June 3, 2002

Statement from Steven Armstrong
___Following is a letter written by IMB missionary Steven Armstrong to his regional leader, Gordon Fort, explaining why Armstrong will not sign the affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message.

___Dear Gordon:

___Attached you will find my response to our president's request that all
IMB missionaries sign a statement that we agree with the current Baptist
Faith and Message and will carry out all our responsibilities in
accordance with and not contrary to it. As you know personally, I
respect you and all IMB leaders and your right to ask that I be
accountable for my actions as a SBC missionary. This I have always been
and remain willing to do. But to be asked to be accountable to a
fallible man-made document and for my personal thoughts and beliefs is
another matter.

___ I am being requested to do the unthinkable - to betray my heritage as a
Baptist and sign that I agree with a creed (a statement of faith which
has been made mandatory). This I will not be able to do - not just
because I disagree with some of its contents. I couldn't even sign the
Apostles Creed - not because I disagree with its content, but because
both are secondary man-made documents that do not represent the full
revelation of Scripture nor carry its divine authority. It was for
religious liberty and in opposition to the authority of church and state
rulers over their faith that my Anabaptist forefathers gave their lives
to implement believers baptism and secure for me a free church. I will
not dishonor their lives by pledging allegiance to any document other
than the Scriptures nor to any lord other than my Lord Jesus Christ.

___ As one of Southern Baptist's great missionaries, Lawrence Hardy, used to
say to me in recognition of our Baptist heritage and with great personal
conviction, " We as Baptists have no pope to boss us; no creed to bind
us; only Christ to guide us." Here I stand. I can do no other.

It is my desire to continue to serve the Lord and Southern Baptists
through the IMB. The Lord has not dismissed me from fulfilling my
calling as an international missionary. I hope that openly sharing my
true thoughts and beliefs will be seen as an act of personal integrity
and not defiance or disrespect.

___Serving Christ with you,

___Steven Armstrong

INTRODUCTION

___ I, Steven Armstrong, write this letter in response to the 01/31/02 request of the SBC IMB president that all IMB missionaries sign the statement, "I have read and am in agreement with the current Baptist Faith & Message;" or "If ‘No’ please cite any area of difference;" and to also sign an additional pledge or statement of accountability agreeing to carry out all "responsibilities in accordance with and not contrary to the current Baptist Faith and Message…."

___ My wife and I were appointed as Southern Baptist foreign missionaries in April, 1982. In February of that year we complied with the request to fill out a FMB document called "Sharing of Christian Beliefs" which designated ten areas of belief to be addressed. The instructions read, "We shall appreciate your sharing candidly in these areas. There are no specific words for which the Foreign Mission Board is looking." We wrote in our own words what we believed about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the church, the cooperative work of Southern Baptists, witnessing, ministry gifts, the gospel message, and any other important belief we wanted to share. Included among the ten as number eight was the item, "Are you familiar with the contents of the Baptist Faith and Message? Are you in agreement with this statement? Please cite and explain any area of differences." We both responded that we had read the BF&M and were in agreement with it. Neither of us found any differences to note or explain. How is that different from what is being asked of us now? Now the Baptist Faith & Message has been made an "instrument of doctrinal accountability" (2000 BF&M, p.5). We are no longer allowed to express our faith in our own words – we are asked to agree to the specific wording of the current BF&M. Before the FMB was gaining information to take into consideration with all other factors. Now there is an implied link between full agreement with the current BF&M and acceptance as an IMB missionary. In spite of the fact that we have already been examined for ordination and commissioning and found to be doctrinally sound by local SBC churches of which we have been members and by IMB personnel who examined us, and have served 18 years with the IMB without any personnel problems, we are now going to be judged by whether or not we comply with the request "to pledge affirmation and support for the current BF&M" and submit to it as the standard by which we will now express and judge our faith and practice as SBC missionaries. There is an implied threat of punishment (based on what happened to SBC seminary personnel who lost their positions for not signing when this same demand was made of them) and thus a negative label attached to failure to sign or have any different opinions. The climate seems to be "sign this, or face undisclosed consequences."

