May 27, 2002
Saddest words
___The saddest words I think I have ever read were on the front page of the May 20 issue of the Baptist Standard: "Despite incorrect information circulated statewide by a rival state convention ..." Rival?
___The dictionary says a rival is "one who strives to equal or excel another, or is in pursuit of the same object as another; a competitor."
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___No matter what side of this craziness you are on, each of us needs to remember there is only one competitor, and he is definitely in pursuit of what we want--souls.
___If we are calling each state convention a rival of the other, then Satan is probably excelling in that pursuit.
___ Kyle Smith
___ Pittsburg
'Great Construction'
___In response to all the money spent on building places of worship built by hands, churches must be following "The Great Construction":
___Go into all the world and build gyms, theaters, snack bars, office buildings and parking garages; baptizing them with ground-breakings, ribbon-cuttings and prayer. And, lo, debt will be with you to the end of the earth. In the name of bigger and better. Amen.
___ Stan Granberry
___ Colombes, France
Split inevitable?
___I simply wanted to respond to "Baptist Convention of the Americas? Not yet, but maybe, Reynolds says" (May 6).
___To my disappointment, the cries to split from the Southern Baptist Convention are growing louder and bolder. Herbert Reynolds clearly states his desire to create "a new denominational body" as a "stack pole."
___In the article, Reynolds also says, "Baptists are a conservative people." Only with this do I agree. The fact that we are all conservative Bible believers makes the proposal of a split all the more puzzling.
___Now in the scholastic world, there are major points of disagreement. These disagreements are in many areas. Some of them are about if the Bible has mistakes or not, if God knows the future or not and if Christ's death on the cross truly cleanses us from our sin.
___Most of these scholarly controversies have never created a dispute in the average Southern Baptist Sunday School class.
___Baptists believe the Bible is perfect, God does know the future and Christ's death is God's only way of atonement.
___As unwanted pressure is put on all Texas churches, each will have to choose whether or not to remain Southern Baptist. There is only one thing that can keep a split from occurring--you and your church must get involved in the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting this November in Waco. Nominate a grassroots unity candidate for president. If this is not done, a split will be inevitable.
___ Tim Overton
___ Louisville, Ky.
'Rest of us'
___Paul Powell's letter, "Trustworthy leaders" (April 29), deserves a thoughtful response.
___Webster defines trust as "a firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, etc., of another person."
___Powell's statement begins with "churches are confused" because only "those who recommend the budget are informed" ... and "the rest of us are not. ..." What a condenscending and elitist attitude toward the churches and "the rest of us."
___ "The rest of us" are demonstrating with our cooperative gifts the fact that we are fully informed. (See "Budget shortfall cutting into BGCT ministries" in the same issue.)
___There was a time when leaders could be trusted, when trustees possessed the honesty and integrity to hold in trust for "the rest of us" assets placed in their care, but now support the creation of self-perpetuating boards for "our Baptist universities, child-care institutions or hospitals," removing accountability to the "rest of us."
___Sadly those days are gone in the BGCT, and "the rest of us" realize we have an obligation to become "informed."
___Why would "the rest of us" "trust" the leaders who have changed the approach to the Cooperative Program that "worked well for 77 years"?
___To "keep sending your missions money" and "trust" us is not a present-day reality for "the rest of us." I hope those who have called for his "counsel" will someday learn what "the rest of us" already know.
___ Jim Bolton
___ Dallas
Free worshipper
___Good for Charlotte Greenhaw (May 20). I am with her 100 percent.
___If I were ever asked to sign this piece of nonsense (the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message) in order to be a Baptist, I would no longer call myself a Baptist.
___I have been a free worshipper for 66 years. I intend to worship my way for many more years. I don't need the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the preacher or anyone to tell me how to worship.
___ R.B. Weaver
___ Joshua
Agreement with God
___I am 75 years old and have been a Baptist Christian for 62 years.
___The people who control the SBC seem to think no one else understands their plan. (SBC Executive Committee President) Morris Chapman wrote to all the Texas churches aligned with the BGCT, suggesting an equal monetary split. Doing this was definitely unethical. Christians do not treat anyone in this manner.
___The 1963 Baptist Faith & Message has been a rousing success since then. Herschel Hobbs was one of the first movers, and he involved each president of each state convention. They gave each person time to voice their thoughts.
___I read how the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message transpired. God's word directs us to use compassion in such a manner.
___The SBC decided to examine, approve and ultimately send missionaries to their assigned fields with the understanding that they would not have to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message. Then came the word they would be asked to sign an affirmation of the 2000 BF&M, making the first word to the missionaries a lie. Since the original agreement involved missionaries being sent to various locations to do the work of God, this also was an agreement between the SBC and God himself.
___I call the SBC's attention to Ecclesiastes 5:4: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow."
___ Otho Evans
___ Taft
Church financing
___Recently our church completed a capital campaign. As we searched for financing, we were overwhelmed by all the proposals.
___Through a series of events, I contacted Shawn Powers with the North American Mission Board. He is a church finance consultant. Part of his responsibility is to help churches make wise choices in regard to building loans.
___For us, he acted as a filter with all the loan proposals. With his knowledge and experience, he shared the positives and negatives of competing loans. Since he is paid out of Cooperative Program funds, he is completely objective and will serve your church at no cost.
___I would recommend him if you have questions about church financing. You can contact him at (888) 476-9179 or spowers@namb.net.
___ Scott McKay
___ Lake Jackson
___What do you think? Submit letters for Texas Baptist Forum to the editor via e-mail to marvknox@baptiststandard.com or regular mail at Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267. Letters must be no longer than 250 words. They may be edited to accommodate space.
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