CO-CHAIR THOUGHTS FROM DEAN DICKENS
Things Are Not Normal

Folks often go to great lengths to pretend that everything is “well,” “good,” “couldn’t be better,” or “normal.” In an article from a Kentucky newspaper several years ago, a Japanese soldier who had defended Osaka, Japan, told of the lengths his fellow soldiers went for appearances. He noted that the antiaircraft guns in the area did not have sufficient ammunition for defense. Rather than acknowledge the problem and be criticized for not adequately defending the people, they simply fired blank shells. He admitted that even when they were fired their few “live” shells they were aware they couldn’t reach the height of the B-29 bombers — but they stayed out there in the open risking their lives in order to give the appearance of an adequate defense.

Most of us recognize that the SBC long ago passed the point where things even appeared to be “normal.” Anyone who thinks that the reorganization committee report was fine and “normal” — even though they had not the courtesy to inform the affected denominational leaders — has a different view of “normal” than I do. It is amazing how many churches still want to relate to that entity as if things were okay. The appearance of being normal causes us to do strange things. Yet, a part of the traditional strength of Baptists is recognizing that folks have the privilege of doing just that. In fact, the Amarillo convention’s decision to allow this freedom in a Cooperative Giving motion underscored the right of church folks to give to and through whom God led them.

It is interesting, however, that examples and suggestions as to how Texas churches might utilize the spirit of the Cooperative Giving action have not been reflected to Texas churches at all. I wonder if we are not reflecting the same spirit of the SBC by simply acting as if everything is “normal.”

Well, things are not normal. Several churches, utilizing a right I would defend as Baptists — yet an action I would abhor, have chosen to defy the BGCT and cut their giving to Texas mission causes. That is their right but the reasoning behind such decisions looks strangely suspect: Almost as if they would be willing to hurt Texas Baptist mission just to say, “Look! We told you that Amarillo ‘Independence’ would hurt Texas missions giving!”

We really do not need this type of “normal” for Texas Baptists. At this point, Texas Baptists Committed have provided a sanity for Texas Baptists that is much admired and appreciated in other state conventions. Rising above politics as the end result, Texas Baptists Committed have simply urged us to be wise about maintaining a convention politic that provides constant focus on our mission ministry in and beyond Texas and a focus that reminds us to be what Baptists have traditionally been. And that is why Texas Baptists Committed is supported both by the numerous grassroots “conservative” churches as well as those labeled “moderate.” We are simply a group of Texas Baptists committed to more than the old political games that have diverted and divided us.

Neither Mauriece nor I asked to serve as co-chairs for the Texas Baptists Committed Executive Committee. We do so, however, out of a sense of conviction that these are not normal times and to simply do business as usual is about as wise as firing blank shells into the air. Accepting the appearance that everything is fine got one great convention into disarray. We ought be a mite more careful about what happens in Texas. Neither of us sees our role as a political base but we are concerned about keeping the main thing as the main thing. Both os us reflect church and missionary backgrounds that compel us to focus on the rich, traditional diversity of Baptists who are willing to cooperate with about anything but gross immorality or rank heresy in order to advance the mission cause of Christ. We do not feel a need to create issues to force upon the BGCT but we do feel the freedom effectively exercised by our predecessors to encourage Texas Baptists and Texas churches to be informed and involved in making a real difference for the cause of Christ. If we are busy firing blank shells — whether on foreign mission fields, local church ministries, or out of convention offices — we will probably give the appearance of looking “great,” “normal,” and “okay.”

But it’s a sure way to lose the only war that really counts!

April 1995