___ I write in continuing and deepening grief over the condition of our beloved denomination and in identification with the godly Southern Baptist servants and their families who have already been deeply hurt and unjustly victimized by the denominational politics of "the SBC controversy." My heart is such that I would be equally grieved if so called "moderates" were controlling our convention and implementing measures to identify and exclude so called "fundamentalists" from positions of service and responsibility among us. While holding definite views on the issues, I continue to refuse to take sides with one faction against another faction. I too desire to preserve our conservative doctrinal heritage, but also freedom of conscience, religious liberty and a unified spirit of cooperation and brotherhood in Christ. I still believe there is more that unites us than that divides us and that there are godly Southern Baptist men and women on both sides of "the controversy" into which I am now compelled to actively enter. We need diversity in our body of believers. I believe we as Southern Baptists are in agreement on all the essential doctrines of the Christian faith (re: God, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the gospel message, salvation by grace through faith, the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, the Church, etc.) and that we have a very important role to play in the spread of the gospel by the worldwide Body of Christ. My prayer would be that regardless of what happens to me and my family as a result of openly sharing my opinions, that I might be able to contribute in some way to healing and the desire for reconciliation and unity among all Southern Baptists for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the sake of sharing the gospel message with all people.

___ While I am not able in good conscience to say I am in agreement with all that is included in the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message (especially its use as the standard for judging whether or not SBC missionaries and other denominational servants are carrying out their God-given calling faithfully), I fully respect all of my colleagues who feel that they can sign it in good conscience. I agree with the values that fulfilling our calling as missionaries and reaching the lost of the world are more important than the political issues in our convention. But these values have not released me from being honest about what I see and believe. I cannot maintain personal integrity and quietly act as if this process is acceptable. On the other hand, I do not want what I write to be used in any way that would discourage continuing support of Southern Baptist missionaries. We have been put in an impossible position and have done nothing to cause this situation or anything that deserves any less support. I would also state that I do not blame our IMB president for this situation. He makes it clear that he personally trusts in the faithfulness and doctrinal soundness of our international missionary force and the "thorough doctrinal review of each candidate in the appointment process;" as well as that the present system of "policies and actions provided adequate accountability" for what IMB missionaries teach and practice. According to his letter, the pressure has come from other, unnamed persons who have suspicions "there are IMB personnel whose beliefs and practices are inconsistent with those represented by Southern Baptists;" with the result that "this issue has continued to generate controversy;" and that "signing this affirmation protects you from charges of heresy behind your back while you are overseas and cannot defend yourself."

___ By way of background, I am a Southern Baptist of Southern Baptists as surely as Paul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. (Php 3:5) I was raised in a Southern Baptist home by Southern Baptist parents. My father is a deacon and my mother a Sunday School teacher to this day. I attended Sunday School and Training Union and Sunday morning and evening and Wednesday church services from the time of my birth. As soon as I was old enough I was a part of Royal Ambassadors and church choirs. I was converted at the age of 7 in my local Southern Baptist Church. I was discipled in Southern Baptist churches. I was called by the Lord to be a foreign missionary at the age of 12 at a summer RA camp. After high school I was led to get my college education at a Southern Baptist school.. I began serving on staff at Southern Baptist churches at the age of 18. I married a Southern Baptist wife. I was ordained as a Southern Baptist deacon in my local church. I was later licensed and ordained to the ministry in another Southern Baptist church where I was serving as a full-time staff member. I got my Masters degree from a Southern Baptist seminary. I was appointed with my wife as a career Southern Baptist foreign missionary to serve in Africa. We raised our three daughters on the mission fields of Africa serving our Lord through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. All of our children have graduated from Southern Baptist universities. I recently earned a second Masters degree from a Southern Baptist university. I have also served as a full time staff member at a Southern Baptist university.

___With regard to doctrinal beliefs, I am a conservative Southern Baptist Biblical inerrantist. In days past, I challenged the views of (only) one of my seminary professors in class and before the academic dean for a less than conservative approach to the unity of the Scriptures (not allowing the divine inspiration of New Testament passages in interpreting the meaning of Old Testament passages) and, in my college days, I spoke after class to one of my college professors about a statement he made in class that cast doubt on the inclusion of James in the canon of Scripture. I have no hesitation in referring to the Scriptures as infallible and inerrant. (At the same time, I respect the concerns and choice of those who prefer to use other words that are less ‘politicised’ to affirm the absolute truthfulness and trustworthiness of all of God’s Word.)

