OUT OF CONFUSION AND CHAOS CAN COME GROWTH

The last fifteen years have been painful for informed, traditional Baptists. We sincerely doubt that any Texas Baptists Committed supporter wishes there was a need for this organization to exist. The fact is we wish this controversy had never started in 1979.

But it did. It has happened. It is real. The question now is “What can God do with what we have done?”

The fact is a crisis in a family, business, government, local church, denomination, or whatever, can be very healthy. For example, often a financial crisis in a business can lead to restructuring, cutting out waste, and increased effectiveness. The company can come out stronger in the long run because of the crisis.

Hopefully the same can occur for Texas Baptists. The takeover of the SBC may be forcing Texas Baptists to examine our relationships, our programs, our goals, and thus produce a more Baptist approach to ministry.

We need to take advantage of the opportunity before us to move forward. Let us hold on to what is good in the past (certainly our historic principles and practices), let go of what no longer works, and follow God into a glorious new future.

As Texas Baptists we need to ask the right question. The question that should be before us is Where is God leading Texas Baptists in missions and evangelism? We must not ask who we can control, who we can punish, or who we can retaliate against. We must ask where God is leading us. Please join us in praying this prayer.