BGCT SHOULD PRACTICE STRICT NEUTRALITY The passage of the Cooperative Missions Giving Committee report means that the BGCT staff should practice strict neutrality in regards to all Southern Baptist causes beyond Texas. The BGCT is not a “farm team” of any Baptist organization. According to Baptist polity, local churches support and join conventions. State conventions do not join or support national conventions. The BGCT is an autonomous state convention. Local churches will decide to whom and how they will relate on a national level. Cooperative Program promotion should either not mention any cause beyond Texas or treat all causes the same. The Cooperative Program includes all Baptist causes chosen by the local church whether they be SBC, CBF, individual institutions, etc. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter offering should not be promoted without promoting the CBF Global Missions offering. Fairness and Baptist polity demand neutrality and autonomy. |