DIFFERENCES AND OBJECTIONS TO AN IMPOSED BF&M:

___I find recent actions of the SBC and its agencies in imposing the Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M)
as an instrument of accountability wholly inconsistent with the following widely-held Baptist beliefs:

___ 1. ACCOUNTABILITY DEFINED: accountability in the New Testament had to do with being answerable or responsible for one’s actual behaviors as a believer and as a representative of Christ to the world with restoration as the goal (1Cor.5; 2Cor.2:5ff). Ultimate and primary accountability was to God alone, but believers whose behaviors brought shame to the character of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distorted the true gospel message to the lost world, and/or brought dishonor upon the Body of Christ, the Church, were subject to church discipline by the local church.

___ Accountability cannot extend to an individual’s private thoughts or beliefs without violating his/her religious liberty. Accusations cannot be rightly brought against thoughts or beliefs, but only against actual immoral, unethical, or clearly heretical behaviors (including false teaching). The use of any formulated religious confession or statement of faith as the basis for accountability has no basis in Scripture or Baptist history. It is a historically inaccurate statement to claim "Baptist churches, associations, and general bodies have adopted confessions of faith as …instruments of doctrinal accountability." (2000 BF&M, p.5) "Baptists cherish and defend religious liberty, and deny the right of any secular or religious authority to impose a confession of faith upon a church or a body of churches." (2000 BF&M, p.5)

___ Thus the use of the BF&M as an instrument of accountability is to be rejected.

2. REFORMATION PRINCIPLES

___ SOLA SCRIPTURA – Only the Scriptures themselves are authoritative over the faith and practice of believers. [Affirmed in 2000 BF&M, p.5] No other church document, tradition or decree is to be considered inspired or authoritative or worthy of our allegience as followers of Jesus Christ.

___ Thus the Baptist Faith and Message is to be rejected as authoritative or worthy of our allegiance.

3. BAPTIST HERITAGE

___ NON-CREEDAL – Baptists, historically, do not believe in imposing any particular statement of faith upon its members or in requiring them to agree with such a statement as mandatory to faith or practice.

___ The 2000 BF&M affirms this truth concerning confessions of faith in quoting the 1925 BF&M, "That we do not regard them as complete statements of our faith, having any quality of finality or infallibili-ty….That the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience…. That they are statements of religious convictions, drawn from the Scriptures, and are not to be used to hamper freedom of thought…." (p.5) "Such statements have never been regarded as complete, infallible statements of faith, nor as official creeds carrying mandatory authority" (1963 BF&M, p.5)

___Thus the Baptist Faith and Message is to be rejected as an instrument of accountability and as an official creed for all Southern Baptists.

___ NO CHURCH HIERARCHY, CHURCH DECREE OR CHURCH TRADITION AUTHORITY – Baptists do not recognize the authority of church councils, church organizations, church leaders, or church traditions over their faith and practice in following Christ and obeying the Scriptures. [It was Protestant Reformation church leaders that had early Anabaptists put to death for implementing believers baptism among themselves according to their own (correct) interpretation of the Scriptures contrary to that of the existing church hierarchy and without their permission.]

___ Thus neither the actions of the SBC in annual session nor that of its committees have authority over the faith and practice of Southern Baptists.

___ STATEMENTS/CONFESSIONS OF FAITH HAVE NO AUTHORITY– Baptists throughout history have very carefully limited the usage and purpose of their statements of faith to educational usages and "only guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience." (2000 BF&M, p.5) "That they constitute a consensus of opinion of some Baptist body, large or small, for the general instruction and guidance of our own people and others…." (2000 BF&M, p.4) Our forefathers knew the line between a statement of faith and a creed is very thin indeed - the only difference being in usage - the latter is enforced as an authoritative statement which must be adhered to by all concerned.

___ Thus the use of the Baptist Faith and Message as an instrument of accountability is to be rejected as contrary to long established Baptist beliefs and statements of the Baptist Faith and Message itself.

