State Missions Commission takes another try at NAMB agreement

January 27, 2003

State Missions Commission takes another try at NAMB agreement
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--A revised cooperative agreement between the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board has been approved by the BGCT's State Missions Commission.
___The new language, which includes a disclaimer that the BGCT does not endorse the SBC's 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement, will be considered next by the BGCT Administrative Committee and Executive Board.
___If approved there, the agreement will be sent back to NAMB for final approval.
___The Jan. 21 action by the State Missions Commission represents the third change in wording of the document that outlines the relationship of the BGCT and NAMB in joint missions work.
___The agreement indicates that "jointly supported personnel shall conform to procedures and requirements of both entities."
___The draft originally presented to the BGCT included a statement that "these personnel shall comply with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000."
___That one line drew criticism from the BGCT's Executive Board at its September 2002 meeting. Executive Board members argued that sentence was unnecessary because the paragraph indicated jointly supported personnel would have to meet the standards of both groups. Several members voiced concern that the sentence would imply that the BGCT endorses the controversial faith confession.
___After initially indicating willingness only to sign the original version of the agreement, NAMB leaders revised the contract in October, adding a parenthetical phrase instead of the contested sentence: "This includes NAMB's requirement for these personnel to conform to the Baptist Faith & Message 2000."
___NAMB's revision retained the sentence that indicates jointly funded personnel must conform to the "procedures and requirements of both entities."
___Still, several members of the State Missions Commission worried that the appearance of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message in the agreement could indicate to some that the BGCT supports the faith statement adopted by the SBC but twice rejected by messengers to BGCT annual sessions.
___At this point, a proposal was made to insert a statement directly above where BGCT would sign the cooperative agreement. Rather than reading "approved," the line above the signatures would read, "Approved with the understanding that this indicates neither affirmation nor endorsement of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000."
___"The North American Mission Board feels they must put into the statement a qualifier clarifying that anyone being presented for appointment must conform to the Baptist Faith & Message 2000," said E.B. Brooks, director of church missions and evangelism for the BGCT. "We feel like we must add a qualifying statement as well."
___Brooks said he believes the agreement represents a clear picture of the beliefs of each group and is a step away from the political controversy that has plagued Southern Baptist life for more than 20 years.
___"I think this is a fair thing," he said. "I think we are acting in the best interest of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the North American Mission Board because we do want to have an agreement with them. We are interested in moving past the controversy under the leadership of our executive director. I think the State Missions Commission took a strong step in that direction today."
___Missions personnel funded for work in Texas through the BGCT do not have to be jointly appointed with NAMB, although some are. If church starters, for example, desire to be jointly appointed through NAMB, they may be. Or they may choose not to be affiliated with NAMB.
___Currently, 17 people working through the BGCT are appointed or at least partially funded by NAMB. The mission board sends about $144,000 a year to support these personnel, most of whom have health and life insurance through NAMB.
___Although there is no timetable to finalize the cooperative agreement, Brooks believes it is important to sign the document soon.
___"It is very urgent in that we do a great deal of cooperative ministry with them," he said. "The funding retained in Texas to do mission work is contingent on our agreement with them. Our churches strongly support the North American Mission Board. Our staff relates to the programs and staff of the North American Mission Board."
___

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