TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Role model of integrity
___This is to express my profound appreciation and admiration for Roger Hall, chief financial officer and treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, who retires March 31.
___Not only is Roger's r
etirement a loss to Texas Baptists; it is a loss to those of us who were his Baptist state convention business officer associates. Roger served me and other state business officers as a confidant, encourager, leader, adviser and, most of all, Christian brother and friend!
___The editor's article on his retirement stated it well, speaking of Roger's integrity. Texas Baptists were blessed with a financial leader who "crossed every 'T' and dotted every 'I' going above and beyond the call of duty" in respect to receiving, recording and disbursing Texas Baptist contributions. His careful and diligent oversight of all financial responsibilities has assured Texas Baptists and Missouri Baptists before that their money was in capable and competent hands.
___In addition, Roger and his beautiful wife, Donna, have exemplified Christ in their daily living and in faithfulness to their local church, both in attendance and leadership.
___Hats off to a dear, precious brother in Christ.
___ Marlin Hawkins
___ Oklahoma City
Unbelievable step
___Why has the International Mission Board put its missionaries on the horns of an unnecessary dilemma? What has happened to the mutual trust between the board, its constituency and its personnel?
___Missionaries should not have to compromise sacred matters of conscience in order to maintain temporal fulfillment of divine calling!
___This is just another unbelievable step toward total creedalism in our supposedly free-church Baptist denomination.
___ Justice Anderson
___ Professor of Missions Emeritus
___ Southwestern Seminary
___ Fort Worth
Two suggestions
___The Baptist Faith & Message mess seems to get more confusing every week. But I wonder about our missionaries who are working with the "heathen" all over the world.
___What difference does it make if they do or do not sign a piece of paper? Will it make them a better missionary? Will they feel guilty if they don't sign and have to come home? Who would take their place?
___I suggest that the group donating the millions put that money in their pocket and pack their bags and go take the place of the missionaries. With a million dollars, they could do a lot of good and wouldn't have to bow down to anyone except God. that's what the missionaries do every day--and without a million dollars!
___Why am I writing this letter? Because I have a son on the mission field who walks an hour to get to some of the little churches he works with. When he was born, my husband and I dedicated him to the Lord to use as he needed. We have supported him in all he does. God called him to the mission field, and God--not a bunch of addle-brained so-called Baptist leaders--will bring him back.
___I suggest we get rid of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message and leave the missionaries alone and let them do what God has called them to do. Pray for them every day, and send them letters of support.
___ Reta Grayson
___ Newton
Real crisis
___The International Mission Board's Larry Cox asserts the BGCT has sought to "manufacture a crisis where none exists" regarding efforts to raise funds for missionaries unable to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message. Having been forced to resign from teaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary since I was unable to sign the new BF&M, I know something about crisis.
___Those unable, for whatever reason, to affirm the 2000 statement face not a manufactured crisis but a genuine one.
___They face the crisis of knowing a sense of betrayal from those who covenanted with them for service on one basis and have now reneged on that covenant. They face the crisis of grief at the prospect of leaving a ministry to which they have felt called but will now either have to leave or betray their own identity and convictions. They face the crisis of uncertainty at what will be next for themselves and their families. They face the crisis of injustice at being held guilty until proven innocent. They face the crisis of shame at being placed in unfair and simplistic categories others have defined for the purpose of exclusion.
___Cox's accusation that the BGCT has manufactured a crisis where none exists is either an attempt to control perceptions or profound insensitivity to the situation that the reversal of policy by the IMB has itself created. Some IMB personnel face a crisis, but it is one manufactured by the IMB itself.
___ Jeph Holloway
___ Marshall
Why they left
___When the Baptist General Convention of Texas gave Southwestern Seminary to the Southern Baptist Convention, the seminary's new charter addressed "control" of the seminary by the SBC, stating the seminary would be subject to routine changes in the "rules and regulations" of the SBC "in all matters not included in the Articles of Faith or permanent laws."
___It stipulated: "Said permanent laws shall not be altered ... except by the following procedure ... a resolution providing for such alteration ... shall be presented to said convention, and shall not be acted on until the next session of said body."
___That charter was legally effective until Aug. 31, 1999, when an amended charter deleting the requirement was filed in the secretary of state's office.
___The revised 1998 Baptist Faith & Message was presented and adopted in the single '98 session of the SBC. The seminary trustees, who act as agents of the SBC, secured faculty signatures to it. The president explained: "We are under the ... control of the SBC" (Oct. 14, 1998).
___The proposed amended charter was presented and approved in the single '99 session of the convention.
___The revised 2000 Baptist Faith & Message was presented and adopted in the single 2000 session of the SBC. The seminary required faculty signatures to it.
___The pursuit of conformity on matters never before required among Southern Baptists cost us some faculty members.
___We will now lose some missionaries, and the people to whom they minister will wonder why they had to leave.
___ Harold Freeman
___ Fort Worth
Understanding why
___Some churches call themselves "Independent Baptists" and will not affiliate with conventions or associations. I never understood why they felt that way. In light of the SBC/BGCT controversy, I'm beginning to understand why.
___ Jeff Hancock
___ Mesquite
On God's side
___John Ashcroft told the National Religious Broadcasters, "God is on America's side" (March 4). I pray he is right.
___I do not know what God's plans are for our nation. However, I do know that I and other individuals should be sure we are on his side.
___ Winona McKay
___ El Paso
Carry Bible
___Through the centuries, many Christians have been killed or persecuted because of their faith. Bibles have been unavailable to many.
___What percentage of people in your church bring a Bible when they attend? Why should it be less than 100 percent?
___ Ross Williamson
___ Palestine
___What do you think? Submit letters for Texas Baptist Forum to marvknox@baptiststandard.com or Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267. Letters must be no longer than 250 words.
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