The Joint National Baptist Convention, also known as the Joint Black National Convention, or National Baptist Joint Board Session, was initially a joint meeting in 2005 of the four predominantly African American Baptist denominations operating under the derivatives of the name "National Baptist Convention." Its participants—the National Baptist Convention, USA; National Baptist Convention of America; Progressive National Baptist Convention; and National Missionary Baptist Convention of America—represented over 17 million African American Baptists in the United States in 2004.[1] The latter three organizations have either originated from or traced their origin to the National Baptist Convention, USA—or the mother church.[2]
History
editThe four National Baptist bodies met in Nashville, Tennessee from January 24–28, 2005 for worship and celebration, and with the aim of establishing a joint agenda for African American Baptists.[3] At the end of their meeting, they issued a joint statement outlining their shared political positions, including opposition to the Iraq War, school vouchers, and prison privatization and support for increasing the minimum wage and increasing U.S. government foreign aid in the regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.[2]
In 2023, it was announced that the four organizations would again unite as the National Baptist Joint Board Session from January 22–25, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.[4] In January 2024, the four National Baptist bodies held the session with representation from the United States and the Bahamas.[5] During this joint meeting, Dr. Gina Stewart—president of the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention—became the first woman pastor to preach before all the conventions.[6][7][8][9]
References
edit- ^ Staff writer (June 26, 2004). "In Brief". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Zoll, Rachel (January 29, 2005). "Long-divided black Baptists try to unite around common agenda". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "African American Baptist Conventions Hold Historic Joint Meeting Jan. 24-28". National Council of Churches USA. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "Upcoming Events". National Missionary Baptist Convention of America. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ Tucker, Taylor (January 24, 2024). "901 Now: Baptist pastors convene in Memphis". Action News 5. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "National Baptists Prepare for Historic Joint Meeting - The Union Review". The Union Review. December 22, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Gina Stewart: A Voice for Change at the National Baptist Convention". Vinegar Hill Magazine. January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Banks, Adelle M. (January 30, 2024). "Historic sermon by Gina Stewart at joint Black Baptist meeting draws cheers, controversy". Religion News Service. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Stone, Meredith (January 31, 2024). "Why Gina Stewart's sermon matters to Baptists". Baptist News Global. Retrieved January 31, 2024.