FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW AND PONDER ABOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION, AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU AND YOUR LOCAL CHURCH. 

1. BARRIER TO MISSION AND EVANGELISM  

The Proposed amendments prohibits Mission and Evangelism beyond your geographical location as a church of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, even though our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, commands that we should take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. (Matt. 28:18-20) This is our core mandate as believers. 

Meanwhile the Nigerian Baptist Convention has had a foreign mission with missionaries in Sierra Leone and other locations as foreign mission for decades.  

2. EROSION OF THE AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH.  

The Convention, Conferences, and Associations are a product of the cooperation between individual local Baptist Churches, who are autonomous and self-governing.  

The agelong cherished autonomy of the local Baptist Church as part of the distinctiveness of our Baptist heritage shall be taken away by the amendment, which proposes a shift from our congregationalism in which every Church member has a say, to Episcopalism where all become subject to the whims and caprices of the leader. By the proposed definition of Autonomy, the amendment seeks to incorporate wholesale, the provisions of the pamphlet, BELIEFS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES OF THE NBC. This is a recipe for the micromanagement of Local churches from Baptist Building, Ibadan. 

3. UPTURING PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS. 

The Bible define Believers as a Royal priesthood among other unique identities in Christ. (1Peter 2:9) 

And "Priesthood of all Believers" is a strong cardinal point of Baptist doctrinal beliefs. 

Being a Baptist is adherence to those scriptural doctrinal principles espoused by Baptist believers, and being Baptist is not conferred by membership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.  

But the exercise of this treasured value will be denied by proposed amendment to the constitution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention which confines our exercise of this belief to what is dictated by the Leadership, contrary to one of our fundamental Distinctives. 

4. DENIAL OF LEGAL STATUS OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION  

There's a disturbing clause in the proposed amendment which states that No Local Church organ, Association, and Conference shall acquire separate legal status with the Corporate Affairs Commission.  

Where a church was previously registered, this will be submitted. In effect the identity of the local church shall be subsumed under a single legal status and identity.  

This means the Church Board of Trustees (BOT) of the individual Churches remain subdued and the local church becomes subject to a central and single Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. There is an attempt to water this down, by totally subjecting the constitution of the Local Church to that of NBC. This does not solve the problem, as more problems will arise than intended. 

5. CHURCH ASSETS OWNERSHIP TAKE OVER.  

The proposed amendments include the fact that the Nigerian Baptist Convention shall become the Proprietor of Baptist Schools, Colleges, and tertiary institutions. 

This is simply a takeover of ownership of individual church Assets.   

From the identity of the local church getting entirely subsumed in the single Nigerian Baptist Convention legal identity, all local church assets such as the Church buildings,  furniture, musical instruments and pipe organs, Schools including staff as well as Pastors,  Pastorium buildings, vehicles, and all other forms of church assets come under the authority and ownership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention by this legal change of status. And nothing can be done on these properties and personnel without the approval from the Nigerian Baptist Convention. 

6. PASTORAL STAFFING 

As part of the implementation of this central ownership of the individual Churches, and their assets, the Pastor, called by Local churches, becomes a staff of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. 

The church pastor can therefore be posted, sanctioned, suspended or de-robed (sacked) at the whims and caprices of an individual, without the input of the local church which called the pastor and responsible for their renumeration and upkeep.  

7. HEALTHCARE INFRINGEMENT & PERSONAL WELLBEING  

The proposed amendment to the convention prohibits the use of herbal remedies for ailments of members. Otherwise this attracts sanctions for erring members.  

Meanwhile God has given herbs for human consumption (Genesis 1: 29) and modern tablets and medicines basically emanate from herbs. 

People should be at liberty to treat their ailments in such a manner that provides healing consistent with scripture.  

8. DISCIPLINE OF PASTORS, DEACONS, AND MEMBERS OF LOCAL CHURCHES BY THE CONVENTION.  

In the proposed amendment, where the Convention is uncomfortable with the conduct of a Pastor, the Convention is empowered by the proposed amendment to sanction the Pastor without the input of the local church of the Pastor.  

This gives room to possible victimization of an individual based on subjective judgment. Members of Local Churches and the Diaconate can also be disciplined by the convention. This is as good as completely taking over the management of Local churches. 

9. DENIAL OF MEMBERS FREEDOM TO GRIEF AND MOURN LOVED ONES. 

In the proposed amendment, any celebration of your loved one in bereavement beyond a time limit in service shall become punishable by the Nigerian Baptist convention even if it's due to no fault of yours. (Gen 25: 8-11) scripture encourages honoring our loved ones through a celebration of their lives in burial. 

10. PUNISHMENT OF CHURCHES FOR SUBJECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL OPINION. 

The proposed amendment also includes that sanctions can be imposed on a local church when in the opinion of an inspector, the church premises is not neat enough. (Clean or Neat mean different things) 

Each local assembly should be respected enough to be trusted with their environment. Rather than subjective sanctions by an individual inspector who may not like the individual local Church Pastor's face. 

Please look out for further information and update.