About Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association

In April 1981, there were two separate ministerial groups in Memphis, Tennessee. These two groups had in existence approximately fifty years. Ninety-five percent of the ministers who attended either group did not know the principals involved in the split of the fifty years ago, neither did we know the reasons for the parting of ways. 

It was out of this quandary that a committee was formed to see in unification among the brotherhood could be attained. This committee consisted of the following persons: Reverend Calvin Mins. Donzell Hykes Robert Guy, R. Donson, K.T. Whalum, R. H. Green, with Reverend W. Herbert Brewster and Reverend A. McEwen Williams serving as advisors in the project.

The committee was formed and sailed under the banner of the Exploratory Committee. The first report was rendered to each governing body (the governing bodies being the Baptist Pastor’s Alliance and the Baptist Minister’s Conference). Both bodies accepted the report of their committee members and empowered them to work out what amounted to the Articles of Merger.

On July 7, 1981 at the Golden Leaf Baptist Church , these articles of merger were presented to both groups and received almost unanimous acceptance. The only noticeable dissenting vote came from the Reverend L. H. Aldridge.

The Articles of Merger consisted of the following clauses:

1. That the name of the new group would be known as the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association (MBMA).

2. That we would follow a practice of David in the Bible and move the place of the meeting to a place other than where either group had previously met, i.e. we would not meet at either St. John at Golden Leaf.

3. It was then decided that we would, for the time being, meet at the New Era Baptist Church on Laurel Street. Details for the meeting place could be arranged later.

4. It was voted upon that Reverend V. B. Buren and the Reverend L. A. Hamblin would serve as co-chairman until such time that the newly organized could elect permanent officers.

There are other matters involved in the merger but an extensive detail of them at this juncture would be beside the point. 

With the organization of the alliance, the Memphis City Congress voted to remain with the newly formed alliance and abandon the body of longstanding. This caused the parent body, the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, to consider initiating organizational plans. These plans took place on Sunday, February 21, 1982 at the Olivet Baptist Church pastored by Reverend K.T. Whalum.

After the merger meeting concluded, several brethren got together and reorganized the Baptist Pastor’s Alliance, saying that it had not been democratically disbanded. The previous administration (the one that had been retired by the rule of tenure) was reinaugurated and the tenure clause forever and eternally abolished.

This action left some of the ministers, who had negotiated in good faith for a merger of these two groups, in a state of spiritual frenzy. It ahs tended to cause brother to rise against brother, church against church, confusion in the stead of peace. Is the ideal of unity so inimical to the this community that we cannot dwell together in peace? Is the concept too large for the Memphis brotherhood?

Press Release

On July 7, 1981, the Baptist Pastor’s Alliance and the Baptist Minister’s Conference voted to merge the two organizations. The merged body is known as the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association. The separate bodies have existed for a good many years. The merged body consists of approximately 250 ministers and between 40 to 50 thousand members.

Two priorities will receive immediate affection and reflection from the brotherhood. They are as follows: (1) goals and objectives of the merged bodies will be formulated and (2) a statement of mission will be drafted.

Uppermost in our minds at the present is the thought of unity. We cannot be deterred from this noble aim by any group of persons. This unity will enable us to be more people centered and one of our basic concerns will be with the oppressed and the wretched of the earth.