The National Baptist Convention, USA, incorporated as the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and more commonly known as the National Baptist Convention (NBC USA or NBC), is a BaptistChristian denomination headquartered at the Baptist World Center in Nashville, Tennessee and affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. It is also the one of the largest predominantly and traditionally African American churches in the United States, and was the second largest Baptist denomination in the world in 2016.[1]
The first attempts at wider Black Baptist cooperative efforts began with Ohio and Illinois. In 1834, Black Baptists in Ohio formed the Providence Baptist Association. In 1838, Black Baptists in Illinois formed the Wood River Baptist Association.[5]
In 1840, Black Baptists developed a cooperative movement beyond state lines. Baptists in New York and the Middle Atlantic states formed the American Baptist Missionary Convention. During the American Civil War in 1864, Black Baptists of the West and South organized the Northwestern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.[5]
Following the war in 1866, these two conventions met with the American Baptist Convention and formed the Consolidated American Baptist Convention. The new Consolidated American Baptist Convention began with supporting Black Baptists in the South in the remains of the Confederacy.[5]
After emancipation and with support from the Consolidated Convention, Black Baptists formed their own state conventions, originally including Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky.[6] Despite this work, regionalism continued among Black Baptists. In 1873, the Black Baptists of the West formed the General Association of the Western States and Territories, and in 1874 the East organized the New England Baptist Missionary Convention. This continued regionalism and other factors caused the decline and eventual demise of the Consolidated American Baptist Convention.[5]
According to historian Wilson Fallin Jr., black preachers interpreted the American Civil War as:
God's gift of freedom. They appreciated opportunities to exercise their independence, to worship in their own way, to affirm their worth and dignity, and to proclaim the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Most of all, they could form their own churches, associations, and conventions. These institutions offered self-help and racial uplift, and provided places where the gospel of liberation could be proclaimed. As a result, black preachers continued to insist that God would protect and help him; God would be their rock in a stormy land.[7]
Convention founding
In 1880, about 150 Baptist pastors met in Montgomery, Alabama, forming the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention and electing William H. McAlpine as their president. This formation was somewhat a result of the demise of the Consolidated American Baptist Convention, as this death created a vacuum in mission work. In response to this void, William W. Colley of Virginia, who had served as a missionary to Nigeria under the Southern Baptist Convention during the 1870s, called for Black Baptists to meet in Montgomery, Alabama to organize a national convention for extensive foreign missionary work.[8]
In 1886, William J. Simmons of Kentucky led the formation of the American National Baptist Convention.[9] In 1893 W. Bishop Johnson of Washington, D.C. led the formation of the National Baptist Education Convention, creating two more conventions. On September 24, 1895 at the Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, these three conventions fused into the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America,[10] with the three former conventions serving as the three boards of the convention: foreign missions, home missions, and education.
The second major split came in 1915 over the ownership and operation of the National Baptist Publishing Board. The National Baptist Publishing Board was the most successful agency, led by R. H. Boyd. Leaders and pastors of the convention became suspicious of the actions of the board when they did not receive the reports they thought were due them, and a debate ensued.[15]
Those who supported Boyd's view that the board was independent of the convention formed the National Baptist Convention of America. It became known as the Unincorporated Convention (now the National Baptist Convention of America, International). Because of the question of incorporation, leaders who remained in the original convention led a movement to incorporate their organization. The constitution was amended in 1916 and the convention was later incorporated, taking the name of National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
During the Joseph Jackson administration, a third split occurred over tenure and lack of support for the civil rights movement.[16] The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, known for increased public activism, demonstrations, and protests was highly controversial in many Baptist churches, as ministers often preached spiritual salvation as opposed to political activism.
Jackson had supported the Montgomery bus boycott of 1956, but by 1960 told members they should not become involved in civil rights activism. Jackson was a close ally of Chicago's Mayor Richard J. Daley and Chicago Democrats. He opposed the public activism of Martin Luther King Jr. and his aide, the young Jesse Jackson Sr., (no relation to Joseph Jackson). Gardner C. Taylor of New York challenged Jackson for the presidency and lost.[17]
In 1992, Paul S. Morton of New Orleans, Louisiana formed a fellowship within the convention named the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, exploring spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, exclamatory worship, etc. Its leadership later separated completely from the National Baptist Convention, USA after discrimination from the NBC's leadership,[21][22][23] becoming one of the largest Full Gospel movements and one of the fastest growing new Baptist denominations in the United States.
