The Lord’s Supper, the Church Covenant, and a Pastor’s Conscience
I do not know how to begin.
I have started writing this blog post many times, but have struggled to get beyond a few sentences.
Admittedly, an impediment to my writing is the weight of emotions, the complexity of relationships, and the incompletion of my own processing of the events that have transpired.
On May 3, 2026, after 14 years of ministry at Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, I preached my last sermon as their pastor and read my resignation letter. For many, this was unexpected, and it has raised many questions. From day one, I have loved Central Baptist and been greatly blessed by this church. I counted each ministry opportunity and every time I stepped into the pulpit as a holy privilege. Though I knew that one day the Lord might call us away from this wonderful church, I assumed that when that day came, the departure would be characterized by mutual appreciation and blessing. The length of tenure and the depth of genuinely deep relationships had created, at least for us, a strong attachment to the people of the church and a desire to do all things in the most beneficial and pastoral manner. Sadly, such a congenial departure was not afforded to us, and this has created many questions. This post is my attempt to clarify what brought us to this point.
Two weeks prior to my resignation, the personnel committee delivered a letter to me requesting that I immediately vacate my position, listing 7 issues that led them to this decision. This letter was unexpected as it was the first and only communication from the committee to me. Six of the issues raised concerned subjective assessments that, I felt, were inappropriately applied or simply untrue. Not given the opportunity to respond, I will have to trust that a true assessment of these will be found in the fruit of my labor and the testimony of the church.
The seventh issue was revealed to be the primary one and would dominate the discussion during the single meeting I had with the committee about my departure. The letter referenced my “use of the church covenant in ‘fencing in the Lord’s Supper’.” Though the language was awkward, it was referring to how I administer the Lord’s supper and “fence the table.”
If you had told me a year ago that my church would be in conflict over the proper administration of the Lord’s Supper and that this conflict would result in the ending of my ministry at the church, I would have laughed. And yet, this was the issue.
Though our church’s confessional statement calls for closed communion,[1] it has been the church's practice for many years to observe “close” communion. Thus, my practice of “fencing the table” is to read the scriptural warning of 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, followed by the following qualifications for who is welcomed to partake of the Lord’s Supper:
A believer in Jesus Christ who has been obedient to be baptized by immersion.
A member of the church who is in good standing / right fellowship with the church.
Anyone not a member of the church must be baptized by immersion and be a believer in good standing/right fellowship with a church that preaches the same gospel we preach.
I then say the following,
“I request for the safety of your own soul that if you are not a believer or if you are not in good standing with your church, you refrain from partaking in the Lord’s Supper. The way our church defines what it means to be in good standing / right fellowship is our church covenant.”
I then read the church covenant.
The church’s covenant calls for, among other things, “abstaining from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to abstain from and to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs; and to abstain from and combat the spread of pornography.” I am aware that some in the church objected to the language regarding alcohol. While a few individuals expressed a desire for me to stop reading the covenant, in part because of this language, none have been willing to propose an amendment to remove it.
Though modernized and amended, the church’s covenant is the one most common among Southern Baptist Churches. It was written by J. Newton Brown and published in 1853.[2] By 1956, it had gained such widespread acceptance among Southern Baptist churches that it was printed in the 1956 Baptist Hymnal. Central Baptist was founded in 1909 and most likely adopted the Brown Covenant upon its organization. To this day, many Baptist churches have it printed and prominently displayed in their sanctuaries.
The polity of Baptist churches recognizes each congregation as autonomous, and thus is individually responsible for defining theological, doctrinal, and membership standards. As such, Baptist churches typically affirm a confessional statement that defines their theology and a confession that defines membership expectations. When speaking to prospective members, I explain that to be a member of the church, they must agree with the confessional statement. And though they may not agree with everything in the covenant, they must be willing to submit to its requirements. Confessional statements deal primarily with first-level theological issues and some second-order doctrines. Covenants typically address second-order doctrines. The confessional statement defining the theology and doctrines Central Baptist subscribes to is the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.[3] The BFM recognizes the role and function of a church covenant in its definition of a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ as “an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.” If you are unfamiliar with the differences among first-level theological issues, second-order doctrines, and third-order issues, I would recommend Dr. Albert Mohler’s article, "A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity." In the article, he coins the term “Theological Triage” and explains the differences between the three.[4]
When I met with the personnel committee, significant time was given to this issue. It was communicated that at least some on the committee believed the church should practice open communion, with no restrictions on the Lord’s Supper beyond believing faith. It was said that any other restrictions placed on the Lord’s Supper participation were “unbiblical” and that with my instructions, I was adding to the requirements of salvation beyond grace.
It grieves me that there appears to be, among the church leadership, a conflation of first-level soteriological theology and second-order ecclesiological doctrines. However, it is my conviction that the church bears the responsibility and accountability for the administration of the Lord’s Supper. I do indeed believe that, as an ordinance of the church, the Lord’s Supper should only be administered to those who have confessed faith in Christ Jesus, are living in faithful obedience, and who are in right fellowship with the church according to its confessional statements, covenants, and discipline. While it is deeply disappointing to discover that these convictions have become a source of disagreement, my conscience will not allow me to compromise on this issue.
