Baptist leader seeks unity

Sat., Sept. 29, 2007

Religion News Service The Spokesman-Review

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The new general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance has little patience for theological disputes between moderate and conservative Baptists.

“What’s centrally important is our concern for missions and evangelism, relief and development, human rights and theological reflection,” said the Rev. Neville Callam of Jamaica, who took over the post on Sept. 1.

A few years ago the Baptist World Alliance, which represents about 37 million Baptists in various countries, got caught in the middle of feuding factions, the conservative Southern Baptist Convention and the moderate Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

“We are very grateful to the many churches, including Southern Baptist Convention churches, that continue to support our work,” Callam said during a visit here to Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School as part of an 18-city tour of the U.S. and Canada.

“People on both sides have simplified the beliefs of people on the other side and those caricatures are not helpful,” he said.

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