In 2005, the National Baptist Convention of America, Progressive National Baptists, and National Missionary Baptists created the Joint National Baptist Convention with NBC USA, establishing a joint agenda for African American Baptists.[24][25] By 2023, the conventions announced another joint session, held in January 2024.[26][27] During this session, the four conventions were joined by President Dr. Gina Stewart of the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, who became the first woman pastor to preach during the Joint National Baptist Convention.[28][29][30]
Racial reconciliation
From 2015 to 2016, President Jerry Young collaborated with the Southern Baptist Convention on racial reconciliation.[31][32] Meeting with President Ronnie Floyd of the SBC, 10 pastors from each convention were assembled to discuss race relations; in 2016, Young revealed several difficulties surrounding racial reconciliation to The New York Times,[32] stating:
“I’ve never said this to Dr. Floyd, but I’ve had fellows in my own denomination who called me and said: ‘What are you doing? I mean, are you not aware of the history?'” “And I say, obviously I’m aware. They bring up the issue about slavery and that becomes a reason, they say, that we ought not to be involved with the Southern Baptists. Where from my vantage point, that’s reverse racism.” “I do understand the history, and I understand the pain of the past...But what I’m also quite clear about is, if the Gospel does anything at all, the Gospel demands that we not only preach but practice reconciliation.”
Floyd, describing 2015 as a "historic year of progress in racial healing," with the SBC and NBC collaborations,[32] succeeds the election of Fred Luter Jr. as the Southern Baptist Convention's first African American president, alongside the adoption of an informal name, "Great Commission Baptists" which gained significant adoption by 2020.[33][34][35]
Statistics
According to a census published by the Baptist World Alliance in 2023, it self-reported a total of 21,145 churches and 8,415,100 members,[36] an increase since 2010's 10,358 churches and 5,197,512 members, according to a separate study by the Association of Religion Data Archives.[37] In another study by the World Council of Churches, the NBC had an estimated international membership of 7,500,000.[38] According to the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020, its membership was 1,567,741 in 2,530 U.S. churches.[39]
Overall, the National Baptist Convention continues to remain one of the largest historically and predominantly African American or Black Christian denominations in the United States; separated bodies, such as the theologically conservative-to-moderate National Baptist Convention of America, have stagnated in membership (2000's 3,500,000 members across roughly 8,000 churches to 2022's 3,500,000 members across 4,000 churches)[40][41] and the theologically moderate-to-liberal Progressive National Baptist Convention (2009's 1,010,000 members in 1,500 churches to 2022's 1,500,000 members in 1,362 churches)[42][43] has increased according to the Baptist World Alliance. In contrast, ARDA's 2020 study documented the National Missionary Baptists as the largest predominantly Black Baptist denomination in the United States, with the NBC USA second.[39]
In 2014, the Pew Research Center estimated 23% of its membership were 65 and older; 36% aged 50–64; 30% aged 30–49; and 11% aged 18–29. In 2007, 14% of the National Baptist Convention's membership were aged 18–29; 35% aged 30–49; 29% aged 50–64; and 21% aged 65 and older.[44] The largest generational group as of 2014 was the Baby boomers (43%); boomers were followed by Generation X (28%). The Silent Generation was the third largest (14%) and Millennials were fourth (13%). From 2007 to 2014, membership of Millennials and Generation X increased, replacing the Silent Generation (at 20% in 2007). Altogether, individuals aged from 18 to 49 made up 41% of the convention, while 59% were aged 50 and up in 2014. An estimated 61% of the National Baptist Convention was made up of women, and 39% men at the 2014 study. Ethnically, the convention remained predominantly African American (99%), with Hispanics and Latino Americans being the second largest group (1%). Less than 1% were White, and less than 1% each were Asian or of another race or ethnicity.
Theologically, 90% of the convention's membership believed in God with "absolute certainty," and 8% believed "fairly certainly."[44] About 91% of the convention believed religion was "very important" and 8% considered it "somewhat important." At least 60% of National Baptists attended church weekly and 82% prayed at least daily; 54% of National Baptists attended bible study and Sunday schools weekly, and 23% seldom or never did so. The majority of its members read Scripture either weekly or once a week, and 64% believed all of the Bible should be taken literally. Of its Bible-reading population, 21% believed not all of the Bible should be taken literally, and 7% believed it was not the Word of God.[44]
Organization
Headquarters of the convention in Nashville.
