We have inherited from our elders a long, strong history of lay leadership, in partnership with staff members who were willing to take prophetic stances. OBC has grown to value an open and transparent process of discernment and decision-making. In part because of the wounds that had resulted from mass exodus of members in the 1960s, the congregation over time grew to value “disagreement without divorce.” We work hard to hear and value every voice, at times perhaps especially the dissenting one, in order to honor relationships as well as to be open to the possibility that the Holy Spirit is speaking through the dissention.

The theological basis for our emphasis on lay leadership process (our model of “taking as long as it takes” and coming close to consensus) is based on, among other things, such Baptist principles as the competency of the individual soul in matters of faith, the priesthood of all believers and the value of community expressed in congregational autonomy.

In recent history, prophetic stands of staff ministers have led us as a congregation into interfaith work and witness, increasing awareness and trust of spiritual discernment practices, and deepening the pastoral component of music and the arts in congregational life. Strong lay empowerment has manifested itself repeatedly in the birthing of mission groups, church school classes, covenant groups, innovative worship, pastoral care, and evangelism and outreach. We have learned how to inform and include all members as part of the process and are developing healthy models of shared authority, power and leadership.