June 12, 2000

Messengers decline to establish
reconciliation committee
___ORLANDO, Fla.--Southern Baptists declined to establish a committee aimed at healing fissures between conservatives and moderates but voted to send a letter of support to radio personality Laura Schlessinger.
___ Among 26 motions made from the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 13-14, these two were the only ones put to an immediate vote by messengers. Seven motions were ruled out of order, and the remainder were referred to various SBC agencies for consideration.
___ The proposal to create a committee to work toward "reconciliation and restoration" was proposed by Paddy O'Connor, pastor of First Baptist Church of Brooksville, Fla. O'Connor wanted the SBC president, in consultation with state leaders, to appoint a committee aimed at bringing together various "subgroups" in Baptist life.
___ Messengers overwhelmingly voted the motion down, however, after SBC leaders argued against such a committee.
___ Morris Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee, said such a committee is not needed because fellowship issues such as doctrinal views were decided at the national level by the SBC Peace Committee 10 years ago.
___ "I believe this is not the time to stop and dig a trench, but rather it is a time for Southern Baptists to move like a mighty army upon this world," Chapman said. "The greatest reconciliation will come when Southern Baptists walk shoulder to shoulder" in pointing the world to Jesus Christ.
___ T.C. Pinckney, leader of the new conservative state convention in Virginia, said denominational leaders should not negotiate with others who don't share their theology.
___ "The Southern Baptist tent should be just as broad as God's word--no broader, no narrower," Pinckney said. "Scripture, not cooperation is primary. Let every Southern Baptist accept God's word, and cooperation will follow as day follows night."
___ The convention approved another messenger's motion, however, instructing the SBC president to write a letter to radio personality Laura Schlessinger--known popularly as "Dr. Laura"--commending her "courageous stand" against homosexuality. Schlessinger, who is Jewish, has done much to promote "Judeo-Christian" principles, said Wiley Drake of California, who made the motion.
___ "She knows where we stand as Christians and she takes a strong stand for the family," Drake said in speaking for the motion.
___ No one spoke against the motion; however, it was amended to narrow the convention's commendation of Schlessinger to her views on homosexuality.
___ Among motions referred to SBC agencies were those asking that:
___ FAITH Sunday school evangelism program grants be available to pastors of small churches. The motion by Richard Boswell of Fort Worth was referred to the North American Mission Board and Lifeway Christian Resources.
___ Southern Baptist agencies and seminaries not require employees to sign the Baptist Faith & Message as a condition of employment. The motion by Fred Steelman of Chattanooga, Tenn., was referred to all agencies.
___ NAMB and the International Mission Board change their missionary appointment policies regarding divorce and remarriage to allow service by those who have been divorced for "biblical reasons." The motion by Rick Dominic of Fort Towson, Okla., was referred to NAMB and IMB.
___ The SBC endorse ministries to the homosexual community. The motion by Michael Beshears of Morganton, N.C., was referred to NAMB.
___ A media advisory task force develop media strategies to present Southern Baptists in a positive manner. The motion by Ray Henry of West Palm Beach, Fla., was referred to NAMB.
___ The syndicated radio broadcast named "Powerline" not use secular music and increase its presentation of the gospel. The motion by David King of Monroe, Mich., was referred to NAMB, which produces the radio program at its Fort Worth broadcast center.
___ NAMB hold an evangelistic crusade on the Saturday prior to the annual SBC meeting in New Orleans in June 2001. The motion by John Thompson III of Plymouth, Fla., was referred to NAMB.
___ Solicitation of non-Cooperative Program funds from local churches be restricted. The motion by John Powers of Norfolk, Va., was referred to the SBC Executive Committee.
___ 60 percent of all elected and appointed boards, committees and trustees be made up of members from churches of 300 members or less. The motion by Jim Ferno of Sylvania, Ga., was referred to the Executive Committee.
___ The day of Pentecost be placed on the denominational calendar, by Timothy A. Folds, Sr., Trenton, Fla.
___A study be done on the effects of the SBC boycott of Disney. The motion by Jessie Sanders of Titusville, Fla., was referred to the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.






Send this story to a friend

---

Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!