In some denominations, it takes issues such as the ordination of practicing homosexuals to cause a split. In the case of the 40,000-member Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC), the catalyst was the doctrine of trine (three-fold) baptism.
At the annual meeting of the FGBC, held in August, dissenters announced that the Conservative Grace Brethren Association (CGBA), in formation since 1989, was breaking away. According to John Whitcomb, president of the CGBA board, 25 congregations have already sided with the new association, and an additional 20 or so are actively exploring the possibility.
A main doctrinal distinctive of Grace Brethren churches, who trace their roots to the early 1700s, has been the practice of trine baptism. In accordance with the doctrine, church membership requires that believers be immersed three times, once for each person of the godhead.
In 1964, however, the FGBC decided to let individual churches set policies regarding acceptance of members. At this year’s meeting, said 1992 FGBC moderator David Plaster, the fellowship reaffirmed the 1964 policy. “Churches must continue to practice only trine baptism,” said Plaster, “but they can receive believers on a basis other than trine immersion baptism.”
Conservative Alarm
The CGBA’s Whitcomb maintains, however, that the FGBC’s policy is too permissive and removes any meaningful basis for cooperation among Grace Brethren churches. He says the policy signifies a drift among Grace Brethren churches away from their conservative theological roots.
A press release issued by CGBA director John Zielasko cites other problems, including “compromises of doctrinal integrity” and “questionable theological trends” at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, the training ground for Grace Brethren pastors and missionaries.
Whitcomb was dismissed from Grace Seminary in 1990 after teaching there for 39 years. He maintains there is “alarm among conservative pastors and laymen” over an “irreversible downward trend of commitment to everything else we believe.” He decries drifts away from hard-line stands on “premillennialism, creationism, and male leadership at home and church as opposed to evangelical feminism.”
Plaster, vice-president of academic affairs at Grace College and Grace Seminary, contends that the seminary’s theological convictions have not wavered. He does acknowledge a change in methodology, a change that preceded Whitcomb’s departure. Said Plaster, “We continue to teach our own convictions, but our students are required to read materials from opposing viewpoints. Dr. Whitcomb objects to that.”
The CGBA made a bid to become a cooperating organization of the FGBC, but it was rejected by voting delegates, who cited the new group’s adversarial nature. Nevertheless, spokesmen from both sides say the split bas been amicable and that kindness has prevailed over sharp words and feelings of anger.
The CGBA is calling on like-minded believers to attend a conference in October for the purpose of forming a new fellowship of Grace Brethren churches.
By Randy Frame.