The National Baptist Convention is a convention governed similar to a presbytery yet allows its member churches to govern themselves under the congregationalist polity. The convention's churches—per its statement of faith—are led by pastors or bishops, and deacons.[45] Within the Baptist tradition according to the 1689 Baptist Confession, the terms "pastor", "elder" and "bishop" constitute a single office.[46]
Presidency
Pastor Elias Camp Morris, one of the founders of the National Baptist Convention
E. C. Morris was elected president of the National Baptist Convention USA in 1895 and served for 27 years.[a] His tenure was important for laying the foundation of the convention. In addition to managing growth and organization of new chapters, his presidency founded the National Baptist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennessee; blacks wanted to publish literature written by their own ministers.[47]
In 1890, the American Baptist Publication Society had refused to publish writings of Black ministers because of resistance from their White Southern clients. This event, more than any other, inspired Blacks to develop their own convention and publishing arm. One year after the formation of the convention, the National Baptist Publication Board was established under the leadership of Richard Boyd in Nashville, Tennessee. It was given the right to supply National Baptist churches with general ministry and Sunday school supplies. In a short time the publishing house became the largest Black publishing enterprise in the world.
In 1902, the Woman's State Convention of Tennessee elected African American Virginia E. Walker Broughton, to serve as the first woman National Corresponding Secretary for the National Baptist Convention.[48] The twenty-seven years of Morris' leadership represented the formative period for the convention.
Upon the death of E. C. Morris, L. K. Williams became president of the convention in 1924. During his 16 years' tenure, he expanded the publishing board to gain increased support. Williams appointed L. G. Jordan as General Secretary of the Board and laid plans for a new building. The building was opened for inspection in 1925. On the recommendation of Williams, it was named the Morris Building in honor of the legacy of E. C. Morris. The Layman's Department was also established.[47]
David V. Jemison succeeded Williams as president of the convention in 1940. His two major accomplishments during his 13 years were paying off the mortgage on the Morris Memorial Building and the purchase of the Bath House for African American use in the resort of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
In 1953, Joseph H. Jackson of Chicago became the NBC USA president, serving until 1982. His 29-year tenure was the longest of any president, and spanned some of the most active years of the civil rights movement. During these years, African Americans gained passage of federal laws protecting and enforcing their rights to public access and voting, especially in the South. Among President Jackson's many contributions were new commissions and restructuring of the convention. He also purchased the National Baptist Freedom Farm and set up an unrestricted scholarship at Roosevelt University. He was noted for low tolerance of dissent. He said that social protests were not enough, but people needed to prove their economic productivity as well.[49]
In 1983, T. J. Jemison became president of the convention, serving for 12 years. He completed construction of the Baptist World Center, a headquarters for the convention in Nashville, Tennessee. He spoke out on public issues more than some presidents, and expressed his opposition to the Gulf War. In a controversial statement, he spoke in favor of the noted African American boxer Mike Tyson, who had been convicted of rape.[50] The uproar caused by Jemison's remarks translated into a deep decline of membership and associated churches in the convention in 1992.[51] Later presidents built up the national convention again.
Henry Lyons of Florida was elected president in 1994. The Lyons tenure was characterized by much activity as he established a unified program, reduced the debt on the Baptist World Center, and dissolved the debt on the Sunday School Publishing Board. In addition, many commissions were added to the convention. Legal problems, however, forced Lyons to resign from the presidency after he was convicted of stealing approximately $4 million on homes, jewelry, and a mistress.[52] Lyons unsuccessfully ran again for president in 2009 with National Congress President, R.B. Holmes of Tallahassee, Florida, as his vice-president.
Stewart Cleveland Cureton, vice president-at-large, took over the leadership of the convention in 1999 and served the remainder of Lyons' tenure. In 1999, William J. Shaw of Philadelphia was elected as president, serving until 2009. His presidency was centered on the motto and theme 'V.I.S.A': "Vision, Integrity, Structure and Accountability." He worked hard to reestablish integrity and credibility in the convention.
