In a convention family that dates back to well over a century old, within a nation whose forefathers established escaping religious persecution over 300 years ago to worship a Savior who died and rose again to save sinners from eternal death 2 thousand years ago, the California Southern Baptist Convention, and its family of churches and church leaders may appear to have a relatively shorter life span. Yet, no one can argue the Great Commission work has not been substantive. With the introduction of technology at our fingertips and the celebration of hedonism to the application and legislation of others’ moral sins becoming another person’s obligation to embrace regardless of moral or religious conviction, the rapid downward trajectory of goodness and decency in the West is staggering and perhaps for some, disheartening to the point of paralyzing.
Thankfully, deep in the heart of the California Southern Baptists, there has always been a stirring.
The 70s
In the January 29, 1976, edition of the California Southern Baptist (CSB), the title read, “Pastor Establishes Committee on Moral Concerns,” and so was born the first official body set to address moral issues and legislation at the state capital. W. B. Timberlake was the pastor of Camden Avenue Baptist Church in San Jose. As he gave his resignation speech at the pulpit, Timberlake shared his heart that this critical work needed to begin. Up until then, he had been very involved in the California Council on Alcohol Problems (CAP) as the first Southern Baptist in the 80-year-old organization that had 26 different denominations represented on its board. Now, his vision was more robust.
The Committee on Moral Concerns would focus on 4 primary projects:
- The sharing of regular fact sheets and information on moral issues and legislation with those who join the committee,
- The presenting to the legislature and the governor the moral concerns of the committee (lobbying) and the reporting back to the committee their attitudes on laws concerning morals,
- Publicity releases to public media and governmental agencies, telling of the committee’s concerns and activities, and
- The appearance in churches to share information on the new program.
Timberlake’s political interests came honestly and early as he earned his B.A. in government from the University of Oklahoma, where he also practiced law and engaged in political life until World War II when he became a government investigator of communist activity. Later, he earned a Doctorate at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, ultimately pastoring in churches across Oklahoma and California.
His vision for California’s Committee on Moral Concerns was to have “a broader base, including the ‘grassroots’ of members of churches.” The moral concerns of the new committee included issues such as:
- Homosexuality
- Gambling of all kinds
- Pornography
- Violence
- In addition to the control of alcohol and other narcotics
In 1976, when Timberlake packed everything up to move to Sacramento, Mrs. Timberlake, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma as well, in Business Administration, officially took on the role of bookkeeper.
The 80s
In 1983, The Committee on Moral Concerns was officially incorporated, and the California Southern Baptist Convention (then called The Southern Baptist General Convention of California) budgeted $4,600 of Cooperative Program funds to support the ministry.
The 90s
At the 58th annual Convention held at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center in November 1998, Roger Spradlin, convention president, presented a motion during miscellaneous business originally submitted by Wiley Drake asking to allow “the Committee on Moral Concerns to present a five-minute report to the Convention and that Convention direct the Committee on Order of Business (now the Committee on Convention Operations) to schedule a five-minute report at future conventions. A vote was then taken by a “show of ballots” and, per the minutes, the “MOTION CARRIED.”
For the next 22 years, though things were not always simple or easy, as one might expect in the complicated and polarizing world of ethics and politics, the relationship between the California Southern Baptist Convention and the Committee on Moral Concerns generally stayed the course.
The 2000s
In the October 2005 edition of the CSB, a headline announced a new formalized affiliation, “California Family Alliance (CFA) lobbies for Southern Baptists.” With the preservation of marriage and family on everyone’s mind, as well as the ballot, this new alliance would bring California Baptists in partnership with California Family Alliance (now California Family Council) and their affiliate, Focus on the Family. Phil Kell, who was chairman of the CFA board at the time, was quoted saying, “Christ calls us to impact our culture. One way to impact our culture is to impact the seats of government and through this Christian lobbying organization Southern Baptists have a voice in Sacramento.”
It was believed that a pivot toward CFA would prove to be more effective and impactful throughout the broader Christian community, and by that point, Kell, who was Sr. VP at the Baptist Foundation, had served on the Committee on Moral Concerns for 25 years. He was both wholly knowledgeable and committed to the cause.
Today
Today, the relationship between the California Southern Baptist Convention and the California Family Council is flourishing. Thanks, in large part, to those believers who have long stood as stalwart guardians of cherished values rooted in unwavering faith and steadfast commitment, championing timeless and Biblical virtues of family, morality, and ethical responsibility. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Together, we seek to be light in a dark world. We are grateful for our partnership with California Family Council and the work they do in:
Advancing God’s Design for Life, Family, & Liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, & Culture
…here in the greatest state of all.
If you would like to learn more about California Family Council, you can visit their website (https://www.californiafamily.org/) or you can support to their work here (https://www.californiafamily.org/donate/) .
And be sure to follow them on all of their social media accounts to stay on top of all of the latest news coming out of Sacramento affecting your family, your church, and your religious liberty.
