The 2026 assembly of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa met from 28 September to 1 October at the Maranatha Retreat and Conference Centre in Roodekrans. Mark represented Benoni Baptist Church, and Andre came through on the Tuesday to represent the pension fund. Below is a digest of the business, motions, and matters that touch our church.
My first observation on day 1 was how few of my theological peers remain. Over the years older reformed faces have dwindled. Death and retirement have taken some. Others have resigned the Union to join associations like Sola 5. And some just drifted. While that saddened me, as a I looked around, there was the presence of a new crop of late-twenties/early-forties reformed and reforming faces. And I found that encouraging.
Much of the value of an assembly doesn’t happen in the main hall or break away sessions, but over tables and in corridors talking and laughing with friends. I had plenty of great conversations about the joys and trials of ministry. About family celebrations and struggles. These conversations were with men I see once in a while, yet I truly enjoyed their company and walked away encouraged. One particular engagement, after observing how electronic voting happened at the assembly, was with Ian Fraser from King of Kings and Jonathan Killian from Grace Baptist Church, and will result in us trying out a digital vote at our next quarterly general meeting.
The financial position of the Union did not seem too bad to me. It’s been a far more concerning picture in the past. Yes, the Union faces an ongoing struggle to meet its monthly commitments. But, the final instalment of the BU operational debt has been paid off. After nearly seven years of repayments. The property in Roodekrans remains a problem. A tenant leaving, security, vandalism, and burglaries, as well as the cost of water and electricity are burdens. Church giving is poor. Only half of the churches paid their membership fees.
Three motions came before the assembly for voting. As mandated by the leadership of Benoni Baptist Church, I voted in favour of all three.
The first motion gave notice of amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws. The resolution passed resoundingly. The details of the amendments will be circulated before the 2027 assembly. And we will pay close attention to the changes regarding structure and leadership in the future.
The third motion concerned the development of a retirement complex on the property in Roodekrans. The matter was debated. The assembly voted by a resounding majority in favour of proceeding. I do have a concern regarding the Union’s ability to administer this into the future. But our vote in favour recognised that something needs to be done about the property, and to date no better solution has emerged.
The second motion mattered most to Benoni Baptist Church. The National Leadership Council brought this proposal on behalf of Kimberley Baptist Church and their pastor, Bronson Pretorius spoke to it. The proposal brings the 1924 Statement of Belief in to parity with the 2017 Statement of Belief (which we as a church have adopted). Why? Because Baptists hold a high view of Scripture. The proposed restatement reads (I’ve highlighted words of importance):
We believe that the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments in their original writings, are the fully inspired Word of God, given by the Holy Spirit through human authors.
We believe the Holy Scriptures are the complete and final written revelation of God, which bears divine witness to Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God.
We believe the Holy Scriptures are wholly true, trustworthy, and without error in all that they affirm, possessing inherent divine authority and are being faithfully preserved by God’s Spirit.
We believe the Holy Scriptures alone are the sufficient, supreme, and final authority for all matters of faith and life, revealing all that is necessary for salvation, godly living, and maturity in Christ.
There was considerable debate, mainly around the desire to amend the motion with section 1 of the 2017. I spoke in favour of the amendment. Not one person spoke against the motion (or the amendment). In the end, the amendment was laid aside, and the original motion was adopted with a 97% vote of approval. This is a great victory for unity upon shared conviction for the Union of churches.
Lots happened that I can’t touch on in detail. The food was good. The worship was less traditional Baptist and more big-tent evangelical. I didn’t know any of the songs, but my foot tapped. I thought Duncan Bell from Centurion Baptist Church did a good job as MC. Colin Diesel remains consistently steadfast in his role as National Administrator. The business was necessary, if uninspiring, and it ploughed on. I particularly enjoyed Clinton Stone’s, from Honeyridge Baptist Church, sermon on reaching our suburbs from Jeremiah 29. And Daryl Soal’s, the principal of Baptist Theological College, breakaway session on AI in ministry was excellent. There were lots, and lots, of reports. The Board of Governors, Trust Funds, missions, regions, women, men, Bible Challenge. And many breakaway sessions, like the theological forum and various Alumni gatherings.
Next year’s assembly will be held in Gqeberha (my home town), from 23-27 September 2027. It will be the 150th Celebration of the Union of churches. Greg Matthei, the National Ministry Leader, urged us to block out our calendars and make every effort to be there.
In closing, Benoni Baptist Church is a conservative, evangelical Baptist church. We are a member church in good standing with the Union of churches. We will continue to pray for the Union of churches. We will continue to give towards the work of the Union of churches. And we will continue to hold fast to the Word of God together with the churches of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa.
