January 8, 2001

Texas Baptist Forum
Muster for passage
___While Baptist General Convention of Texas study committees can be invaluable, they fail to meet their potential when they limit themselves to funding recommendations but shy away from constructive proposals.
___One concern of the BGCT Seminary Study Committee was a hiring process for Southern Baptist Convention faculty that was perceived to be broken. It was implied the

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process was theologically monolithic, politically focused on candidates siding with the "conservative resurgence" and restrictive in a way that was exclusive.
___If this is so, a constructive proposal would be to clearly define a policy--including doctrinal requirements--for hiring seminary faculty. Our faculty themselves would be one of our best resources for learning what this hiring policy should be.
___While we probably will not soon depart from a trustee system for our seminaries, the SBC annual meeting can instruct the trustees and seminary administrators as to policy. Messengers represent the people who pay the bills.
___It is within a study committee's purview to publish tentative proposals, accept criticism and make modifications. Light is the principle way to combat error. If a study committee will take the time to build a consensus for proposals that take account of bipartisan concerns and are transparently sound, then it is still possible to gain the muster for passage in an SBC annual meeting.
___ Richard Granneman
___ Benbrook

Minor role
___I would like to comment on "IMB told not to worry about Texas" (Dec. 4).
___Couched in the very last paragraph was a fabulous headline for this article, "33 new overseas missionaries commissioned"!!!!!!!!
___Unfortunately, the very significant news was relegated to a minor role so that you could use the occasion to foment some more discord between the state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. When will you guys begin to follow the path you have been espousing--that is reconciliation and cooperation???? On every occasion you seem to choose the path that breeds discord rather than Christian love.
___I think many Texas Baptists are beginning to agree with me-- we're getting tired of this!!
___ Don Scott
___ Austin

Support call
___Greetings from your fellow Texans, students at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Due to this past October's BGCT vote, we thought it necessary to write expressing our sorrow and disappointment. We deeply regret the BGCT action, which will create difficult times for many students who have God's calling on their lives. During the next year, all of our Southern Baptist seminaries will lose needed financial support, and this will affect all seminary students, including Texans.
___This situation seems to be the result of the BGCT Seminary Study Committee's unfair report. We acknowledge that the seminaries have taken a strong stance for Scripture and the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message, but does such action deserve defunding? From James Boyce to J.B. Gambrell to E.Y. Mullins, Baptists have a long history of confessional fidelity in their schools. Academic freedom is not infringed upon, for no one is coerced to be a part of the seminary community. We and our teachers are here by God's calling. A variety of theological viewpoints are represented at Southern Seminary within the framework of our confessional heritage.
___We are pleading our case, hoping that you will choose to support God's call on our lives by sending money to the SBC Cooperative Program. This can be done through the SBC Executive Committee in Nashville. The students from Texas at Southern consider Texas Baptists to be family, and as family we ask for your help.
___ Dan Cargill, Austin
___ Matthew Domin, Austin
___ Jeff & Deneise Raines, Austin
___ Brent Kelly, El Paso
___ Everett Berry, Fort Worth
___ Michael Withers, Houston
___ Mary Joan Danao, Houston
___ Gary Beesinger, Lubbock
___ Jerry Johnson, Malakoff
___ Tim Overton, Pasadena
___ A.J. Smith, Sweetwater

What cooperation?
___I was deeply saddened after reading "Sagemont votes to cut ties to BGCT" (Dec. 18). After growing up under the leadership of L.D. Morgan at First Baptist Church in Pasadena, which helped to start a small church (now Sagemont) led by his son, John Morgan, I was hurt to know the outcome of all our efforts over the past 30 years.
___I must say that when Sagemont Church took the word "Baptist" out of their name, I struggled. However, I felt it was an effort on the part of Sagemont to reach those who might not otherwise attend a Baptist church.
___Now that they have removed themselves from the BGCT, I can't help but wonder what path they have chosen. My former pastor in those days taught me to think freely about Scripture and to use the Holy Spirit as my means of interpretation.
___What type of cooperation is Sagemont looking for? I respect their church autonomy; however, I wonder if they have fallen into the hands of those living under creedal authority.
___ Sandra Magee Womack
___ Pasadena

Stockyards church
___I loved reading the article about the Stockyards church Dan Haby has started (Jan. 1). I visit Fort Worth occasionally and always go the Stockyards while there.
___How wonderful that he would be led to start this church. And what a great opportunity to reach out to all those cowboys and cowgirls that need a place to worship and find Jesus as their own personal Savior. I prayed for him and this new church after reading the article--that God will bless in a "Texas-sized" way!
___And the next time I'm in Fort Worth, I look forward to attending the services.
___ Donna Cannon
___ Henderson

No such circus
___I have given a lot of thought to "3-alarm baptism" (Nov. 20), and I'm concerned as a second-grade Sunday School director for 18 years.
___I suppose most second graders would trust Jesus as Savior and experience such an event as baptism in a specially made fire truck.
___My problem? I can't find that sort of circus in the Bible --and we hear about literal interpretation of the Bible today.
___The area around Springdale, Ark., has many lovely streams, rivers and lakes. I was baptized in a creek north of Rogers, Ark., over 50 years ago--a nice memory, and you can find that in our Bible.
___ A.M. Miller
___ Corpus Christi

Modern parable
___Everything went well at first. Excitement pervaded the disciples. Old vocations were left behind, and these men walked by faith. Each day brought thrills unprecedented.
___Jesus was indeed the miracle worker and the Messiah long awaited. Crowds thronged Jesus and the group. It just didn't get any better than that!
___Until, in a discussion among the disciples, certain Old Testament prophecies were debated.
___"Isaiah said ..."
___"Oh, no, no, no! He meant it this way ..."
___"One thing for sure, the psalmist was on target when ..."
___"Well, yes and no. Except when he put it in Hebraic verse, which was figurative."
___"Figurative, my eye! Right, Thaddeus? Of course, I'm right!"
___"Let the Master handle that leper situation while we thrash this out."
___Suddenly, there was clear division in the group. Five were one way, and six the other. And Judas never knew how he stood on anything.
___Preoccupation set in. No more time for miracles and healing and walking. Let the blind wait. We must consult with the rabbis and get these things figured out. The more arguing, the more the disciples polarized.
___Sure, the ultra-conservatives are good men, but at times they seem a little strange. What are they trying to prove? Are they basically insecure?
___And those moderates are far, far out. Give them a little education, and they go berserk. Fie on them!
___And so, while Jesus went about doing good, the disciples hibernated and became stubborner and stubborner. And the lost world waited.
___ Andrew M. Hall
___ Lake Wales, Fla.

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