The problem with mishandled conflict within a church is how it distracts the energy of the church away from its true purpose and mission.  So it saddened me when our office received a call from a First Baptist Church member in a county seat town  who described a problem creating a division in their church.

The catalyst for conflict was a video tape featuring Roger Moran, research director of the Missouri Baptist Layman's Association.  Serious problems were caused when a member, who reportedly got the tape at the November >98 Southern Baptist of Texas Houston meeting,  showed it to  a selected group in the church.

Others in the church with knowledge of Baptist polity and familiar with the fundamentalist tactic of selling false innuendo for truth helped their fellow members get a grip on the reality of the situation. 

After viewing the Moran tape, I believe it is necessary to address briefly some of the issues Moran raised.

So much of what appears negative in our TBC newsletter is in response to false accusation, misinformation and perversion of Baptist polity.  People believe lies when truth is not defended.

 Scathing Attack

The video can be summarized as a scathing attack on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as a "wolf in sheep's clothing," including hard jabs at the BGCT and some fine Texas Baptist people who have been faithful in their service to Christ. Their research and conclusions are incorrect and misleading.  Consider the following examples:

1)  In one of the many attacks on the Baptist Joint Committee, Moran stated "BJCPA Executive Director Speaks with Wicca Priestess in Colorado."   He reminds the listener that another speaker was a Universalist spokesperson. 

The guilt by association implication is that James Dunn must agree with the Wicca priestess and the Universalist, therefore, Dunn is a liberal and CBF is liberal for supporting BJCPA.

One is not told that: BJCPA did not set up the program for the event.  Dunn used the occasion to present a Christian witness.  A young woman named Debbie received Jesus Christ as her savior because she heard Dunn's witness. 

Witchcraft was not and has never been endorsed by BJCPA.  Taking the opportunity to witness for the cause of Christ has not only been endorsed but practiced.

The BJCPA does not advocate any homosexual agenda, nor does it advocate homosexual behavior.  It has never endorsed nor supported any program which advocates pornography in any form.  It has never promoted abortion.

Guilt by Association

2) Another example is Moran's attack on at least nine people who have served as what he calls "Breakout leaders."  He says they train people on "how to be Baptist according to CBF's understanding."  Even his description sounds like a plot to indoctrinate.

Moran admits in the video he is using guilt by association.  What he does not tell you is how he uses this to distort the truth to create a misperception of CBF.

He does not tell you in this example that a number of these were not "leaders" in terms of training others.  They called the meeting to order and introduced the speaker.  So in some cases, they were not even the influential key speaker.  In other cases, when these persons were actually leading, it was not on the topic that Moran chooses to argue about,  with his selected quotes.

He also does not tell you that during CBF general assemblies from1990 through 1998, no breakout sessions advocated the ordination of homosexuals, bi-sexuals, and trans-gendered persons.  None advocated an "unambiguous sexual norm" in Scripture, denial of God's existence; the worship of Sophia and Christ or repeal of sodomy laws.  None were held advocating calling God Mother; pro-choice in abortion or abortion as a means of population control, which he implies are sessions at CBF. 

According to Bart Tichenor, who has written to defend the BJCPA from Moran's accusations, the  persons attacked by Moran were involved in 15 sessions out of 577 or 2.5% and represent only 1.8% of the 817 breakout session leaders from 1990 to 1997. Yet, the video seeks to convince the listener that this represents the vast majority of those involved in CBF.

The attacks on CBF and others are so numerous there is not enough space in our newsletter to answer the far‑fetched accusations.   Using guilt by association Moran has chosen "hot button" issues to connect emotionally with Baptists concerned about America's morality.  CBF is falsely labeled for supporting homosexuality, pornography, federal funding for the arts and abortion.  The video seeks to create a moral zeal to turn people against CBF and any person, church, or state convention that would consider partnering with CBF.

LOCAL CHURCH FREEDOM RESTRICTED

Apparently faith set free is very frightening to some.  Instead of focusing on the need of the church to cooperate for missions,  for reaching others for Christ and for developing a fellowship that meets the needs of  its members and its community, the video calls for negative responses.

Instead of practicing freedom in giving as the Lord leads, the fundamentalists call for restriction of freedom within a local church.

 In contrast, not one Texas Baptist church giving to CBF restricts the freedom of its members to give to the SBC. Freedom and choice are Baptist principles rooted in what it means to be Christians.  This allows the spirit of Christ to work within a congregation and encourages partnership in winning our world to Christ.  It is a positive focus instead of focusing on control and power.

Moran's work may create serious division within the local church. Hopefully, churches will steer clear of such a negative approach and pursue a more Biblical spirit of kindness and honesty. 

At the conclusion of the video, Moran makes it clear that truth is more important than unity.  Divisiveness is promoted for the sake of the truth, but Moran does not bring the truth.  He misrepresents individuals and especially CBF. 

Thus, a church is faced not only with division but with distorted impressions based on false allegations.  When we allow ourselves to be divided, over false allegations instead of the truth, then, who is the wolf in sheep=s clothing?

April 1999