ANOTHER VIEW:
Officers respond to missionary crisis
___As officers of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, we cannot ignore the International Mission Board's sudden change in policy and requirements of our missionaries. We have already received requests for help, and the change is causing a lot of pain for many families who have dedicated their lives to missions.
___Specifically, we are referring to the letter written by IMB President Jerry Rankin asking all missionaries employed by the IMB to sign an affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message. His request comes after some expressed "suspicion" about missionaries and their beliefs.
___This required signing is clearly beyond what should be requested of missionaries who have been in service for years, and it marks a change in our history. Baptists have never elevated a man-made document above holy Scripture.
___The very fear that was expressed by many upon the adoption of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement is coming true. Although we expected a decision like this in the future, we hoped it would not be so soon.
___What has happened so far?
___ Seminaries are using the 2000 statement as criteria for faculty employment and are even encouraging students to sign this loyalty oath.
___ Some state conventions are requiring conformity to the new statement as a condition of membership in the state convention.
___ Already one Texas association is refusing to seat a local church's messengers unless that church accepts the 2000 statement.
___ SBC agencies are using it as "the" watershed for employment at that agency.
___ Just last year, the IMB asked regional directors to sign affirmation of the document as a requirement for employment. Now, the IMB has gone back on its much-publicized word that it would not require IMB missionaries to sign the document as a condition of employment. We have just received notice that the North American Mission Board will also require signatures of all full-time missionaries that are placed on our state conventions--with innuendo that more signature requirements are to come.
___Truly, the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement is being used in a creedal fashion--something no true Baptist should tolerate. These employees are not being asked to affirm their belief in the holy Scriptures (as all already have done); they are being asked to declare allegiance to a man-made creed.
___Some of the finest Southern Baptists in the world serve as IMB missionaries. Many are calling, writing, e-mailing and contacting the BGCT for help, prayer and compassion. These godly men and women are in pain because they are being asked to adhere to a creedal statement, an "instrument of doctrinal accountability."
___As officers of the BGCT, we feel a calling from God to answer the outcry of these godly men and women.
___We believe God is calling all Texas Baptists to offer immediate relief from this oppressive requirement. We believe it is a political tactic to try to force the BGCT into a corner. This is truly a no-win situation.
___ We request the Executive Board to provide aid to those who--because of conscience--cannot sign and may be forced to discontinue their service with the IMB.
___ Furthermore, we ask the Missions Review and Initiatives Committee to include in its report a recommendation for a worldwide mission fund to support missionaries who are committed Baptists and believers in every word of holy Scripture, but who cannot adhere to the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message.
___ Finally, we call upon all BGCT churches and other interested Baptists to join us in prayerfully, spiritually and financially finding a way to undergird and encourage all missionaries through this difficult time.
___ Bob Campbell
___ BGCT president
___ Paul McBride
___ BGCT first vice president
___ Steve Vernon
___ BGCT second vice president
___ Brian Harbour
___ Executive Board chairman
___ John Ogletree
___ Executive Board vice chairman
___ Stephen G. Hatfield
___ Administrative Committee chairman
The Baptist Standard
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