___VOLUNTARY ALIGNMENT & COOPERATION WITH ORGANIZED ASSOCIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS OF LIKE-MINDED CHURCHES – the historical purpose of Baptist churches cooperating with one another has been to combine efforts for more effective mission, evangelistic, benevolent and educational ministries. This has been in a spirit of inclusion of various Baptist churches and their members who may differ on lesser, disputable matters that do not alter the essential message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

___ Thus the demand that all Southern Baptist workers agree with the wording of the 2000 BF&M or be excluded from any position of service connected with the SBC is to be rejected.

___ [OF NOTE: The local church does not need to be a part of any collective body to carry out its God-given mission in the world. If it voluntarily choses to do so, such associations and conventions have authority only to grant fellowship to or withhold fellowship from a local church and its members. Those to whom fellowship is granted are entitled (and gifted by God as the members of His Body) to full participation and representation on the committees, agencies, boards and institutions of said body without prejudice.]

___ CHRIST ALONE IS THE HEAD AND LORD OF THE CHURCH – believers owe allegiance to Jesus Christ alone as their Lord individually and collectively as the Body of Christ - while being commanded by our Lord to relate to each other in the equality of love, building up one another, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, refraining from judging each other and being careful not to cause any fellow believer to stumble in their faith in Christ.

___ Thus the call to pledge our allegiance to follow the current Baptist Faith and Message is to be rejected.

4. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE

___ "God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men…. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind." (2000 BF&M, p.20) How much less does our denomination have the right to impose penalties on those faithful among us who differ in their religious opinions on matters not essential to the gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ?

___ In my opinion, it is an act of religious oppression for a Southern Baptist to be punished for differences of conscience or of religious opinion with the BF&M.

5. PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER AND SOUL COMPETENCY – every believer has direct contact with God through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit and is thus able to represent God to mankind and mankind to God through a life of obedience to God’s Word led by the Spirit. Every believer thus has the ability to interpret the Word of God by the Spirit of God within him/her and arrive at his/her own statement of faith based on the Scriptures. The New Testament was written to common men and women of faith in everyday Koine Greek, not to intellectuals or highly educated theologians in high Classical Greek.

___ The Baptist Faith and Message itself affirms "That any group of Baptists, large or small, have the inherent right to draw up for themselves and publish to the world a confession of their faith whenever they may think it advisable to do so." (2000 BF&M, p.5)

___ Thus the imposition of the current Baptist Faith and Message as a statement to which all Southern Baptists must agree or be excluded as unsuitable for service is to be rejected.

6. SUPREMACY OF CHRIST

___ God’s supreme revelation of Himself to mankind is Jesus Christ the Son of God, God incarnate, to whom has been given the name above every name. "Baptists are a people who profess a living faith…grounded in Jesus Christ…Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures." (BF&M 1963, p.5) He is the embodiment of Truth, the source of Truth and the fulfillment of Truth as revealed in the Scriptures.

___ The exclusion of this principle from the 2000 BF&M is a departure from historical Baptist ideals.

7. THE SCRIPTURES

___ All Scriptures are inspired by God – God-breathed – and thus are Truth without any mixture of error, presenting a unified, perfect message of God’s Word for mankind. When correctly interpreted Scriptural teachings will not disagree at any point with the character, lifestyle or teachings of Jesus (as revealed in the Scriptures). "The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ." (1963 BF&M,p.7) [This does not mean that Scriptures can be interpreted by one’s subjective personal experience of Jesus.]

___ Why should the 2000 BF&M separate or exclude the Truth of the Living Word of God from the Truth of the Written Word of God? Both Jesus and the Scriptures are the Word of God revealed to mankind. They agree at all points.

___ ORTHODOXY - OBEDIENCE TO THE SCRIPTURES

___ Orthodoxy primarily involves humble obedience to the Scriptures, not correct theories or statements about the Scriptures. The Pharisees correctly taught the Scriptures but were soundly condemned by Jesus for failing to humble themselves before God to submit their conduct to the teachings of the Scriptures – in particular, failing to practice justice (condemning the innocent unjustly), failing to show mercy toward others, and failing to live humble, obedient lives. (Mt 12:7; 23:3,23)

___ Current efforts within the SBC to identify as orthodox only those who are in agreement with the latest version of the BF&M is a form of church legalism and religious oppression that has nothing to do with true spirituality as taught and modeled by our Lord.