Julius R. Scruggs of Huntsville, Alabama was elected president in 2009 and served one 5-year term. He did not seek re-election. In September 2014, Jerry Young of Mississippi was elected president, with some of its members expecting progressive teaching and administration.[47] During Young's presidency—in 2022—U.S. Vice PresidentKamala Harris spoke during the 142nd Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention in Houston, Texas stating, "faith requires action" as she called on African American faith leaders to continue fighting for inalienable rights toward all, remarking the following as Baptists have historically advocated for the separation of church and state:[53]
"A constitutional right that hadn't been recognized was taken away from the women of America, and people of America, and on this issue I feel very strongly...one does not have to abandon their faith or their religious beliefs to agree that a woman should be able to make that decision about her own body, and her government should not be making that decision for her...this is this is not about partisanship. It's not about who you voted for in the last election, or who you plan to vote for in the next election. In terms of political ideology, it's just a very practical principle, which is women should have the power to make decisions about their own bodies. It's that basic."[54]
She also publicly commended her Baptist pastor who has been a member of the convention while also dually affiliating with the American Baptist Churches USA (previously known as the Northern Baptist Convention).[55][56] Her presence stirred controversy among several white evangelical Protestants and Southern Baptists, deriding Black Baptists.[57]
The National Baptist Convention's members form voluntary state and territory-wide local conventions. The state conventions are autonomous organizations and separately incorporated; some conventions are dually aligned with other Baptist conventional denominations.[58]
Congress of Christian Education
The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education is the training arm of the convention; it is an annual event, held in June that draws more than 50,000 attendees from around the United States and the world.[59]
Sunday School Publishing Board
The Sunday School Publishing Board is the official publisher of the convention and provides all of the educational resources of the convention.[60][61] The board was founded in 1915 following disputes between R. H. Boyd and the convention, and is one of the largest African American owned publishing companies. The Sunday School Publishing Board supplies books, text books, curriculum and other resources.
Laymen and Women's ministries
The National Baptist Laymen's Movement is the men's ministry within the convention. It was organized at the 43rd Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention in Los Angeles, California, in 1923.[62] Also, notably led by Sarah Willie Layton and Nannie Helen Burroughs,[63] the National Baptist Women's Auxiliary is the women's organizational arm of the convention.[64]
Dual alignment
Known to occur though infrequently, a state convention, district association or member church of the National Baptist Convention may dually align with another organization. The autonomous make-up of the NBC USA gives local congregations the latitude to govern themselves and contribute to the causes of other religious bodies as it deems necessary.[58] Some members dually align with the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention which offers the NBC USA member a convention-wide focus on foreign missions; others may align with the National Baptist Convention of America, Progressive National Baptists, or Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship—organizations which formed in schism from the NBC USA; there are also dually aligned affiliates with the American Baptist Churches USA such as Abyssinian Baptist Church.
The convention does not make official positions binding on its member congregations, state conventions, and institutions. In 1965, Trudy Trimm became the first ordained woman pastor in the convention.[65] There are many women ordained and/or licensed and serving in the convention affiliated congregations. A number of women serve as pastors of congregations, and as trustees to the boards of American Baptist College.[66] Some congregations do not ordain or license women as ministers. Some congregations have women deacons, others as deaconess, some have both.
Two Baptist National Baptist women pastors have been elected as presidents of state conventions. Patricia A. Gould-Champ, senior pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia and Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University was elected as the 35th and first female president of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia in 2003.[67] Marylin Monroe Harris, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Teaneck in Teaneck, NJ, became president for the United Missionary Baptist Convention State of New Jersey, the 2nd Vice Moderator of the North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association, the former president of the Black Clergy Council of Englewood, Teaneck and Vicinity and the Past Moderator of the Essex Association of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey and the first female African American Chaplain of the Teaneck Fire Department.[68] Many women serve as moderators for district associations affiliated with the National Baptist Convention.
