As African-American Baptists gathered in conventions this summer, a question that kept coming up was whether the predominantly white Southern Baptist Convention is attempting to steal their flocks.
It's a concern expected to be addressed this week as the nation's two largest African-American Baptist bodies conduct national conventions in Birmingham, Ala., and in Dallas.
Some African-American Baptists question the sincerity of a highly publicized resolution approved in June by Southern Baptists repenting for the denomination's roots in slavery and apologizing for condoning racism.
And some have wondered in writings and in speeches at various conventions whether the apology will remove a major barrier to more African-American congregations joining the predominantly white group.
In Dallas, up to 15,000 attending the annual convention of the 3.5 million-member National Baptist Convention of America Inc., through Friday are expected to discuss the Southern Baptist racism resolution and what it really means, said the Rev. Willie Range of Dallas, a local spokesman for the convention.
"I think we will accept the apology," Mr. Range said.
But, he added, "I think there is some concern about sheep-stealing. I think they also are concerned about hidden Republican agendas in the Southern Baptist Convention. Many of the white Baptists are archconservatives."
Soon after the Southern Baptist apology, African-American ministers began questioning the action in their pulpits and at denominational meetings. It was a hot topic in June when the Rev. Michael Bell of Fort Worth spoke in San Diego at the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Congress of Christian Education.
"Speaker after speaker condemned the Southern Baptist resolution" with many calling it an effort to barge in on the African-American church community, Mr. Bell said.
The Southern Baptist statement is not on the agenda for discussion but will probably pop up in speeches this week when 25,000 delegates gather in Birmingham at the national convention of the 7.5 million-member National Baptist Convention U.S.A., the largest African-American Baptist denomination, said Mr. Bell, who will attend the Alabama meeting.
"The Baptist resolution may have been meant for good," he said. "But many are interpreting it as a means of seducing black congregations and trying to sucker African-American churches into joining the Southern Baptist Convention."