___ Thus the use of agreement with the current BF&M as a standard for orthodoxy is to be rejected.

8. UNITY/ONENESS/FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS – Our Lord Jesus, only moments before He was betrayed into the hands of evil men, chose to interceed primarily for the oneness and complete unity of his followers "so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." The Scriptures command that believers "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph 4:2-3) God says He hates as detestable anyone who "stirs up dissension among brothers" (Pr 6:19). The New Testament identifies "dissensions and factions" as obvious acts of the sinful nature. (Gal.5:20)

___ Anyone can press differences of opinion with another person or group to the point of breaking fellowship. Efforts within the SBC to make every Baptist take one side or another against fellow believers is an obvious act of the sinful nature inspired by our real adversary, the devil, to divide us. As Jesus affirmed, a house divided against itself cannot stand. The SBC will prove no exception.

___Thus the current efforts to use the BF&M to draw all SBC missionaries (and other denominational servants) into taking sides in denominational politics are shameful and to be rejected. [Denominational politics are themselves shameful and contrary to these and other teachings of God’s Word.]

9. LOVE/TRUST/MERCY AMONG BELIEVERS – Again on the night Jesus was to be betrayed, He chose to give one "new" commandment to His followers, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:34-35) This is the law of Christ. [I cannot know or judge motives, but I choose to believe ‘the SBC controversy’ is not malicious in intent, but sadly mistaken in attitudes and methods.]

___ "Welcome all the Lord’s followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don’t criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours." (Rm 14:1 CEV) "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters….Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way….So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." (Rm 14:1,13, 22 NIV)

___ Phillip Malangthen, mentor of Martin Luther, summarized the teaching of Scriptures on this topic:
___ "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity."

___ The SBC controversy has been devoid of any display of love, liberty, or respect among believers who disagree on non-essentials in our denomination and has brought the reputation of our denomination and our Lord into disrepute in the community at large, giving unbelievers cause to speak against the name of our Lord, and members cause to be ashamed to be identified as Southern Baptists.

___ Thus the use of the BF&M as a means of labeling, judging, or dividing us is to be rejected.

10. WITNESS/TESTIMONY TO A LOST WORLD – Our primary reason for being on this earth after becoming a believer is to witness to the lost of the world concerning the gospel. Our recent SBC actions do not promote this cause, but rather detract from it by promoting a different cause.

___ Thus the use of the BF&M as an instrument of ‘searching for heretics’ among us is to be rejected.

11. THE FAMILY (2000 BF&M, p.21) – Conspicuous by its absence are any affirmations of wives in roles of leadership in the home or outside of the home. The husband is said to have "the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family." Scripturally these cannot be said to be his roles exclusively since the Proverbs 31 description of "a wife of noble character" includes ways in which the wife provides for her family, protects her family and takes her own initiatives in business ventures, economic decisions, and community activities in and out of the home.

___ Where in this article is the sense of a redeemed relationship - partners in life, decision-making, and mutual admiration and respect? The tone of this article seems to reinforce the traditional cultural idea that men are to do all the assertive leading and decision-making and wives are to do all the non-assertive following and serving. What here discourages husbands from ‘lording it over’ their wives?

___ The purpose of this BF&M revision was "to address the ‘certain needs’ of our own generation" (2000 BF&M, p.6), but the issue of authoritarian male domination in marriage and family relationships and condemnation of the various forms of abuse of the ‘weaker sex’ and children in our generation is left unaddressed in this article. It does not confront the issue of the many religious men of our generation who still believe it is their right as husbands to force their wishes upon their wives and demand their wives’ submission to them. Where are these Scriptural reminders…? "Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them" (Col.3:19); "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ep.5:21); and "Husbands…be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life…" (1 Pt.3:7); "There is neither… male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal.3:28); "Fathers do not exasperate your children… Fathers, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged" (Ep.6:4; Col.3:21).

___ Thus I find the BF&M article on the family to be unbalanced and incomplete.

12. PERSONAL GRIEF, GRIEVANCES AND QUESTIONS:

___ How does the revision of the BF&M suddenly make all SBC workers suspect of heresy and force them to defend the faithfulness of their Biblical beliefs and loyalty to Southern Baptists?

___ If this action is to be the precedent, will not this process have to be repeated every time there is another revision of the BF&M?

