CONGRESS CONTINUITIES
By Ken Manley
Thousands of Baptists around the world are preparing to travel to Hawai‘i in July for the 20th
Baptist World Congress. This next congress will continue a tradition among Baptists that began 105
years ago. Travel is now faster and easier, but the essential attraction of such a congress remains
similar.
As early as 1793, John Rippon in London expressed the hope that “the baptized ministers and
people” from the world would soon gather, “probably in London.” The first congress, however, did not
eventuate until 1905 when more than 3,000 Baptist representatives from 26 countries met, as Rippon
had prophesied, in London. This was a significant moment in global Baptist history and showed a
growing sense of identity and unity. Many were thrilled to hear outstanding Baptists from around the
world: people like English preachers Alexander Maclaren and John Clifford and the Southern Baptist
theologian E.Y. Mullins.
At each subsequent congress thousands have found inspiration, challenge and encouragement.
Stories of perse-cution and hardship have provoked prayer and compassion. Burdens have been
shared, theological issues debated, world problems analyzed, patterns of church life explored, plans
for shared mission formulated. The volumes published after each congress remain a valuable source
for Baptist thinking on crucial issues of that time.
The theme for the second congress, held in Philadelphia, USA, in 1911, was “The Christianization
of the World,” and was attended by around 7,000 people. Leaders like Walter Rauschenbusch and
Shailer Mathews of the USA spoke on the social crises of the day. With the outbreak of war, BWA
activities effectively ended.
Baptist leaders worked hard to restore relationships and eventually the third congress was held in
Stockholm, Sweden, in 1923. Nationalism, communism and moral laxity were among problems faced
at this congress. In 1928 the fourth congress was held in Toronto, Canada, with the theme, “Baptist
Life in the World’s Life,” and some 4,856 delegates from 32 countries were present as well as many
Canadian
PHOTOS:
At the Centenary Congress in Birmingham, England, in 2005, Eric Petrossian reenacted Alexander
Maclaren’s address from the 1905 congress celebration.
Toronto, Canada, 1928: Delegates from 32 countries gathered and Romanians Baptists found
support in their struggle for religious freedom.
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