May 12, 1999

Wilkerson heads BGCT 'slander' committee
___By Marv Knox
___Editor
___FORT WORTH--A special 13-member committee has been named to defend the Baptist General Convention of Texas and its leaders against "slanderous attacks."
___The BGCT Executive Board authorized the committee during its February meeting. The seven clergy and six lay members of the committee have been announced by Executive Board Chairman Clyde Glazener, pastor of Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
___Board member Dan Curry of Arlington proposed the committee, which was approved with only two dissenting votes.
___"I'm tired of the misleading and slanderous attacks on our leaders," Curry said in an emotional speech to the Executive Board. "I believe it's time to take a stand and defend our

"Mrs. Zoblosky, it has been brought to my attention by a reputable source that you have been spreading gossip."

brothers and our state convention and say, 'Enough is enough.'"
___Curry didn't cite specific sources, but he said unfounded allegations have been made against the BGCT and its leaders regarding their stands on such issues as homosexuality and abortion.
___BGCT leaders have expressed frustration that both they and the convention have been misrepresented by people affiliated with Southern Baptists of Texas.
___Southern Baptists of Texas is a new state convention created to align more closely with the Southern Baptist Convention, which has staked out an increasingly conservative position on both theological and political issues in the past 20 years.
___A video and companion document purporting to delineate the wayward thinking and actions of the BGCT and its leaders have circulated across the state. The new "slander committee" will be charged with responding to such allegations, as well as presenting positive information about the work and ministry of the BGCT.
___Committee members are:
___ Chairman John Wilkerson, chairman of the board of a storage company and member of First Baptist Church in Lubbock.
___ Howard Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Amarillo.
___ Curry, pastor of South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington.
___ Doug Dillard, a cartoonist and humorist from First Baptist Church in Richardson.
___ Toby Druin, retired editor of the Baptist Standard and member of First Baptist Church in Duncanville.
___ Robert Jenkins retired director of missions for Smith Baptist Association and a member of First Baptist Church in Tyler.
___ Dan Malone, an attorney and member of First Baptist Church in El Paso.
___ Bob Newell, pastor of Memorial Drive Baptist Church in Houston.
___ Carol Parker, a housewife and member of First Baptist Church in Sonora.
___ Lorenzo Pena, director of missions for El Paso Baptist Association.
___ Barry Peterson, an attorney and member of First Baptist Church in Amarillo.
___ Brad Russell, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gonzales.

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