October 16, 2000
EDITORIAL:
Lose-lose trap threatens Texans
___Whether by shrewd design or mere accident, Morris Chapman set a trap for Charles Wade and Baptist General Convention of Texas leaders.
___Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, proposed that he and Wade, executive director of the BGCT, gather a group to discuss the relationship between the two conventions. In response to recent changes in the national convention, the state convention will vote Oct. 30-31 on proposals that would alter the way the BGCT funds, and subsequently relates to, the SBC.
___So, Chapman suggested he select six people and Wade select six people, and the 14 leaders sit down--supposedly to talk about reconciliation--before the BGCT annual session in Corpus Christi late this month.
___Chapman's proposal created a lose-lose scenario for Wade. After giving the matter consideration, Wade told Chapman that arranging such a crucial meeting within the time frame immediately before the BGCT annual session was not reasonable. Chapman went straight to Baptist Press, which he operates, trumpeting his claim that the BGCT refuses to talk with or respond to the SBC.
___If Wade had agreed to the meeting and it came off before the BGCT, then either (a) Chapman could have accused the BGCT of being uncooperative anyway, if the dialogue had resulted in anything other than capitulation to the SBC perspective, or (b) Wade could have been accused of undermining six months of work by the special BGCT-approved Seminary Study Committee and the ongoing work of the BGCT Administrative Committee and Executive Board.
___We should see Chapman's proposal for what it appears to be--a ploy to cast Wade and the BGCT in a bad light in order to sway the votes, and more importantly the church budgets, of Texas Baptists.
___This vision becomes clear when we examine Chapman's own recent actions. Let's compare his responses to the current BGCT situation and a similar situation in the SBC this summer.
___When the SBC annual meeting convened in June, a messenger proposed that the national convention create a "unity committee," intended to heal the division between moderates and conservatives.
___Chapman took to the podium and spoke vigorously against creation of a unity committee. He claimed a reconciliation committee was unnecessary, since the SBC Peace Committee completed its work in 1987. "I believe this is not the time to stop and dig a trench," he said. Chapman also said reconciliation is unnecessary because Southern Baptists have received record budgets and offerings for the past seven years--clear signs of God's blessing upon the convention.
___That was then, in the midst of an SBC meeting he controlled, which went his way. This is now, shortly before the BGCT annual session, which he cannot control and which may not go his way. Now, he wants to act according to principles he rejected just four months ago. This is hypocritical.
___Moreover, Chapman's current words do not square with facts. By his own statement, he and Wade agreed "not to be publicly critical of each other while the talks were progressing."
___That was Sept. 28, when Chapman and Wade met to consider planning the BGCT/SBC leadership meeting and well before he learned Wade did not feel the process should proceed. However, simultaneously with Chapman's "no criticism" promise, the Executive Committee already was mailing out a magazine highly critical of the BGCT and its leaders, led off by a cover letter from Chapman. Simultaneously with his pledge not to condemn, the Executive Committee was putting the final touches on a new website devoted to attacking the BGCT. One shudders to think what would have happened if Chapman had not pledged to be nice.
___The insidious aspect of Chapman's scheme is its play on Baptists' desire for peace. What Baptist wouldn't like to roll back the clock to happier times? We all wish for restored relationships and reconciliation. Many of us have wished for this for 20 years, not just since the BGCT refunding recommendations first surfaced this fall.
___But Chapman's latest move appears calculated to neutralize the recommendations to change the funding relationship the BGCT has with the SBC. He could win three ways: First and second, he could count on the lose/lose web he spun for Wade. Third, even if a BGCT/SBC committee made progress, he could appeal for BGCT messengers to vote down the funding proposals in light of "imminent reconciliation."
___Chapman has much at stake. Of course, he must look toward the bottom line and balancing the SBC budget. Far more importantly, according to his theology, those numbers transcribe God's pleasure or displeasure with the SBC.
___To be sure, the vast majority of Texas Baptists want peace. Chapman and the new SBC leadership have had 20 years to work for peace but have chosen instead to consolidate control. Now, rather than attack a BGCT straw man of his own making, let Chapman take initiatives to demonstrate his willingness to work for peace:
___Recommend the repeal of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement and the reaffirmation of the 1963 statement.
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___These would be good steps toward reconciliation. After all, actions still speak louder than words.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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