For a Canadian Baptist to be able to spend time in Macon, Georgia's 28 degree Celsius warmth in late October is a treasured opportunity in itself. Add to that an incredible library, devoted and highly knowledgeable Baptist historians, new friends and colleagues and a whole week to read, study and pray - well, I felt like the proverbial kid in a candy shop!

 

I had long desired to do some concentrated reading on issues of Baptist identity related to changing practices around receiving new members without the pre-requisite of believer's baptism by immersion. First Baptist Church Halifax is not alone in offering full membership to Christians that come from other denominations and I wanted to read about the experiences of other Baptist churches with similar policies. Not only did Mercer University's Tarver Library provide incredible resources, but Buddy Shurden and Bruce Gourley offered their time and expertise to guide me. I was able to focus my reading to take advantage of the time and resources, and I came away with plenty of material to form the basis for new membership class material I have long wanted to write.

 

As Baptist life continues to evolve in North America it is essential that Canadians and Americans study each other's record of faithfulness. I would highly recommend to my Canadian colleagues that they consider Mercer University's Center for Baptist Studies as very worthwhile place to spend some quality time.

 

I am deeply grateful to Executive Director Dr. Walter Shurden and Associate Director Bruce Gourley for their warm hospitality and friendship and will always remember with gratitude the wonderful opportunity to be the 8th A. H. Newman Scholar of Mercer University.