Same-sex marriage
"The National Baptist Convention USA Inc. does not have an 'official' position on any issues with regards to homosexuality."[i] The National Baptist Convention released an official position statement in 2012 that defines marriage as the exclusive union of a man and a woman.[i] A subsequent position statement in 2014 prohibited the convention's military chaplains from officiating same-sex marriages or civil unions stating that they "are not to participate in any activity that implies or condones same sex marriage or same sex union."[ii] In 2006 the organization stated that a majority of their member churches would hold that homosexuality is not a legitimate expression of God's will and would be opposed to ordaining active homosexuals or lesbians for any type of ministry in their church.[69] Nevertheless, given the denomination's diversity, some pastors and congregations affiliated with the National Baptist Convention announced their support for same-sex marriage.[70][71] "The National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated does not dictate to its constituent churches what position to take on issues because we believe in the autonomy of the local church."[i]
Abortion
Likewise, the National Baptist Convention allows its congregations to decide whether they support or oppose abortion.[72]
The convention has a missionary organization, the National Baptist Foreign Mission Board;[74] it also has a humanitarian organization, NBC USA Disaster Management.[75]
Baptists are a denomination of Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul competency, sola fide, sola scriptura and congregationalist church government. Baptists recognize only two ordinances: baptism and communion.
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), alternatively the Great Commission Baptists (GCB), is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist organization, the largest Protestant, and the second-largest Christian body in the United States. The SBC is a cooperation of fully autonomous, independent churches with commonly held essential beliefs that pool some resources for missions.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is an international Holiness–Pentecostal Christian denomination, and a large Pentecostal denomination in the United States. Although an international and multi-ethnic religious organization, it has a predominantly African-American membership based within the United States. The international headquarters is in Memphis, Tennessee. The current Presiding Bishop is Bishop John Drew Sheard Sr., who is the Senior Pastor of the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ of Detroit, Michigan. He was elected as the denomination's leader on March 27, 2021. On November 12, 2024, Bishop Sheard was re-elected by acclamation to serve another four-year term as the presiding bishop and chief apostle of the denomination.
The American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) is a Baptist Christian denomination established in 1907 as the Northern Baptist Convention, and named the American Baptist Convention from 1950 to 1972. It traces its history to the First Baptist Church in America (1638) and the Baptist congregational associations which organized the Triennial Convention in 1814.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC), incorporated as the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., is a Baptist denomination emphasizing civil rights and social justice. The headquarters of the Progressive National Baptist Convention are in Washington, D.C. Part of the Black church tradition, since its organization, the denomination has member churches outside the United States, particularly in the Caribbean and Europe. It is a member of the National Council of Churches and the Baptist World Alliance.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), more commonly known as the Texas Baptists, is a Baptist Christian denomination in the U.S. state of Texas. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance. Texas Baptist offices are located in the city of Dallas, though convention staff are located across the state. According to a denomination census released in 2023, it claimed 2,038,537 members and 5,375 churches
The National Missionary Baptist Convention of America (NMBCA), also known as the National Missionary Baptist Convention (NMBC), is a predominantly African American Baptist Christian denomination. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the National Missionary Baptists—claiming continuity as the convention of R.H. Boyd—were formed in 1988. The convention is currently led by Dr. Anthony Sharp, I as president.
The National Baptist Convention of America International, more commonly known as the National Baptist Convention of America or sometimes the Boyd Convention, is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is a predominantly African American Baptist denomination, and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The National Baptist Convention of America has members in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa. The current president of the National Baptist Convention of America is Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert Jr. of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship (FGBCF) or Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International (FGBCFI) is a predominantly African-American, Charismatic Baptist denomination established by Bishop Paul Sylvester Morton—a Gospel singer and former National Baptist pastor. Founded as a response to traditional black Baptists upholding cessationism, Full Gospel Baptists advocate for the operation of Charismatic Christian spiritual gifts, while also holding to some traditional Baptist doctrine.
The Black church is the faith and body of Christian denominations and congregations in the United States that predominantly minister to, and are also led by African Americans, as well as these churches' collective traditions and members.
Approximately 15.3% of Americans identify as Baptist, making Baptists the second-largest religious group in the United States, after Roman Catholics. Baptists adhere to a congregationalist structure, so local church congregations are generally self-regulating and autonomous, meaning that their broadly Christian religious beliefs can and do vary. Baptists make up a significant portion of evangelicals in the United States and approximately one third of all Protestants in the United States. Divisions among Baptists have resulted in numerous Baptist bodies, some with long histories and others more recently organized. There are also many Baptists operating independently or practicing their faith in entirely independent congregations.
