First: ABCUSA as "Federation"

I endorse this completely. Some of us have argued for a long time that it would be helpful for all of us to understand the ABC “denomination” as a “federation.” Such a federation could be manifest in a number of organizational structures. I believe even our present structure could be viewed as a federation, and we all would benefit from such an understanding. The plan under discussion is not the only possibility of organization from a federation perspective.

The main question for me is not whether or not we will be a “federation” (I don’t believe Baptist associational life can be anything else). The questions we need to be asking are related to the consequences and implications of this. Much of our disease is due to our inconsistency in wanting an organization to do things that we are not willing to give it the ability to do.

“Federation” seriously limits our ability to speak as a group. “Federation” limits what we are able to accomplish together. “Federation” has implications for group identity.

If we don’t understand those limits—those boundaries—we will once again find ourselves frustrated. Those limits impact the full range of who we are, all the way from the Far Left to the Far Right.