February 12, 2001
EDITORIAL:
Sheep-stealing and cattle-rustling
___The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention has gone from sheep-stealing to cattle-rustling.
___Southern Baptists of Texas left the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 1998 because they could not force the always-conservative BGCT to conform to the increasingly ultra-conservative political/theological posture of the Southern Baptist Convention. They and their surrogates have used lies and guilt-by-association innuendo to recruit churches to leave the BGCT and join them. This is sheep-stealing.
___Now, they are trying to camouflage themselves with the name brands of BGCT universities, child-care institutions and Texas Baptist Men. Jim Richards, executive director of the new convention, has invited leaders of these groups to meet with him to consider creating "formal fraternal relationships" with his convention. This is cattle-rustling.
___Richards' letter says in part: "The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention was founded in November 1998. Theological agreement is one of the foundational aspects of the convention. Missions and evangelism are the priorities in attention and funds. There is a commitment to the historic relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention through the Cooperative Program. By networking, the SBTC avoids bureaucracy. The SBTC does not wish to create new schools and ministries when it is possible to partner with Baptist entities of like faith and practice. ... Your ministry is an important part of Baptist life in Texas. The SBTC would like to explore the possibility of partnership with you."
___This proposal raises at least three issues:
___The proposal reveals the hypocrisy of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
___Early in his letter, Richards says, "My heart goes out to you as you seek to lead your ministry in a time of confusion, hurt and change." The lion's share of confusion in Texas has been fomented by SBTC supporters, who have spread lies about the BGCT. Moreover, untold hurt has been inflicted by the guilt-by-association tactics utilized by SBTC supporters.
___"Theological agreement is one of the foundational aspects of the (SBTC) convention," Richards asserts, and then he expresses desire to partner with BGCT entities of "like faith and practice." Richards represents the organization that has accused the BGCT of liberalism, and yet he offers to partner with BGCT agencies--the clearest manifestation of the BGCT's faith and practice. If the BGCT and its agencies are as heretical as the new convention has portrayed them to be, then why would Richards want to come within 100 miles of them, much less partner with them? The apparent answer is that any kind of relationship with BGCT institutions--several of whom are more than a century old, all of whom hold sterling reputations--could offer SBTC a facade of credibility it can't get without such reliable, visible agents of ministry.
___
___This offer puts the universities, child-care facilities and Texas Baptist Men in a tight spot. On the surface, it's an offer of help and cooperation. But implicitly it is a threat: Lend us your credibility, and we'll give you some of our money. But if you refuse, we'll brand you as uncooperative and unneedful of financial support.
___Historically, the agencies and institutions have worked with all Texas Baptist churches. This includes congregations that have chosen to affiliate with Southern Baptists of Texas. They still will work with them--directly or through the BGCT. But if they do not go along with Richards' offer, count on Southern Baptists of Texas to tell their churches, "The BGCT agencies don't need your money and don't want your support." It will be a lie, but what else is new?
___
___The BGCT trusts Texas Baptists and their institutions, and thus it has built its ministry and heritage on freedom and cooperation. Through the BGCT, Texas Baptists are free to support the causes they desire, and the institutions are free to partner with whomever they wish. The SBTC proposal seeks to politicize the ministries of the institutions. And don't forget that the new convention is bound by doctrinal conformity, an ever-tightening rope that would strangle the institutions.
___Make that a lasso--a useful tool for cattle-rustling.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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