Approximately 120 persons attended the third annual gathering of the association formerly known as the Pacific Coast, Baptist Association (PCBA). A Place at the Table: Visions of a Healthy Church was theme for the conference held at Shell Ridge Community Church in Walnut Creek on Saturday, May 12th. A majority of those assembled approved a resolution to organize the 'American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Coast' as a region-in-formation.

Twelve GBC members attended the various workshops available to participants at the, conference. Workshops included: A Balanced Biblical View of the Church by Dr. James Chuck; Passionate Spirituality by Rev. Betty Clark; Reclaiming our Baptist Traditions by Dr. Grant Hanson; Choosing Hymns for a New Century by Dr. Nancy Hall, Discovering Grace in San Jose by Pastor Mathews; Ministry with the Marginalized by Rev. David Robinson; Celebrating Women's History by Allison Tanner; Chewing the Fat with Fred, by Dr. Fred Thompson, Associate General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, USA; and No Food Fights at the Table (a dialogue about discussing sexuality in churches) by Dr. D. Mark Wilson and Rev. Clark Flesher.

Dr. Arthur Scott, of Church By the Side of the Road in Berkeley, delivered the morning keynote. Rev. Esther Hargis, pastor of First Baptist Church-Berkeley, was the afternoon speaker.

The vote to affirm the institution of the ABC-PC is the beginning of a process to discern the future life of this association of baptists. The impetus for the formation of such a body is a shared concern for maintaining an eroding fidelity of historic Baptist principles including: the inspiration and authority of Scripture, freedom of religion, soul liberty, the priesthood all believers, separation of church and state, the autonomy of the local congregation, and the governance of the congregation by its members.

There has been a growing sentiment among some ABC churches on the west coast (many associated with the American Baptist Churches of the West) that an appreciation for how our spiritual heritage informs our life together is waning. The ABC-PC is interested in supporting common missions that take these historic principles and loyalty to the American Baptist Churches, USA seriously. This newly formed body still functions as an association with a strong interest in pursuing a "regional" status. An application for such status will not be submitted until a sufficient number of congregations have expressed, by official church action, that they desire membership with the ABC-PC.

A number of organizing activities and educating opportunities will be necessary to facilitate the discerning process for interested churches. There are many questions and issues that congregations will need to explore. The Grace Baptist Church will have to decide what kind of relationship it desires with the American Baptist Churches of the West, our current ABC regional partner.

It is important that our decision be rooted in our sense of what God is calling us to "for just such a time as this." How do our partnerships with any organizations support the mission and call of Grace Baptist Church? While our relationship with ABCW has been described as tenuous, we must not embrace a negative attitude about the ABCW. Rev. Maxwell Vines, association minister for the ABC-PC has admonished churches to:

I have been elected as a member-at-large of the Board for the ABC-PC. My decision to participate in the leadership of this body is not meant to preempt the decision of Grace Baptist Church. I don't know if we should become official members of this organization. However, I am compelled to contribute a needed perspective to the larger discussion about the shared mission of ABC churches on the west coast.

More information of the background of this effort and the issues involved is available in the church office. Additional updates and literature will also be available in the church literature racks. As your pastor, I am always available to respond to questions and concerns we will have as we consider this potential partnership.

Let us keep our American Baptist sister churches in our thoughts and prayers.