 September 14, 2008, marks the 10th anniversary of Rev. Henry Green at Heritage. In his blog this month, Rev. Green looks back at his early days here and reminds us of foundational principles...
When something feels right...
In September of 1998, we moved to Annapolis with the commitment of making this our home. You made us feel welcome. You opened the doors of your homes and lives to us, and I trust that you feel we have opened our hearts to you. From the first days in the home of Mrs. Rawls (Sally, Rosemary, and Jack's mother) till now, I have felt right at home and always welcome (Yes, I did learn a great deal about Sally, Rosemary, and Jack while living with their mom...especially Sally!). In the past ten years, I have had the honor of baptizing many wonderful people, including my daughter Natalie and my son Patrick. Matthew was baptized in Cocoa, Florida. I cannot tell you the joy it gave me to baptize each one. This congregation stood by our side in the death of my mother, Iris, and embraced my sister, Deborah, as she went to Iraq to serve in the Green Zone. Irene, Matthew, Natalie, Patrick, and I have found the definition of home in Annapolis and at Heritage Baptist Church. It just feels right being here!
Over the years, we have had wonderful staff members who have served this congregation well. It has been my honor to serve with this great group of people. Currently, I am privileged to serve with Ralph Manuel, Everett Golihew, Leigh Ann Gallion, Charles Barnes, Eleanor Sturgis, Ruth Ann Shiplette, Ellen Welker, Betsy Zimmerman, Sally Morehead, Edie Stucker, Clair Morehead, Clyde Morehead, and Janet Dulin. These are all wonderful people with a heart for service. It just feels right working with them!
One of the most difficult privileges a pastor has in ministry to the families of a congregation is to perform the funeral service for members of the church and others related to the families (I have conducted close to 100 funerals since coming to Annapolis in 1998). We have seen many giants of faith join the Lord in the past ten years. The contribution of each person is etched into the collective memory of this great congregation and their deeds of love will follow them as a witness to those of us who follow. It just feels right having known these wonderful people!
When something is right...
Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living out of what we get. We make a life out of what we give." His colleague in helping to defeat fascism in WWII, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke of the four freedoms that define what is right about a society: freedom of speech; freedom of religion; freedom from want; and, freedom from fear. These leaders stood for what was right when it was their time to stand. As a leader, the values I try to live by each day emerge from the life and message of Jesus. My favorite passage of scripture is Micah 6:8- "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God" and Philippians 4:8 (paraphrased into four questions and also known as the 4-Way Test of Rotary International) - Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And, is it beneficial to all concerned? These passages give us ethical parameters for the follower of Jesus and best define ethical structure. We wish for all to find Opportunity - Faith & Hope not Fear & Hindrance; Fairness - Justice with Mercy; Tolerance - Relationships with an eye to Reconciliation; and, Respect - Recognizing the worth and value in everyone! When it is right, we will internalize these values.
Standing for Historic Baptist principles (Free Bible, Free Soul, Free Church, and Religious Freedom) is not easy, especially when many in the Baptist family are attempting to redefine these historic principles by narrow and shallow interpretations of scripture; limiting the freedom of the soul by limiting the call of God for everyone (especially women); limiting the autonomy of the local church by attempting to make us more connectional through "creeds" ;attempting to make denominational affiliation more important than local church commitment; and redefining history to manipulate the writings of the founders suggesting that they had a particular religious preference for everyone to follow thus limiting religious freedom for those who would have other beliefs.
For the past ten years, I have not shied away from serious discussions defending these freedoms and these core values that define our religious identity. That is my responsibility as your pastor. I strive to be loving, kind, and positive in the affirmation of what we do believe. I have tried to say, in so many words, that Historic Baptists believe each individual has the freedom to interpret the scripture under the direction of the Holy Spirit and thoughtful study. Historic Baptists believe each individual is a free moral agent with a free conscience to determine his/her own destiny while listening to the leadership of the Spirit and considering the variety of choices available in life, thus making us responsible for our actions and the stewardship of the world entrusted to us. Historic Baptists believe in the autonomy of the local church in the context of the Free Church tradition. We are not connectional; rather, we are cooperative in our relationships with other Baptists and other Christians. We operate as equals with others in mission and ministry for Kingdom work. Any group that attempts to force uniformity on local churches does not fit the historic definition of Baptist and does not fit with the historic understanding of this local church.
Finally, on this point, Historic Baptists will defend the rights of others who do not believe as we do so that our own rights to believe are not in any way diminished. This means that Religious Freedom and its civil corollary Separation of Church and State are central to our message. This also means we have a deep commitment to ecumenical opportunities that extend beyond the boundaries of the Baptist community. We believe God is at work in many ways and will not be restricted by our self-imposed human affiliations. In other words, we do not have a corner on God! We do have the message of John 3:16 and the belief that in Christ Jesus we find a faith that will sustain, a hope that will endure, and a love that is unconditional. This is what is right!
When we do right...
I am proud of the many meaningful and significant ministries that Heritage Baptist Church is involved with here in Annapolis and around the world. Food distribution, Lighthouse ministry, Mission trips to West Virginia, Habitat for Humanity, CROP Walk for Hunger, Global Missions Ministry through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Baptist World AID through the Baptist World Alliance, support of the DC Baptist Convention, Operation Christmas Child, Heritage Learning Center, and English classes for those who have come to find a productive opportunity in the United States are but a few of the many ways this congregation offers a witness to Christ in Annapolis. From the Tsunami to Katrina, we have responded to many needs in our community and our world. As ambassadors for Christ, we are the presence of Christ as a local church. Through all of this is how we continue to do right for the Kingdom!
Together, we have lived through 9-11-2001 and war and hardship. Together, we have celebrated a centennial and set a positive path for the future through a deep commitment to missions, environmental stewardship (rain gardens), and a commitment to being the presence of Christ in Annapolis. Our new steeple is also a communications tower, symbolic of the very idea we hope it projects by connecting people with the Good News. Together, we have worked hard and tried to do the right things in the right ways. We have not always been perfect, but our efforts were always intended as good.
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity for the past ten years to serve this wonderful congregation of Heritage Baptist Church. What an honor! What a fellowship!
With Love, Henry
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