May 26, 1999

EDITORIAL:
Living option symbolizes relations
___The newest option for giving to the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Cooperative Program budget(see story) symbolizes three facets of Baptist relationships.
___The new option illustrates:
___ The divide has grown between some Texas Baptist churches and the Southern Baptist Convention. The key word is "some." The relationship between the SBC and many, if not most, Texas Baptist churches remains unchanged. Countless Texas Baptists are blissfully unaware of controversy and conflict.
___But some Texas Baptist churches want to distance themselves from the SBC, which has marched sharply to the theo-political right. Distancing already has been available through existing Cooperative Program giving options: Some Texas Baptists confine their financial support to BGCT causes. Some support BGCT causes and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, an SBC rival.
___This newest option is tailor-made for another category of Texas Baptists. They are troubled by what they perceive as the SBC's recent theological/cultural isolationism, by creeping Calvinism in seminaries, by its new-right ultra-conservative politics. But these Texans still want to "do right by the missionaries" and never would think of dropping support for more than 4,000 Southern Baptists overseas.
___So, now they will be able to fund missions, help the "local" SBC seminary in Fort Worth and provide aid through the Annuity Board for needy retired pastors. They will stand close to the causes they hold dear, but they will distance themselves from aspects of the SBC that disturb them.
___Yes, this option allows more distance between some Texas Baptist churches and the SBC. Two questions remain: Will these churches' distance pull the BGCT further away from the SBC? Or will this option help provide a sense of equilibrium to the relationships, allowing each church to determine its own convention-distance and allowing the rest of us to drop the debate?
___ BGCT relationships are complex. Many Texas Baptists feared how this new option would turn out. The fright-rumor mill premised it would become the BGCT's Cooperative Program default, forcing churches that wish to support all SBC agencies into a complicated process to get their money delivered. This proposal, of course, never materialized. Similarly, proposals to delete Southwestern Seminary and add the Fellowship to this option fell by the wayside. Advocates of Cooperative Program options consistently have said they want to provide easy ways for churches to make choices, not thwart them from exercising their free will.
___The rumors and responses to this new option illustrate the complexity of relationships. Some Texans maintain steadfast loyalty to the SBC and see unqualified support for SBC causes as the litmus test for relationships within Texas. Others feel strongly that the SBC has abandoned Baptist ideals and principles; they are resolved no longer to linger. Unfortunately, the notion of how to relate to the SBC is the primary irritant among intra-Texas relationships. Fortunately, an agreement to disagree about the SBC could resolve much Texas conflict.
___ The future holds myriad possibilities for relationships. How will Texas Baptists resolve these differences? Who knows?
___SBC leaders could do much to improve relationships. Up to now, they have blamed others for the disaffection many Texans feel. It's the Fellowship's fault for competing. It's Texas Baptists Committed's fault for stirring things up. However, if many Texas Baptists weren't already put off by the style and substance of the new SBC and its leaders, efforts to "distance" would go nowhere.
___If key SBC leaders wish to restore relationships, they can start by: Including all Baptists in positions of leadership and service. Toning down harsh, isolationist rhetoric. Bailing out of the ultra-right political juggernaut. Working cooperatively and peaceably with other Baptists. Admitting an autocratic leadership style will not join hearts and hands together.
___Perhaps my faith is weak, but I do not expect this to happen. The convention and culture have changed radically in the past 20 years. New organizations, such as rival pro-SBC state conventions in Texas and Virginia, need the differences to justify their existence.
___So, Texas Baptists must look to ourselves for avenues to harmony and reconciliation. First, let's agree to disagree about national convention issues. Let the churches decide how to relate and honor those decisions. Second, let's recognize that what we hold in common far exceeds what separates us. Texas Baptists are Christ-honoring, Bible-believing, missions-minded, church-building, faith-affirming Christians. We share doctrines and practices. We can build upon that foundation. Third, let's affirm that the cause of Christ across Texas and around the world is worth setting aside disagreements in order to fulfill the Great Commission.
___ --Marv Knox

E-mail the editor at marvknox@flash.net

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