CO-CHAIR THOUGHTS FROM MAURIECE JOHNSTON
Texas is a Strong State!

1. The BGCT is strong in supporting missions!

Last year Texas Baptists gave the SBC Foreign Mission Board $10.4 million through the Cooperative Program. We gave an additional $13.5 million to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Last year Texas Baptists gave the SBC Home Mission Board $4.1 million through the Cooperative Program and gave an additional $5.5 million to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.

Last year Texas Baptists gave $2.2 million to the mission efforts of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship $4.7 million to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for State Missions.

That makes a total of $40.4 million to the Foreign Mission Board, the Home Mission Board, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,and State Missions in 1994. That is strong missions giving in my opinion.

And in 1995, gifts to the SBC and CBF are up significantly. Texas Baptists are still giving.

2. The BGCT is strong regarding Baptist polity! Texas Baptists are “strong” Baptists. We understand and practice Baptist polity.

We have not given control of our leadership to a political group. We respect the choices of our local churches and individual Baptists. We understand and practice “local church autonomy” and the “priesthood of all believers.” We honor these Baptist distinctive in several ways.

-Our state convention does not tell a local church how to give its money or where to give its money. We count all gifts to Baptist causes as Cooperative Program gifts.

-We allow churches to designate away from SBC or BGCT causes and still count gifts as CP gifts. In doing so, we are respecting both sides of the SBC controversy.

-Our universities do not instruct their professors regarding what is the “proper and correct” interpretation of a scripture. We allow teachers to teach.

-Our state convention leadership does not have to pass a “litmus test” on their social and political views in order to be hired.

-We still advocate the strict separation of Church and State and hold religious liberty in high esteem. Our Christian Life Commission avoids partisan politics and identification with political parties and seeks to “speak to Texas Baptists,” not for Texas Baptists.

-Our BGCT Executive Board does not endorse candidates for public office or support or oppose appointments made by the Governor of Texas.

-We have not fired any university presidents, Baptist press representatives, or or other denominational leaders.

-We have not encouraged Texas Baptists to support everything we do or leave the BGCT if they do not. In fact, we have tried to accommodate the various perspectives of local churches and individuals.

-We operate as an autonomous, independent state convention of autonomous, independent local churches. How much more Baptist can that be?

The fact is the Baptist General Convention of Texas is a strong state convention that has remained focused on the “mission of Texas Baptists.” I am committed to using my influence to encourage Texas Baptists to stay strong and focused. I hope you will join me.

August/September 1995