How do we move on?
By David R. Currie,
Executive Director

I hope you notice a subtle change in this newsletter. We have tried to make it more positive in content, talk more about the future and less about the Southern Baptist Convention.

You will read very few articles about the recent SBC meeting in New Orleans.  Yes, it was the same old stuff. We address it in a few articles, but not in depth.

In fact, we are not even addressing the lies and guilt-by-association by Roger Moran, still circulating around the country. I may address it in the future. However, it is my opinion that anyone who believes that junk is too emotionally and spiritually unhealthy for anything I say or Jesus says to change them.

I have come to a conclusion that might surprise you. I do not think it accomplishes much to tell you how unBaptist, how theologically unsound and how mean-spirited the present SBC is. After 22 years, you know that. Yet, that has not moved you on into the future.

This Baptist mess has been going on more than 20 years. I am tired of it. You are tired of it. Now some of you have been true friends in the battle, coming to the convention year after year, faithfully supporting TBC financially and prayerfully, and I thank you. You have hung tough and you need to continue to hang tough. You are the reason the BGCT is free. You are the reason there is still hope for a true, traditional, Christ-focused, Southern Baptist movement in the 21st century. You are heroes to me.

Nevertheless, you are tired of it too. Many of you, our strongest supporters, have written recently asking how much longer this is going to go on.

Others of you have never taken a side, yet, you also are tired of it. You have never wanted any part of it. You just want to pastor or serve in your church and want to reach people for Christ. If you are a pastor, you tell yourself, "I did not respond to God's call to fight this battle." I understand those feelings. I understand that many of you do not like the SBC but you do not like me much either. You just want it to go away.

One thing you do need to realize is the fundamentalists are not tired of it and will never get tired of it.  Many churches are now in turmoil because of fundamentalism. Fundamentalists like to fight. Read the history of fundamentalism. Fighting is how they feel they are doing God's will and rooting out heresy.

So for all of us who want this over, how do we move on?

You may not like this answer but this is the best one I can give you.

It will be over when you decide it is over. We will move on beyond this when you decide to move on.

You see, we are stuck here now, more than any other reason, because people do not want to decide what to do.

We are two different denominations and have been since 1990, yet we remain related because you want it that way. The revision of the Baptist Faith and Message in 2000 solidified the total and complete change in the SBC from its historical roots. The use of the 2000 BF&M as an "instrument of doctrinal accountability" solidifies that creedalism is a modus operandi of the new SBC.

Texas Baptists endorsed the 1963 BF&M, although not as any instrument of doctrinal accountability. Most of us are comfortable with the statement.  That means we have a vastly different viewpoint on the gospel and Baptist principles than the SBC.

Yet most still do not want to move apart, despite the irreconcilable differences. I understand that feeling but it is keeping us from moving forward.

The SBC is fundamentalist. The BGCT is traditional. The SBC wants you to support the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. If not, they, at least, want you to keep supporting the SBC.

The BGCT wants to move forward yet is afraid to because so many of you still support the SBC. They do not want to lose your support either.

You do not want to decide--nevertheless--you ultimately must if this is ever going to end. Once they formed the SBTC, they put every church in the position of having to choose. The fundamentalists have forced this on everyone.

I would love reconciliation, however, it will not happen. The SBC will never compromise. You sign the 2000 BF&M or you cannot serve. You do not belong. As they have said. It is nonnegotiable.

Most traditional Baptists will not sign it. That is a nonnegotiable matter of conscience. So, you must decide, "which are you?" When you decide, this will be over and both groups can go on in peace following God as they understand him and his leadership. Fundamentalists will keep on attacking because that is their style.

I am ready to move on. Are you? Until you decide, the battle will continue for years and years and years. Only you can put this period behind us. Whatever you decide, you have my respect, but decide. The kingdom is suffering.

I suggest you invite someone from the BGCT to speak to your church. Hear the truth, then decide. If you do not want to support the BGCT, go in peace.

If you do support the BGCT, then get behind its ministries strongly and encourage them to expand. We have more lost people in this state than the population of most states combined. We can carry out massive new worldwide mission programs partnering with others who have stayed historically Baptist.

If you know you want to support the BGCT and need materials from us, please contact us. We will help you anyway we can. Do not avoid this situation or soon, fundamentalism will reach your church and tear it apart.

Decide so we can move on. Jesus is calling us to put this behind us.

  August 2001