Criswell College becomes first institution of S

July 9, 2001

Criswell College becomes first institution of SBTC
___DALLAS--Criswell College has become the first institution to sign a document of formal affiliation with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
___The breakaway convention from the older and larger Baptist General Convention of Texas attempted to woo BGCT-affiliated institutions into similar arrangements earlier this year but found no takers.
___Criswell College is an independent Baptist college founded out of First Baptist Church of Dallas. Its namesake its longtime Dallas pastor W.A. Criswell.
___According to terms of the agreement, the SBTC will contribute more than $600,000 to Criswell College over the next three years. SBTC will nominate three individuals to serve on the Criswell College board. The executive director of SBTC will serve as an ex-officio member of the college's board, and the president of the college will serve as an ex-officio member of the SBTC board.
___Because BGCT-affiliated institutions, including nine schools and an array of child-care and ministry-oriented agencies, have declined to enter into a formal agreement with SBTC, the alternative state convention will not allow its member churches to send money through SBTC to any BGCT entities after Dec. 31.
___Ironically, Criswell College, though never a BGCT-affiliated school, continues to receive funding directed by churches through the BGCT. Unlike the SBTC, the BGCT allows member churches wide latitude in directing Cooperative Program gifts.
___According to Baptist Press, a document recently affirmed by trustees of Criswell College describes the SBTC as "the only cooperating Southern Baptist convention in the state," thus discounting the validity of the BGCT.

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