Words from the past: Like all state conventions, the BGAV is autonomous

Membership in the Baptist World Alliance is contingent on member bodies not being an integral part of any other Baptist denomination in their countries. That requirement posed no problem for Virginia in its quest to join the BWA even as it partners with the Southern Baptist Convention.

Southern Baptists have long recognized the independence of state Baptist conventions and at times have expressed that view in the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual, a yearly publication of reports and actions of the SBC. These are excerpts:

1918
The state conventions are sovereign over their own work and agencies, and our polity lends itself to elasticity and variety. But it is, we think, important, whatever plans may be adopted in any state, that the autonomy of this [Southern Baptist] Convention be recognized, not only in its control of its own agencies but in its direct access to its constituencies, being in this respect like state conventions, neither superior nor inferior to them. With independent Baptist bodies, having the same constituencies, there is, we know, the possibility of unfortunate overlapping and confusion.

1923
The relation of the [Southern Baptist] Convention to all other Baptist general bodies is purely advisory. It has no authority over the churches, over District Associations, State Conventions, or other Baptist bodies of any kind, nor has any other Baptist general body any authority over the Convention. ...

In all cases and degrees where the activities of the [Southern Baptist] Convention are related to the activities of other Baptist bodies the controlling principle is free and voluntary cooperation for common ends. Since no Baptist body has authority over any other, there can be no question of dictation on either side. Among Baptists moral and spiritual rights and obligations are mutual. Only confusion can result from a failure to recognize the mutuality of these relations. ... We must never convert moral and spiritual into legal relations among Baptist general bodies.

1928
All Baptist general bodies are voluntary organizations, established by individuals who wish to cooperate for some common end or ends in the kingdom of God. This [Southern Baptist] Convention is not an ecclesiastical body composed of churches, nor a federal body composed of state conventions. ... These associations, unions, or conventions vary greatly in form, in size, in purpose, in territorial extent and in conditions of membership. But they are all similar to churches in the fundamental principle of their organization and life in that each is independent of all others in its own work, free, fraternal, autonomous, or self-determining in its own sphere and activities.

There is no relation of superiority and inferiority among Baptist general bodies. All are equal. All make their appeal directly to individuals and churches. Each determines its own objectives-financial and other wise-and allocates its own funds to the interests promoted by it. Each defines and fixes its own sphere of activities. ...

The cooperation of Baptist general bodies with each other may be desirable from time to time for the sake of greater economy and efficiency. But there are dangers connected with such cooperation due to misunderstanding, confusion of thinking, and sometimes to trespassing upon the rights of cooperating bodies by one or other of the parties to the arrangement.

... This [Southern Baptist] Convention disclaims all authority over any state convention ... .

... The main functions of this [Southern Baptist] Convention and of state bodies remain inviolable. Neither body may impose its will upon the other in any manner or degree at any time.

1983
Baptist general bodies are equal. There is no relation of superiority or inferiority among these bodies. Each defines and sets its own sphere of activities, but with due consideration and regard for the functions and integrity of other Baptist general bodies.

... Appeals for cooperation should never infringe on the rights of churches and other Baptist bodies to be self-determining.

... Both the state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention retain complete control over their affairs with the right to set their own objectives and to determine the amounts of money allocated to their causes.

Research provided by the Virginia Baptist Historical Society