BGCT institutions make a difference
___By Ken Hall
___"Institution." It is a word we have avoided using. It sounds cold; so impersonal. The word connotes buildings and traditions; some may even equate the word to a person being "institutionalized."
___Yet the dictionary defines "institution" as "a significant practice, relationship or organization in a society or culture."
___Baptists in Texas have 23 of these "significant organizations." They are hospitals, universities, childcare agencies and ministries for the aging. Our Baptist General Convention of Texas institutions are significant because of the direct impact they have on the lives of people.
___In recent days, Morris Chapman, president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, has encouraged Texas Baptists to limit their giving to the BGCT Cooperative Program. This unprecedented and unconscionable action by SBC leaders is a direct assault on the ministries of our BGCT institutions. Contrary to a popular misunderstanding, the SBC does not provide any funding for these BGCT institutions. Moreover, support chann
| It is at the point where missions and ministries intersect that our BGCT institutions are significant organizations for the kingdom of Christ. |
eled to the work of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention also completely bypasses our institutional ministries that for generations have offered hope and healing to the lost and suffering.
___Dr. Chapman states in his recent appeal to churches that "the SBC has not yet had to reallocate any resources" due to the actions of the BGCT. The same cannot be said of our BGCT ministries. Reduced giving to the BGCT Cooperative Program brought on by the actions of the SBC is costing our state ministries hundreds of thousands of dollars. We are having to reallocate our resources because of the political actions of Dr. Chapman and other SBC leaders.
___Please understand that it does not have to be "either/or" as Dr. Chapman and the SBC leaders would have you believe. You can continue to support SBC causes if you wish while at the same time supporting our BGCT institutions. We have a method to do so. We call it the Cooperative Program.
___You should know, Texas Baptists, that you are making a difference through our BGCT institutions. Each year, Texas Baptist institutions see hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people make professions of faith in Jesus Christ. And many more hear the gospel story from hundreds of volunteers who travel the world in the name of Christ.
___You may never have stopped to read the incredible statistics from our Baptist hospitals, which combined cared for 1.8 million people last year. That is nearly 9 percent of the entire Texas population.
___And the numbers go on and on. Each year, more than 75,000 children and families are touched by our BGCT childcare agencies. More than 5,000 senior adults and their families know someone cares about them because of our senior care ministries.
___Perhaps the greatest strength of Texas Baptists for more than 150 years has been our commitment to quality higher education through our eight universities, two graduate schools of theology and Hispanic Baptist Theological School. The domino effect of these schools is immeasurable. This year, more than 34,000 students at our BGCT-related universities receive education and training in the context of a Christian environment. More than 3,000 of these students are preparing for ministry. As all the students graduate and go forward, their impact on our world is exponential. They become ministers, doctors, social workers, lawyers; they represent people from every corner of our society. Our Baptist universities are incubators where young minds and hearts are shaped for eternity.
___But before you are overwhelmed with the statistics and numbers, remember that our BGCT institutions are ministries. Each number represents a precious soul--someone special to God. When you think about it like that, then you realize our "institutions" are really missions agencies.
___It is at the point where missions and ministries intersect that our BGCT institutions are significant organizations for the kingdom of Christ. We are doing missions. Please remember that the next time someone asks you or your church to reduce your gifts to our state convention.
___Ken Hall is president of Buckner Baptist Benvolences in Dallas
___Editor's Note: This column has circulated among presidents of the BGCT institutions and at press time was endorsed by Joel Allison, Baylor Health Care System; Jerry Bawcom, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; Jerry Bradley, Texas Baptist Children's Home and Family Services; Gary Cook, Dallas Baptist University; Kevin Dinnin, Baptist Child and Family Services; Jerry Haag, South Texas Children's Home; Tim Holloway, Baptist Community Services; Wayne Merrill, Baptist Memorials Ministries; Albert Reyes, Hispanic Baptist Theological School; Vic Schmidt, San Marcos Baptist Academy; Robert Sloan, Baylor University; Mike Waters, Hendrick Health System.
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
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