Wilshire Baptist Church votes
to terminate relationship with SBC
___By Marv Knox
___Editor
___DALLAS--Wilshire Baptist Church has voted to "terminate" its 49-year relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention.
___The northeast Dallas congregation approved a resolution calling for separation from the SBC by unanimous votes with two abstentions during two business meetings held in conjunction with prayer services Dec. 6.
___Wilshire has affiliated with the SBC since the church was founded nearly 50 years ago, according to the resolution and an explanatory preamble statement.
___"From the outset, Wilshire's members realized that they could not fulfill their role in publishing the good news of Christ if they limited their focus to their own church and their own neighborhood," the preamble states. "They understood that they needed to join their resources with other Baptists to support domestic and global mission initiatives, universities and seminaries, hospitals and numerous other endeavors that are far beyond the means of even the most affluent of congregations."
___To do so, the church chose to affiliate with the SBC and other ministry organizations, the statement notes.
___That relationship was "entirely consistent with (the church's) founders' commitment to Baptist principles or distinctives," it says, specifically citing affirmations for religious liberty of individuals and the autonomy of the local congregation.
___"In recent years, Wilshire has witnessed a change in the attitudes of the leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention," the statement adds. "These leaders have become increasingly intolerant of beliefs and opinions that differ from their own as they have become less inclusive in their decision-making process."
___This position has raised concerns among Wilshire members, it says. "We are uncomfortable with alliances that dictate that participants be identically minded Christians. We will associate with organizations that share our devotion to inclusiveness, tolerance and liberty. We will affiliate with entities that reflect our fidelity to Baptist principles."
___That means continued affiliation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Dallas Baptist Association and the Greater Dallas Community of Churches.
___"Through these partnerships, we are able to pursue our mission without compromising the Baptist principles to which we adhere," the statement reports.
___The purpose of the church's action is "not to question the faithfulness of the Southern Baptist Convention, its leadership or any of its affiliated institutions," the statement continues. "It is not to claim for ourselves any unique legitimacy as Christians or Baptists; it is not to send a message of incrimination to anyone. ...
___"We are not confronting the Southern Baptist Convention leadership. We are confronting our expectations of ourselves. Doing so, we realize that the continuation of our formal association with the Southern Baptist Convention is incompatible with the manner in which we intend to realize our goals as a church."
___As amended, Wilshire's constitution now states, "This church will cooperate with and support organizations that assist the church in fulfilling its mission in consonance with traditional Baptist principles."
___The recommendation to sever ties with the SBC had been discussed within the church for several months and was crafted by a deacon study committee.
___Pastor Emeritus Bruce McIver was among those speaking in favor of the action, although he said it was painful to do so. McIver and others in the congregation said they cherish what the SBC has meant to them in the past but realize it is time to acknowledge the future is elsewhere.
___The church has a resident membership of 1,451 and averages about 900 in Sunday School attendance. It gave about $225,000 through the BGCT Cooperative Program last year, mainly earmarked for BGCT ministries. The church was the state's top-giving church to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship last year, contributing $217,850 to the national body.
___George Mason is pastor.
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