Carter, Clinton Baptist Plan Not a Political Move, Says Organizer

While many conservative Baptists see politics behind the New Baptist Voice plan aimed at creating a positive image of the denominational group, one advocate of the plan said it is not a covert politic

While many conservative Baptists see politics behind the New Baptist Voice plan aimed at creating a positive image of the denominational group, one advocate of the plan said it is not a covert political move.

The major stars behind the effort to improve the "negative" image the public has of Baptists and to unite Baptists in North America are former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. And the convocation launching the "Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant" is scheduled for the beginning of 2008, the year of the presidential election.

"This has not been something Bill Clinton has organized or worked towards or even been involved in," said Bill Underwood, president of Mercer University and co-organizer of the Baptist plan with Carter, according to the Associated Baptist Press.

The overall endeavor, Underwood explained, is the brainchild of Carter; and Carter had invited Clinton to lend his "star power" to the pan-Baptist effort.

It is not a secretly a plan to get Baptists to elect Hillary Clinton as president, Underwood clarified.

The announcement of the Baptist plan stressing unity and compassion was made earlier this month at The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter and Clinton along with about 80 other Baptist leaders claiming to represent 20 million Baptists in the continent set a tentative date of the new covenant for Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Around 20,000 Baptists are anticipated to attend.

Although a "historic" event for Baptists, as Carter called it, Southern Baptists were not formally invited and critical of the intent.

Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptists' public policy arm, said the organizers of the 2008 gathering have to work hard to ensure the event is not viewed as "overtly political."

The timing of the gathering is suspect, several Southern Baptists have said.

Underwood explained that the North American Baptist Fellowship, where most of the plan's involved Baptists are housed, is composed of Baptist bodies that belong to the Baptist World Alliance, according to ABP. They include conservative, moderate, predominantly black, predominantly white, American and Canadian Baptists.

Some Southern Baptists were also present at the meeting where the covenant was announced. Although not formally invited, Southern Baptists and those who are Republican are still welcome to join the effort, Carter had insisted. A formal invitation had not been extended to the Southern Baptist Convention because the large denomination had withdrawn from the NABF and the Alliance.

Carter said he hopes to shift the emphasis from the divisive issues among Baptists to the "common commitments that bind us together," according to The Washington Post.

And Clinton's involvement, Underwood explained, provides a bigger platform for the large effort.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.