c. 1999 Religion News Service

TAMPA, Fla. _ The Rev. William Shaw, a pastor from Philadelphia who promised to turn the world’s attention from the tarnished past of the National Baptist Convention, USA to the future, has been narrowly elected to head the denomination, one of the nation’s largest predominantly black religious bodies.

Shaw, 65, the former president of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention and considered one of the front-runners in the race bested a crowded field of 11 candidates, including aggressive and well-financed campaigns by the Rev. Franklyn Richardson of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., and the prominent Rev. E.V. Hill of Los Angeles.

His margin of victory was about 200 votes.”It is a point of beginning for us,”Shaw said moments after learning of his victory.”I would ask now that we go home and bow in prayer and that God would give the direction that we ought take from this point on.” Shaw ran on a campaign with the acronym”VISA”: vision, integrity, structure and accountability.

Before a Wednesday pre-election worship service, Shaw said he hoped to turn the attention of the convention _ and those outside _ from the denomination’s imprisoned former leader, the Rev. Henry J. Lyons to the future.”For the first time, the world has been aware of the convention,”he said.”They’re looking now to see what direction we will take out of this.” Many of the other candidates immediately said they would support Shaw, who will be considered president-elect until he becomes president at a January inauguration.

While they waited for the results to be announced, the delegates turned to other business, including listening to an address by the Rev. Stewart C. Cureton, who has acted as interim president since the March resignation of Lyons and a political message from Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes.

Cureton, of Mauldin, S.C., expressed confidence in the future of the denomination and urged reconciliation, even among the opposing candidates after the election is over.”This convention needs everyone’s support,”he said, drawing applause from the 16,000 people gathered at the Ice Palace Arena.”This convention is bigger than one man. This convention is bigger than a general secretary, a president and five or six vice presidents. The day has come that we as black Baptists must put our swords (away) … and study war no more against each other.” Tensions have been high in the prominent African-American denomination before and since Lyons was sent to prison for stealing money intended for burned black churches and swindling millions from corporations wishing to market products to NBCUSA members.

But Cureton, commended for his calm demeanor throughout his interim term, said no one should gloat over Lyons’ fall from grace.”Our former president, Dr. Henry J. Lyons, needs our prayers,”said Cureton.”In spite of the mistakes that he made, he is still our brother.” Forbes, who addressed the group just before Cureton’s presidential address, supported racial reconciliation and school choice.

Forbes said he would block Department of Education grant money and send it to state and local communities instead.”Let parents choose schools that work _ schools that are safe, clean, drug-free, disciplined, academically challenging and that reinforce rather than undermine the moral and spiritual values that are being instilled at home,”he said.

Although the crowd responded to Forbes politely, most of the Baptists were more immediately interested in their own presidential election than the national one.

The pre-election fervor reached a fever pitch Wednesday night as rallies were held in churches and hotels near downtown Tampa for front-runners and also-rans.

Although the names of 11 candidates remained on the ballot Thursday, two dropped out before the voting began. Under NBCUSA rules, the candidate receiving the most votes, even if it is less than a majority, wins.

Richardson and Shaw ran against Lyons in 1994 and were defeated in a contest whose election procedures were called into question.

Hill and others urged fairness and civility during election day.”If somebody has taught you how to use the poll in a crooked way, forget what they have said,”Hill said.

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