June 19, 2000

SBC declines to create unity 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.
___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.
___ 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.
___ Sixty 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.

Send this story to a friend

---

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