September 18, 2000

TOGETHER:
Seek God's leadership
concerning Texas Baptist options
___"What are our options?" I asked a cross-section of Texas Baptist leaders this week. I was thinking about my stewardship to the churches who cooperate through the BGCT to reach out to our world and who take the primary responsibility for sharing the gospel, starting and growing healthy churches, educating ministers and ministering to people throughout Texas.
___You are aware by now that the Seminary Study Committee proposed to the

CHARLES WADE Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

Administrative Committee of our convention a recommended change in the way Texas Baptists fund theological education. A full report can be found in this Baptist Standard. The lengthy and persuasive document itself is available from the offices of the BGCT, 333 N. Washington, Dallas, 75246.
___I urge every Baptist who wants to understand the recommendations to read the report. There are three key points: First, it has become necessary and right for Texas Baptists to grow and strengthen the young Texas Baptist seminaries--Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor in Waco and Logsdon School of Theology of Hardin-Simmons in Abilene. These schools provide theological training for our sons and daughters who are called to work in the churches and mission fields of Texas and the world.
___Second, the rapid growth of the Hispanic population in Texas requires that we give special attention to building the Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio. Funding changes would help Hispanic Baptist Theological School become a fully accredited institution that can prepare hundreds of Spanish-speaking and bilingual ministers to work in Texas and around the world.
___Third, the changes that have been developing in Baptist life over the last several years have raised serious questions about how we should support Southern Baptist seminaries. This section of the document is painful to read, but it is important that Texas Baptists understand why new approaches had to be considered. If most Texas Baptist churches follow the recommendations of the report, Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth will get most of the money allocated to Southern Baptist seminaries, since the formula is based on supporting schools who are educating Texas Baptist students.
___The Executive Board of the BGCT will consider this report later in September and, if adopted, will present it to the convention meeting Oct. 30-31.
___Another recommendation has to do with finding money to support other ministries to the Hispanic population of Texas, encouraging support for our human welfare institutions as they increase our adoption ministries and care for single mothers and children, and giving help to our Christian Life Commission as it develops resources for families and addresses critical moral issues. In order to do this, the Administrative Committee is recommending to the Executive Board that the BGCT redirect the monies previously going to the SBC's Executive Committee and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
___Again, I raise the question, "What are our options?" I would encourage you to think about that same question. First, we can pray. We can pray for wisdom and courage, discernment and direction. Then, having prayed, we can open our hearts and minds to God's leadership as we seek new ways to work together, moving beyond the disagreements of the past and moving toward a future of promise.
___We are all loved.
___

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