There have been sweet encouragements. A family for whom the fencing of the table brought about salvation, church membership, and obedience to be baptized among no less than three generations communicated their appreciation. Others have called and otherwise communicated their appreciation for teaching and upholding membership standards. But the sweetest and most precious came from my own family. In the hours after my resignation, my family was discussing the day. A few years ago, because of the instructions and warnings I gave before the Lord’s Supper, one of our kids began to question the legitimacy of their profession of faith. What followed were several months of lengthy discussions and prayer, culminating in her confession of Christ and a request for baptism again, this time as a true believer. That day, it was a precious moment to baptize my daughter and, after a long season of abstaining, to serve her the Lord’s Supper. As we discussed the day's events, my daughter said, “Dad, I know it is hard to lose your job, but it was worth it to me.”
Though I will no longer have any influence over Central Baptist, I am praying that God will use this season to help the church clarify its understanding of its responsibility and accountability for administering the ordinances, and to more clearly define what it means to be a member.
What now…
I do not know.
When asked how to pray, I generally request prayer for discernment as I seek a new place of ministry, and for the Lord to provide for this quickly. And for prayer for my family as we process the many changes this will require.
We are confident in the good providence of the Lord. This is not how we would have written the story, but like the lyrics to the wonderful hymn God Moves in a Mysterious Way," declare, “God's purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.”
And so, for now, we wait and pray.
Recently, during my morning prayer time, I was praying about how I felt that, after so many years of pastoring Central Baptist and the many sacrifices related to this work, it was unkind and dishonoring to be so unceremoniously put aside. Even as the words left my lips, I felt the Lord challenge my heart with the question, “To whom did you make the offering?” Indeed, if it were to men, then I may have a complaint, but if to God, then it was a feeble offering in response to His unmerited grace, and I am owed nothing.
I trust that many of you will pray for us, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
God Bless,
Ben
My letter to the church:
May 3, 2026
Dear Church,
Audio recording of 5/3/2026 resignation announcement
Beginnings are easier than endings. Beginnings have anticipation but no experience, happiness but no joy that has been tested by sorrow, and pleasantries without the weight of authentic relationships. We experienced such a beginning on Resurrection Sunday 14 years ago, but today, we experience the ending.
The Personnel Committee has called for my resignation, citing doctrinal differences. These differences primarily relate to my conviction that the church bears the responsibility and accountability for the administration of the Lord’s Supper. I believe that, as an ordinance of the church, it should only be administered to those who have confessed faith in Christ Jesus, are living in faithful obedience, and who are in right fellowship with the church according to its covenants, confessional statements, and discipline.
Others believe that there should be no restriction on the Lord’s Supper beyond believing faith. While it grieves me that, for some, the Lord’s Supper has become a source of disagreement, my conscience will not allow me to compromise on this issue.
It was with deep sadness that I received the news that the Personnel Committee has determined that my ministry among you must come to an end. In response to their request, I tender my resignation as your pastor, effective today.
I recognize that for some this news will be welcomed, for others heartbreaking, and for many unexpected. However, regardless of your feelings towards me, I assure you that it has been a joy to pastor you, my heart holds great love for you, and as long as the Lord gives me breath, I will continue to pray for you.
Throughout my ministry among you, I have endeavored to give great attention to the faithful exposition of God’s word. It is my driving conviction that the ministry of preaching is the church’s primary ministry. I have pastored you with this conviction, believing that a faithful church requires faithful preaching. Today’s sermon was the 1,602nd time I have had the opportunity to preach or teach God’s word to you, and I can assure you that each opportunity has been a cherished privilege and honor. Over these 14 years together, it has been a happy labor to preach God’s word. Such an extended season allowed me to preach through 22 complete books of the Bible and significant portions of many more. I pray that this labor has borne good and godly fruit in your life.
My primary prayer for you is that you will continue to grow deeper in your understanding of and love for the word. The months ahead will bring many challenges as you search for a new pastor and transition to new leadership. Add to this that, as culture grows more secular, the need for doctrinal and theological clarity will become increasingly essential. Though these challenges are great, I am confident in God’s provision for you and pray that you will not grow weary.
Dear church, it has been a great privilege to serve you. Over these years, there have been many times we have cried together, grieved together, and laughed together. Many of you invited me into your moments of joy, grief, celebration, and loss. And each of these moments I counted as a holy privilege.
As for me, please pray for discernment as I seek a new place of ministry, and for the Lord to provide for this quickly. Also, pray for my family as we process the many changes this will require.
May God bless you, may God prosper your ministry, and may God protect your testimony.
Always for His glory and forever a servant of His kingdom, with great affection and love,
Ben Smith
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24–25 (ESV)
[1] Southern Baptist Convention, “The Baptist Faith and Message 2000,” arts. VI–VII, accessed May 8, 2026, https://bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/.
[2] J. Newton Brown, The Baptist Church Manual: Containing the Declaration of Faith, Covenant, Rules of Order and Brief Forms of Church Letters (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1853), 23, Google Books, accessed May 8, 2026, https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Baptist_Church_Manual/99s7AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1.
[3] Central Baptist Church, Constitution, Central Baptist Church, Waycross, Georgia, art. III.
[4] Albert Mohler, “A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity,” AlbertMohler.com, July 12, 2005, https://albertmohler.com/2005/07/12/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity/.
