ENI – Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are backing a new grouping of Baptists in a centrist organization that will tackle broader social issues and counter a perceived image of the Southern Baptist Convention as an exclusionary church. At the same time the new grouping has invited the Southern Baptists to its foundation convention a year from now.
“This is a historic event for the Baptists in this country and perhaps for Christianity,” Carter said in January. The organization, which includes about 40 Baptist groups, plans to hold its first convocation next January. Carter left the Southern Baptists in 2000 after the denomination came under the control of leaders considered politically conservative.
“Our goal is to have a major demonstration of harmony and a common commitment to personifying and to accomplish the goals that Jesus Christ expressed,” Carter said.
Organizers say the 2008 event could draw more than 20,000 Baptists. Among the groups supporting the effort are several historically black Baptist denominations.
