February 3, 1999

SBC leaders react to Dilday's prediction
___NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Southern Baptist Convention leaders expressed dismay last week with predictions by Russell Dilday that Texas Baptists might reduce funding for some SBC causes.
___Dilday's comments, which originated in an interview with the Abilene Reporter-News, were reported in last week's Baptist Standard. Since, at least three SBC leaders have issued statements suggesting they know what Texas Baptists want to do with their missions money.
___Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said he is "convinced that the vast majority of faithful Texas Baptists cherish and will continue to support the historic partnership we share."
___Richard Land, president of the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, boasted that he is a native Texan and doesn't believe Texas Baptists really want to remove funding from his agency. Before moving to Nashville, Land was dean at Criswell College.
___"I'm a sixth-generation Texan and a Texas Baptist," Land added, "and the Texas Baptists I know are overwhelmingly positive in their support for and in agreement with the ministry of their Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission."
___Morris Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee, also weighed in on the issue, noting: "It is disappointing in a day when state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention are strengthening their partnership that Dr. Dilday would suggest an approach which erodes the relationship between the BGCT and the SBC. We trust the vast majority of Texas Southern Baptist churches will exercise wise judgment and remain loyally committed to the historic missions and theological training of the Southern Baptist Convention."

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