Religion of Black Americans refers to the religious and spiritual practices of African Americans. Historians generally agree that the religious life of Black Americans "forms the foundation of their community life". Before 1775 there was scattered evidence of organized religion among Black people in the Thirteen Colonies. The Methodist and Baptist churches became much more active in the 1780s. Their growth was quite rapid for the next 150 years, until their membership included the majority of Black Americans.
Although most Baptist groups are congregationalist in polity, some have different ecclesiastical organization and adopt an episcopal polity governance. In those churches the local congregation has less autonomy and the bishop oversees them, assigning pastors and distributing funds.
Joseph Harrison Jackson was an American pastor and the longest serving President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
The Triennial Convention was the first national Baptist denomination in the United States. Officially named the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions, it was formed in 1814 to advance missionary work and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In a dispute over slavery and missions policy, Baptist churches in the South separated from the Triennial Convention and established the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845. This split left the Triennial Convention largely Northern in membership. In 1907, the Triennial Convention was reorganized into the Northern Baptist Convention, which was renamed American Baptist Churches USA in 1972.
The Mount Sinai Holy Church of America (MSHCA) is a Christian church in the Holiness-Pentecostal tradition. The church is episcopal in governance. It has approximately 130 congregations in 14 states and 4 countries and a membership of over 50,000. Its headquarters is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Joint National Baptist Convention, also known as the Joint Black National Convention, or National Baptist Joint Board Session, was initially a joint meeting in 2005 of the four predominantly African American Baptist denominations operating under the derivatives of the name "National Baptist Convention." Its participants—the National Baptist Convention, USA; National Baptist Convention of America; Progressive National Baptist Convention; and National Missionary Baptist Convention of America—represented over 17 million African American Baptists in the United States in 2004. The latter three organizations have either originated from or traced their origin to the National Baptist Convention, USA—or the mother church.
The Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, also known as the Lott Carey Global Christian Missional Community, Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, USA, or simply Lott Carey, is a Baptist Christian denomination in the United States. It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance, and has a predominantly African American membership.
The Alabama Baptist Convention is an autonomous association of Baptist churches in the U.S. state of Alabama formed in 1823. It is one of the state conventions associated with the Southern/Great Commission Baptists.
Mary Virginia Cook Parrish taught, wrote and spoke on many issues such as women's suffrage, equal rights in the areas of employment and education, social and political reform, and the importance of religion and a Christian education. She was at the founding session of the National Association of Colored Women in 1896 at the 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington D.C. She was an early proponent of Black Baptist feminism and founder of the National Baptist Women's Convention in 1900.
↑ Black Leaders in Conflict: Joseph H. Jackson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., by Peter J. Paris (born 1933), The Pilgrim Press (1978); OCLC873337417[pageneeded]
1 2 3 "What We Believe". National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2022-07-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "Of the Church". The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. 2017-05-07. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
↑ Staff writer (26 June 2004). "In Brief". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ Davis, Derek H. "Baptists". Middle Tennessee State University. Retrieved 2022-09-10. Beginning in the early 17th century, Baptists were the first religious group to adopt separation of church and state as a fundamental article of faith.
1 2 "Organizational Structure". National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved November 2, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "Affiliations". Sunday School Publishing Board. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
↑ "Laymen". National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2020-05-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "About". National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-01-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ Larry G. Murphy, J. Gordon Melton, Gary L. Ward, Encyclopedia of African American Religions, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2013, p. LXXIV
↑ "American Baptist College". National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2022-07-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
Hamilton, Shirley. "African American Women Roles In The Baptist Church: Equality Within the National Baptist Convention, USA." (MA Thesis, Wake Forest University, 2009) online
Higginbotham, Evelyn Brooks. Righteous Discontent: The Women's Movement in the Black Baptist Church, 1880-1920 (Harvard University Press, 1993)
Jackson, Joseph H. A Story of Christian Activism: The History of the National Baptist Convention, USA. Inc (Nashville: Townsend Press, 1980); official history
Paris, Peter J. Black Leaders in Conflict: Joseph H. Jackson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1978)
Shipley, Alberta D. and Shipley, David O. The History of Black Baptists in Missouri. Kansas City, MO: Missionary Baptist State Convention of Missouri (1976) (online at the Internet archive) (OCLC 3367610)
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