September 11, 2000
EDITORIAL:
False choices trap Baptists in corner
___A Texas Baptist pastor's anguished letter echoes the lamentations raised by his colleagues across the state, especially as denominational discord dominates the day.
___"As I wrestle with what to do as it relates to my church, this is my greatest pain: My church is in danger of having serious harm done to its fellowship over the denominational confusion," he explains. "I deplore this!!! I have poured my life out for this people, to lead them to be a fellowship of love, but denominational activists on both sides of the issue seek to sow seeds of discord in our fellowship."
___The tension reflected in his letter has built for years. It began two decades ago, when so-called conservatives set out to gain control of the Southern Baptist Convention. It reached a plateau when they succeeded in 1990. Further developments elevated the tension within the Baptist General Convention of Texas throughout the '90s, as Texas Baptists sought to respond to changes within the SBC.
___That tension escalated this year. The catalyst was provided by SBC adoption of a new Baptist Faith & Message statement. The new statement contains language about the relationship between Jesus and Scripture, as well as about the authority of the local church, that some Texas Baptists called offensive if not heretical. As a result, some BGCT loyalists have strengthened their demands for the state convention to dissociate itself from SBC actions they believe to be reprehensible. And as the BGCT annual session approaches, participants are expected to consider proposals to reduce the default funding that goes to the SBC, thus providing more money for BGCT causes--an action SBC loyalists disdain.
___So, pastors are feeling the pinch. Some have discontinued their churches' subscriptions to the Baptist Standard, apparently thinking that if their parishioners do not know about the problem, it will not surface in their churches. Still, it is surfacing and will continue to do so, long after the BGCT annual session has adjourned.
___Unfortunately, many pastors and churches are operating in response to false choices. These choices paint them into political corners from which they cannot find peaceful escape. This is unnecessary. Here are the false choices and their remedies:
___False choice No. 1: National affiliation is an either/or decision. Many Texas Baptists think any "distancing" the BGCT does from the SBC moves it closer to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a so-called moderate group formed in 1991.
___Not true. Baptist structure is not hierarchical. A state convention is not a subset of any national or international body. The BGCT does not necessarily relate to only one national convention or the other.
___The BGCT historically has related voluntarily with the SBC, the Baptist World Alliance, other state conventions, partner conventions in other countries and, since 1994, the CBF. As a convention, we are free to relate to any group.
___Furthermore, this relationship actually reflects the churches' own decisions. Money the BGCT channels to other conventions is allocated according to decisions made by BGCT churches. Your church has the freedom to decide whom it supports--and does not support.
___
___Not true. Baptists historically have honored the priesthood of all believers and thus the decisions of all members.
___Some thoughtful Texas Baptist churches embody this principle by allowing each member or family to decide how the Cooperative Program portion of their contribution is divided. So, a church can affirm members who wish to support any and all Baptist conventions without forcing a rupture of the fellowship. In fact, this approach strengthens a church by uplifting and affirming the wisdom and consciences of its members.
___Baptists function like a family. More harm is done when problems and challenges are ignored than when they are acknowledged and tackled together. As we work together, seeking win/win solutions--which can be found when we honor each other's consciences and convictions--we can help each member and the Baptist "family" at-large to overcome this challenge.
___So, don't fall for false choices. Too much is at stake to paint your church and our convention into a corner.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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