Jack Causey
(EDITOR'S NOTE-The Biblical Recorder asked the two candidates for president of the Baptist State Convention to respond to eight questions about issues facing N.C. Baptists. The following are the responses of Jack Causey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Statesville.)
QUESTION: What would you offer to N.C. Baptists as president of the Baptist State Convention?
ANSWER: As we elect a new executive director, establish a vision for the next century and strive to unite for our mission, the Baptist State Convention needs an experienced, trusted and visionary leader as president.
My experience with our state convention would enable me to help our executive director to understand our resources and challenges. My service as president of the General Board has proven that I can be trusted to provide fair leadership that is inclusive of all N.C. Baptists. I would hope to use the same visionary skills for the Convention that I have used as a pastor.
QUESTION: To which of the two identifiable groups -- conservatives or moderates -- do you more closely relate?
ANSWER: While I consider myself a conservative theologically, I relate most closely to the group known as "moderates." Though not always, I find that I most often agree with historic Baptist traditions and principles as expressed through the moderate movement.
One of those principles is inclusiveness and openness to those who may not always believe as I do. For this reason, my record as president of the General Board will indicate that my appointments sought to be fair and inclusive of different groups.
 The 167th session
(Sept. 27)  Mac Brunson
Jack Causey
Interviews with the candidates for second vice president:
The convention's program (Oct. 21)
Candidates for president field tough questions from conservatives (Oct. 25) |
ANSWER: The goal of the "Committee of 20" was to build relationships and open paths to understanding, not to settle issues. As diverse as Baptists have always been, we will always have our differences.
Likewise, the goal of N.C. Baptists should be to strive to work together in harmony, to accomplish those things that God leads us to do and to deal with our differences with integrity, grace and in the spirit of Christ. This is a commendable, though difficult, goal toward which the "Committee of 20" began to move us significantly.
QUESTION: If you lose the election for president, will you support your opponent?
ANSWER: During our meetings with the "Committee of 20," Mac Brunson and I developed a friendship and mutual respect. Now that we have both been presented as nominees for the presidency of our Convention, that friendship and respect have continued. I expect it to remain no matter which of us is elected.
Should Mac be elected, I will support him, as I am confident he will me. Yet, neither of us should be expected to support the other in positions or policies with which we might disagree. However, both of us will continue to be reasonably, supportive of the other.
QUESTION: Would and your church ordain a woman to become the pastor of a church? Yes or no? Why or why not?
ANSWER: As a local church matter, my church has ordained a woman to the ministry since I have become its pastor. I believe the congregation would ordain another woman should it feel that she has been called and gifted by God.
Throughout history God has used women to enrich His kingdom and to promote His will in the world. Women like Deborah and Dorcas immediately come to mind. And since in God¼s eyes men and women are equal recipients of His grace and mercy, both should be able to live out the call they feel God has given to them.
QUESTION: Does the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship have a place/role within Southern Baptist life? Why or why not?
ANSWER: The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship does have a place in Southern Baptist life as it offers another avenue for Baptists to live out their call to missions. The Southern Baptist Convention and the CBF should not see themselves as competitors, but rather as Baptists expressing a part of God¼s call to missions in different arenas.
The First Baptist Church of Statesville divides its undesignated mission gifts between the SBC and the CBF through the Baptist State Convention. Our volunteer mission teams have served under both groups. It is authentically Baptist to allow our church and others to do this.
QUESTION: What are the qualifications for individual Baptists to serve on the boards of the agencies, institutions and General Board of the Baptist State Convention?
ANSWER: In addition to the qualifications prescribed in our Constitution, I believe the qualifications for Baptists to serve on the boards of the agencies, institutions and General Board of the Baptist State Convention should be an active involvement in their local church, strong support of our Baptist State Convention and a firm belief in our historic Baptist principles. In addition, they should have a commitment to follow the leadership of our Lord, a spirit of inclusiveness and a willingness to serve.
QUESTION: What are the challenges/opportunities for N.C. Baptists in the 21st century?
ANSWER: As the population of North Carolina grows and becomes more diverse, there is a challenge and opportunity for a greater emphasis on beginning new churches and reaching people, including our growing number of internationals, for Christ. Other challenges include providing social ministries for those in crisis and developing more mature disciples.
All this will call for the Baptist State Convention to offer more support to local churches and to provide opportunities, such as volunteer missions, for them to live out their mission. The Convention will need to adapt its programs to meet these changing times with the changeless gospel.
Jack Causey
