A Summary of the SBC Controversy: 1995 to 2000
by Paul Kenley,
Pastor, Baptist Temple, Houston

In 1995, the SBC’s fundamentalist machine undertook the most massive reorganization in the convention’s long history. It is known as “The Brister Report.” It was as if they were trying to deliberately distance the convention from any of its historical roots.

Practically speaking, the transformation was so comprehensive that even the names of the most familiar SBC agencies were changed. The Foreign Mission Board became the International Mission Board (IMB); the Home Mission Board became the North American Mission Board (NAMB); and the most ironic misnomer of all, the Christian Life Commission became the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Reorganization went far deeper than mere name-changing, not the least significant of which was the abolishing of the SBC Historical Commission. The Woman’s Missionary Union was likened to an adulterous woman for publishing missions’ materials for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The charge of unfaithfulness in their marriage to the SBC, was leveled by IMB Chairperson John Jackson in 1995.

The indiscreet and inflammatory remarks further widened the division between the SBC and those they alienated. It was the initial step in an ever-increasing denigration of women that would culminate in the amendment of the Baptist Faith and Message in 1998.

The SBC further alienates traditional Baptists and diminishes its public witness every year at annual meetings. Such was the case in 1996 with what is now known as the infamous “Disney Boycott.” This event was significant in that it sounded another neo-SBC theme the targeting of gays. When Disney World hosted a “Gay Pride Day,” the SBC reacted by calling for a boycott of all Disney enterprises.

In addition to incurring the charge of homophobia from the nation’s gay communities, the far-reaching effects of this action on Baptist life have been significant. The SBC’s stance on homosexuality has almost replaced inerrancy as its battle-cry. They charge moderates as being soft on homosexuality, mainly because we do not single out homosexuality for political castigation over other kinds of immorality.

Though CBF and BGCT leadership have constantly repeated their stance that homosexuality is a sin, propaganda from those speaking on behalf of the SBC continue to describe moderates as pro-gay.

Three Significant Events

At its 1998 annual meeting in Salt Lake City, three significant events occurred that solidified the SBC’s steadfast course to the right.

First, Patterson, an original architect of the takeover, was elected president, thus, forever proving that no broadening of the tent or any kind of movement back to the center was possible.

Secondly, Falwell, the chief spokesman of independent fundamentalists in America, attended the meeting as a messenger for the first time, proving that the SBC had now moved far enough to the right to serve as a comfortable home for even the most radical fundamentalists.

Thirdly, the convention adopted the previously- mentioned family amendment to the Baptist Faith and Message, which had not been amended in 35 years. The amendment, which called all women to graciously submit to their husbands, bears huge implications that extend far beyond the traditional family.

Strong opposition to the ordination of women, or any involvement of them in leadership roles in the church, is an underlying premise of the amendment. Choices concerning women traditionally have been a local church option.

A motion affirming the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message statement passed at the Nov. 1999 session of the BGCT resulted from the SBC’s action. That action against women served to clarify the BGCT’s opposition to the direction the SBC has gone in the past 21 years.

The Texas body, thus, has become the target of numerous misinformation campaigns, characterizing Texas Baptist leaders as pro-homosexual and pro-abortion. Revelation of the ugly underbelly of the fundamentalists’ willingness to resort to anything to have their way can be credited to the campaigns, perhaps more than to any other single factor.

The most visible of these organized attacks has been leveled by a group known as the Missouri Laymen’s Association. Led by Roger Moran, the group has spent huge sums of money to flood churches with propaganda denigrating BGCT and CBF leaders. The movement has become so public that the Texas Baptist Executive Board elected a special committee to respond to the unfounded charges.

A move by a group of pastors in Texas for reconciliation has at this point failed to take hold mainly because reconciliation requires the participation of both parties in a conflict. Since SBC leaders have made their intolerance of other viewpoints clear, one cannot help but conclude that acquiescence and submission are the only terms they will accept in any move toward reconciliation.

Had it not been for David Currie and Texas Baptists Committed, the BGCT would have fallen victim to the SBC takeover years ago. The TBC movement has proven that resistance, while at times unpleasant, has not only been effective, but absolutely critical. May we increase our resolve to further protect both our freedom and our faith.

The documentation for this update is found in the 1999 edition of The Fundamentalist Takeover in the Southern Baptist Convention: A Brief History by Rob James, Gary Leazer, and James Shoopman, published by Impact Media, Timisoara, Romania.

May 2000