EDITORIAL:
Churches 'vote' on BGCT ministries
___Texas Baptist churches will conduct vital business in the next few weeks, as they determine their budgets for 2001. They will determine how to allocate their Cooperative Program funds. This became particularly important this fall, when the Baptist General Convention of Texas voted to reallocate up to $5.3 million from the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries and two SBC agencies, directing the funds instead to theological education in Texas and other BGCT ministries.
___Now comes the real "vote" on the reallocation proposal. Messengers to the BGCT annual session approved the concept overwhelmingly. But churches will determine its fate as they decide how to direct their money.
___Two factors now are important to consider: First, churches will be able to channel their Cooperative Program funds exactly as they wish, and they need not endure division in doing so. Second, churches would do well to think about what they will leave behind if they decide to defund the BGCT.
___Concerning the first point: Rest assured, your church's funding decision will be honored. The BGCT stands upon a long history of honoring the autonomy of local churches. We won't forsake that cherished doctrine now.
___This principle also can be applied to your church and prevent discord. Just as the BGCT offers churches choices in how they direct their Cooperative Program gifts, your church can give members choices too. That's because funds received from a church don't have to be allocated in only one way. The BGCT can channel funds to state and national causes to accommodate the consciences of your members. And this means your church does not have to debate a win/lose, either/or proposal as it considers how to channel its CP funds.
___This is true, no matter what adversarial voices might say to the contrary. These strong forces have tugged at Texas Baptist churches in the last few months. Some have sought to convince churches to reduce or curtail completely their support for the BGCT. A competing convention has sought to convince churches that it provides the only mechanism for remaining faithful. Attention has focused on the political issues that have divided Baptists in Texas and throughout the SBC. Texas churches have been told that if they defund the BGCT they will defund the "politics" that divides them.
___However, a decision to defund the BGCT is a decision to undermine ministries that touch lost and hurting humanity on behalf of our Savior, Jesus Christ. That brings us to the second factor to be considered: Think about the ministries and blessings a church will leave behind if it chooses to defund the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___For example--to note just a very few examples--your BGCT Cooperative Program funds enable the state convention to:
___ Start record numbers of churches. This past year, Texas Baptists began 277 churches, pushing church starts beyond the five-year goal of 1,400 new congregations. But hundreds more are needed, particularly as the Texas population explodes.
___ Help hurting people. Almost everywhere you turn in the Lone Star State, Texas Baptists are ministering to people in need. We operate four childcare ministries with facilities statewide--loving children in crisis, helping fractured families, providing alternatives to abortion. We provide three aging ministries, offering care and services for people who are near the end of their earthly lives. We help support six health systems, primarily providing chaplaincy care to people in physical crisis. In each of these ministries, Texas Baptists extend holistic care to needy people--healing and nurturing both body and soul.
___ Strengthen churches. From church loans, to conflict resolution, to program support, to architectural advice, to evangelistic training, to outreach support, the BGCT strengthens its 6,000 affiliated churches.
___ Prepare tomorrow's leaders. The BGCT operates eight universities and three other schools, provides theological education for laypeople and, through Baptist Student Ministry, reaches out to evangelize and disciple students on 131 campuses.
___ Partner with other Baptists. Through Texas Partnerships, the BGCT helps support the ministries of Baptists in Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Asia, Cuba, and the Northeast and Northwest regions of the United States. Through Mission Service Corps, we provide 1,212 volunteer missionaries who staff ministries throughout Texas and on mission fields. Through River Ministry, we share the gospel, start churches and support human welfare ministries up and down the Rio Grande. Through Disaster Relief, we serve people in dire circumstances.
___This is but a tiny glimpse of the ministries supported by our churches as we fund the BGCT Cooperative Program. Churches that leave will miss out on tremendous blessings as Texas Baptists continue to serve the Lord across our beloved state.
___Your church's "vote" can honor members' wishes and strengthen vital ministries.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com


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