March 1, 2000

SBC asks agencies to report any ecumenical work
___NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)--The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has asked staff and trustees of all convention-related entities to review and report on their work with non-Baptists.
___The Feb. 22 Executive Committee vote represents a compromise response to a motion by a messenger at last summer's SBC annual meeting asking for a committee to study potential "ecumenical" entanglements. The vote stops short of a formal study but is stronger than a September vote that simply encouraged the entities to avoid relationships that might compromise Baptist beliefs.
___In other business at a Feb. 21-22 meeting in Nashville, the Executive Committee:
___ Approved a request to allow the SBC Annuity Board to offer personal and institutional investment plans. The proposal, which must be approved by convention messengers in June, would authorize the Dallas-based Annuity Board to offer personal investments to ministers and denominational workers in addition to regular retirement plans. It also would allow the Annuity Board to work in cooperation with state Baptist foundations and the Southern Baptist Foundation to offer investment services to churches and denominational entities.
___ Authorized Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., to borrow $3.5 million for converting Rice and Judson residence halls into conference and guest housing.
___ Amended a policy to permit Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., to exhibit a display at the SBC annual meeting.

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