understand our present situation as Baptists, and guide us into the future as people of God. Personal, transparent and authentic insights to be shared, understood and embraced as we take next steps in local congregations and among believers in a 21st century world."--Edward Hammett, Author of Reaching People Under 30 While Keeping People Over 60 and Church and Clergy Coach for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

"Here is a compilation of history and formative aspects of the Fellowship. And, here also is a set of spiritual practices to enhance your prayerful support for our faith community. This is a wonderful resource for engaging our past, praying for our present and anticipating a rich future."--Bo Prosser, Coordinator of Organizational Relationships, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Atlanta, GA

"This book is a treasure of information and insights, offering a mix of storytelling, history, and contemporary cultural challenges, while bringing together some of the best thinkers in spiritual formation to offer practical steps in our way forward. I look forward to sharing this book with small groups who want to better understand our Baptist identity and to reshape and deepen the way we understand discipleship, helping us become more aware of the practices that form us together into the people God is calling us to become. If you are like me and need to re-claim and own the faith we have inherited and to be encouraged to set off on a renewed adventure with God, this book is one I highly recommend."--Tommy Bratton, Minister of Christian Formation,
First Baptist Church, Asheville, NC

"Taking readers on a deep dive into the richness of our story as a community of Cooperative Baptists, Terry Maples weaves history with hope. His gifts for seeing the spiritual dimensions in the story of our Fellowship's life together ought not to be missed. He is awake to what matters most in the life of faith. This book is an invitation to us all to do the same: to see and to sense that the Christ who has brought us safe thus far in our first 25 years is the same Christ who is leading us still."--Stephen Cook, Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Memphis, TN

"Terry and Gene have cast a vision for the still-unfolding story of CBF that takes seriously the "formation" part of Forming Together. It is a practical call - complete with some helpful guidance - to move beyond business as usual toward a renewed church culture where the emphasis is on spiritual practices that help followers live in the way of Jesus so that they become agents of healing and transformation for God's world. That's a movement I want to be a part of!" Johnny Sears, Director, The Academy for Spiritual Formation & Emerging Ministries, The Upper Room, Nashville, TN

"Terry Maples and Gene Wilder provide an insightful history of the events, controversies, and divisions that led to the birth of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. More importantly the authors share the stories of freedom-loving Baptists who helped shape our identity. It's an identity shaped by the understanding that "Jesus is Lord" and that he is the lens through which we interpret scripture and interact with one another. CBF is about fellowship, missions, cooperating, community, forming, partnering, conversion, and so much more. This book challenges us to continue the process of conversion and notes the importance of our 'forming together' as we seek to become more like Jesus in all that we do."--David Turner, Pastor, Central Baptist Church, Richmond, VA