Identifying persons who

exemplify, wherever they work, what it means to be a disciple of Christ, a servant who desires the advancement of the whole community

CALLAM CALLS for Greater Recognition of Outstanding Baptists

Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam said that Baptists appear to be uncomfortable about giving public

do not find room to celebrate

we are a little bit uncomfortable about it.”

extraordinary gifts . . . or if we do,

recognition to the work of extraordinarily gifted persons among us. He believes that because we have no sanctoral cycle, we do not readily find room for the celebration in our corporate worship life of the stewardship of outstanding Christian witness and service. The sanctoral cycle refers to the feast days of the saints commemorated in some Christian traditions. Callam believes it is time that Baptists “do more to identify from among us some persons who stand out as individuals who are secure in their conviction as Baptists and who understand the continuity between that identity and the wider Christian identity.” Callam made these remarks in his presentation to Horace Russell at his residence in Philadelphia in the Untied States, and to Hans Guderian at the Elstal Theological Seminary near Berlin, Germany, of citations to Russell and Guderian that were affirmed

“We

during the BWA Annual Gathering in Izmir, Turkey, in July. The BWA leader said he has requested that the BWA move

forward in identifying persons who “exemplify what it means to be a disciple of Christ, a faithful servant whose work contributes to the advancement of the stewardship of the Christian community in its response to the divine mandate given to the church.” He noted that currently, the only such formal recognition

within the BWA are two human rights awards, one given annually and the other given every five years during the Baptist World Congress. He said the need exists for greater recognition to be given to the work of those who are involved in other vital ministries in the church. The examples he gave include persons who “help form character in our institutions that prepare people for ministry today” and “those who significantly influence new departures in the way the church fulfills its mission.” Callam expressed the need for the BWA

to commit to the “greater celebration of the diversity of gifts manifested by those who, in highly effective ways, commend the faith to others.” He explained that this was the motivation behind the recent initiative at the BWA Annual Gathering to recognize Baptists who have given outstanding service.

It led to BWA approval of Callam’s proposal for the appointment of a BWA Awards Committee that will commence operation after the Baptist World Congress in Durban, South Africa. Those recognized through Callam’s initiative thus far were

Gardner Taylor in 2012, Deotis Roberts and Duke McCall in 2013 and Horace Russell and Hans Guderian in 2014.

Guderian Response Guderian is a former church pastor in Germany, mission

director for the German Baptist union and general secretary of European Baptist Mission. He is a past president of the European Baptist Federation. He served the BWA on the Executive Committee, the Membership Committee, the Baptist World Aid Committee, the Commission on Baptist Worship and Spirituality, the Commission on Doctrine and Christian Unity, the World Evangelism Strategy Workgroup, the Mission and Evangelism Workgroup, and International Mission Secretaries. Guderian mentioned the emphases of his life’s work. “I have

been focused on God’s mission through the church, especially through the local church,” Guderian said. “Deeply in my heart I am still committed to the integration of Eastern and Western Europe and the process of peace and reconciliation.” He stated, however, that whatever he

did or achieved, was not through his power. “I want to give thanks to God,” he emphasized, “the only one who deserves thanks and recognition and praise.” He made reference to Psalm 100, declaring that “It is God

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Left: Astrid and Hans Guderian

Top: Callam presents citation to Horace Russell while Beryl Russell looks on

JANUARY/MARCH 2015 17