OVERREACTION UNNECESSARY: WHY PUNISH THE BGCT?

There has been a great deal of talk about churches bypassing the BGCT and supporting the SBC directly. The Executive Board of one association has gone so far as to vote to encourage local churches to “consider designating a sizable portion of their Cooperative Program Missions giving through the Southern Baptist Executive Committee for Southern Baptist Causes” and “to recommend that the Texas Conservative Baptist Fellowship be included in their mission giving.”

Miles Seaborn, pastor, Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth, and one of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees who voted to fire Russell Dilday, said that he would lead the Texas Conservative Baptist Fellowship to develop strategies allowing churches to send all or most of their missions money to the Southern Baptist Convention rather than the BGCT.

O.S. Hawkins, pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas promised a “drastic” change in the way First Dallas funds the BGCT, one that will send more money to the national level.

There is no reason for these punitive attitudes and actions.

First, examine once again what Texas Baptists voted. They did nothing punitive against the SBC. They instructed no local church on who they could support. They did none of the things done by the SBC in terms of telling local churches how to send money.

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Second, what Texas Baptists voted was to count all local church gifts to Baptist causes in the same manner. No one who voted against the Cooperative Missions Giving Committee recommendations was affected in any way.

It may mean that some causes that fundamentalists support might receive less money. It might not! That decision is up to local churches. If that is the result, do not blame the BGCT. The staff of the BGCT has changed nothing. The programs are the same. Do not blame the BGCT!

Apply the principle of Soul Freedom to giving. We believe persons must be free to accept or reject Christ without coercion. Grant that same right and principle to churches.

Unlike the SBC, the BGCT staff or messengers to the annual meeting have done nothing to exclude any Texas Baptist. Texas Baptists have never voted to do anything punitive to fundamentalists in our state or in the SBC.

Focus on the mission. If Texas Baptists ever put forth ideas or programs that are unfair, punitive, or mean spirited, we at TBC promise to be the first to cry “foul” and try and stop such movements.

Please do not overact in a punitive manner because others have been granted equal respect. After all, we are Baptists and local churches are free. Work to earn the support of Texas Baptists. You are free to solicit support for your cause. We will stand firm if you seek to control.

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