___ Recent actions in the SBC and its committees have served to make all SBC workers suspect without regard to whether or not they have lived lives of service in integrity, held to and taught without compromise Scriptural beliefs, or to how well their record of service to our Lord and Southern Baptists may commend them. The willingness to discount all of the above is a betrayal of the trust relationship that has existed between the SBC and its missionaries (and other denominational servants).

___ If the question really is about what SBC missionaries believe, why are their own carefully written statements of their personal beliefs not the best evidence available and sufficient to answer these questions? (The only true statement of one’s faith is a voluntary one in my opinion.)

___ If the question really is about whether or not SBC missionaries are carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with and not contrary to the Baptist Faith and Message, why are their personnel files regarding their many years of service not the best information source and sufficient to answer such questions? If this is insufficient, why is not the testimony of their co-workers a more reliable source?

___ Does it make any sense to try to identify ‘heretics’ by trusting in their signature on a prescribed statement about whether or not they agree with and will act in keeping with the current BF&M?
___ Does this measure one’s theology or only one’s willingness to comply with the demand?
___ Is this the way we are instructed to identify heretics in the Scriptures?

___ If the real question is whether or not missionaries support the ‘conservative resurgence’ movement in the SBC and the current SBC leadership, is it a spiritually or denominationally beneficial exercise to force all missionaries to take sides and be drawn into the middle of the longstanding SBC conflict?
___ How is this going to benefit the cause of Christ in the USA and the rest of the world?

___ How does this exercise differ in kind from Daniel’s enemies trying to create a reason to accuse him where no reason previously existed?

___ How many more hearts, families, lives and baptist bodies will have to be broken before we stop?

My grief for our convention began in 1979 and has continued to grow over these years. It has centered on the politicizing and polarization of our fellowship of believers and the systematic exclusion from positions of responsibility and service of all who refuse to join the so called ‘conservative resurgence’ movement among us. The disruption of these lives and families has been heartless and shameful.

___ Will we ever return to the days when messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention (and state conventions and local associations) come to meetings to fellowship with all their Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ and to individually seek to know the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the impact on the spread of the gospel and the Kingdom of God, for every issue presented – and vote according to their own personal convictions? What a day, glorious day that would be!

13. BAPTIST CHURCH POLITY

___ LOCAL CHURCHES ARE FREE AND AUTONOMOUS – neither the SBC in annual session nor any of its committees, state conventions nor local associations have authority over the faith or practice of any SBC church or any of its members.

___ Thus any attempts by bodies other than the local church to judge any of its members as heretical in faith or practice is to be rejected as usurping the authority and autonomy of the local church.

___ LOCAL CHURCHES HAVE NO HIGHER CHURCH BODIES TO WHOM THEY ANSWER –
___ The local church holds authority over its own faith and practice and the recognition of the calling, and the ordination of their own members and their discipline, should such become necessary.

___ Recent efforts within the SBC have unashamedly sought to identify and exclude from all positions of responsibility or service in the SBC, churches and their members who disagree at any point with the latest version of the BF&M or with the agenda or methods of the "conservative resurgence" cause. These actions have usurped the authority of the local SBC church in commending and ordaining certain of its members as "called by God" and "theologically sound" to serve within SBC committees, agencies, institutions and boards. These actions have also usurped the role of the local church in dealing with (disciplining) members believed to be errant in their faith and practice as believers. The local church has the right and responsibility to examine and determine the validity of such charges against one of its members and impose appropriate discipline to restore such a one to the faith, if at all possible.

___ CHURCH DISCIPLINE (FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING RESTORATION) BELONGS TO THE LOCAL CHURCH FOR DEVIATIONS FROM SOUND TEACHING OR UNGODLY LIVING BY ANY OF ITS MEMBERS – the writings of the New Testament indicate that discipline of any members who stray from the faith is referred to the local church of which they are members. There exits no authority in denominational bodies or their officials to conduct "heresy hunts" among the members of our denomination. Recent actions in the SBC have served to make all SBC workers suspect without regard to whether or not they have lived out their lives in integrity, held to and taught without compromise Scriptural beliefs or how well their record of faithful service to our Lord and Southern Baptists may commend them.

___ Like Daniel, those against whom no charge can be found are now placed in the position of being accused and victimized due to their determined integrity in following their Lord and His Word without compromise of their consciences. (Dan 6:4-5)



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