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SUMMARY:This Far by Faith in the Alliance of Baptists
DESCRIPTION:\nI graduated from Baylor University in the late 1980s intent on vocational ministry but convinced that there was not a place for me in Baptist life. I enrolled at Emory’s Candler School of Theology without knowing that it housed a Baptist Studies Program\, yet through that program I affirmed that my story did fit in the larger Baptist narrative. Since I first attended a national convocation in the fall of 1989\, the Alliance of Baptists has been the foundation for me to live out my slice of the Baptist story. I confess that I do not hold the Baptist tradition to be the preeminent one and am ecumenical in profession and nature. In fact\, I am drawn to the Alliance precisely because I am ecumenical and unconvinced of the preeminence of any one tradition.\nThere are times when I have been tempted to leave for a faith tradition outside of Baptist life — both for the lure of a seemingly easier path in vocational ministry and out of concern that the term “Baptist” was no longer redeemable. I am glad that I did not make that choice. As a chaplain and pastoral care educator endorsed by the Alliance\, I am constantly reminded of the blend of freedom and support I receive from my broader faith community. My experience is that friends in the Alliance have journeyed with me\, affirmed my understanding of social justice advocacy as ministry (I also earned a law degree at Emory)\, supported my evolution to a place in ministry that fits me better\, and share the ongoing connection I make with social justice and pastoral care.  Such support has not been unquestioning\, but has been relational and empowering. I know many colleagues in ministry who do not receive similar support from their faith communities in their journeys.\nMy investment in the Alliance is much more than the personal sense of blessing that I have received. I trust the congregations and members of the Alliance — not to be perfect\, but rather that ministry and endeavors done in the name of the Alliance will largely reflect my values and concerns. And this sense of freedom and trust motivates me to be accountable to those values and concerns in my expression of ministry. \nKey Alliance communities for our family — spouse Kelly and children\, Erica\, Taryn and Ryan and me  — include Covenant Church in Houston and Oakhurst Baptist Church in Atlanta. These congregations were open and nurturing\, challenging and provocative. We have recently moved to Austin and have made connections with several wonderful Alliance folks here. Though we have yet to identify with a particular congregation\, our sense is that as different as these congregations are from those that we have known and from one another\, the same core elements of nurture and invitation for growth are consistently present.   \n
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