April 7, 2003
Missouri WMU could lose CP funding
___JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.--The head of the Missouri Baptist Convention has threatened to cut off funding for the state's Woman's Missionary Union if the women don't vow exclusive loyalty to the convention.
___Missouri WMU has been caught in a tug-of-war between the state's Baptist factions.
___In the past couple of years, the Missouri Baptist Convention came under control of fundamentalists, who want to work closely with the fundamentalist-controlled Southern Baptist Convention. Consequently, a group of moderates split to form the Baptist General Convention of Missouri.
___Now, Missouri WMU must change its bylaws to ensure exclusive loyalty to the Missouri Baptist Convention or face losing Cooperative Program funding, MBC Executive Director David Clippard told a group of pastors.
___The convention wants "a closer relationship" to WMU, Clippard said, claiming WMU's decision to become a non-profit organization indicates it is moving away from the convention.
___At issue is a line in the organization's bylaws that states WMU's ministry will include, but is not limited to, the Missouri Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention, Clippard said. When he asked WMU leaders "what they mean by
"We can't put Cooperative Program dollars into a ministry that puts money into other Baptist entities."
___--Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director David Clippard |
'Baptist,'" their response was "all Baptists," he added.
___"We can't put Cooperative Program dollars into a ministry that puts money into other Baptist entities," he said. He added that under convention bylaws, CP funds could not be given to entities whose boards are not elected by the MBC.
___Clippard outlined possible consequences in a letter to WMU board members. He gave the organization two options to avoid funding loss--either eliminate the non-profit status or allow the convention to elect board members.
___WMU President Debbie Miller and five WMU board members recently met with Clippard and three MBC leaders to discuss WMU's status.
___WMU remains committed to serving all Missouri Baptists, Miller said. "These words describe the Baptist churches in Missouri that have WMU--small, large, urban, rural, small town, growing, static, declining, those who are supportive of the direction of the Missouri Baptist Convention, those who have questions and are waiting to see what happens, those who have become part of the Baptist General Convention of Missouri and those who are affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. We have come together ... without regard to these descriptors .... We have set aside our differences for a higher calling 'that all may know him.'"
___WMU incorporated because it was not mentioned in convention documents that describe relationships with other convention organizations, Miller said. She noted no questions were raised when WMU presented incorporation to the MBC Executive Board in July 2001.
___Cooperative Program allocations fund WMU programming, including annual meeting, girls' retreats, special workers and other functions. Budgeted with CP funds at $70,000 for 2002, WMU spent $58,804. The organization is budgeted at $60,000 this year.
___The budget does not include salary and benefits for a full-time worker. Kathy Scott, who lost her job in the convention's recent staff reduction, had served full time for 17 years.
___WMU relies on two offerings to fund special projects. The Madge Truex Fund provides money for gifts for missionaries and their children, scholarships and other projects. The Alberta Gilpin Fund supports ministry projects and covers some operating expenses.
___Reported by Vicki Brown, Missouri Word & Way
___
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