It was with regret the directors decided to cancel the annual meeting scheduled this month in Mobile, but lack of reservations provoked them to “pull the plug” on it.  One conclusion is that faithful Baptists already have too many meetings to attend.  Another conclusion is that many who might otherwise attend a Mainsteam meeting are not attending this year’s state Baptist convention.  One conclusion that cannot be made is that Mainstream Alabama Baptists is not meeting a need. 

            Each issue of the Mainsteam Alabama Baptists newsletter currently goes out to seven thousand, seven hundred and fifty homes and offices.  And we get plenty of response. 

As you may imagine, much reader response is negative.  When we spotlight areas of Baptist life where some are forsaking our traditional principles, some construe this as an attack on that organization or group.  In reality we seek to highlight where Baptist principles are being ignored or sacrificed.  Much of our reporting focuses on the Southern Baptist Convention.  This is because the “conservative resurgence” has moved the convention away from these principles.  But we aspire to be evenhanded and fair in spotlighting any group of Baptists who veer from the sole authority of the Bible, the priesthood of the believer, the autonomy of the local church and the separation of church and state.  But to those spotlighted, our focus will always seem negative and critical.

More of our response is positive.  Many assure us they read every issue of the newsletter and look forward to receiving it.  Readers regularly encourage us to continue to comment on Baptist life.  Many implore us to please continue mailing the newsletter.  As long as Baptists across Alabama respond, we will continue to do so.

Who are Mainstream Alabama Baptists?  Are we Southern Baptists, Cooperative Baptists, National Baptists, American Baptists, Seventh Day Baptists, Anabaptists, Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Baptists?  We are none of the above.  We are simply Baptists, without any qualifier.  Some of us identify with Southern Baptists, or Cooperative Baptists, or National Baptists, or American Baptists; but we are inclusive of all Baptists.  And we rejoice in efforts of all Baptists to spread the gospel and minister to people all over the world.  As Jesus indicated, anyone who does God’s work in the name of Jesus is “with us” and we are with them

But without question, the stand Baptists have made historically, has blessed our nation and our churches.  We will continue to stand with our Baptist forbears.