One of the proposed changes in the Baptist General Convention's proposed budget to be voted upon in Corpus Christi on Oct. 30-31 is to reduce the amount of funding for the SBC Executive Committee from $706,000 to $10,000.

When traditional Texas Baptists ask how is the best way to use funds for growing the Kingdom of God, the SBC Executive Committee is found wanting. The Executive Committee is the SBC's main administrative office and is responsible for setting policies, distributing Cooperative Program money and running a national news service, Baptist Press.

The budget change does not take any funds away from missionaries or mission causes.

The courage of the administrative committee of the BGCT and the wisdom of the executive board of the BGCT deserves support for changing the allocation of funding. There has not been anyone serving on the SBC Executive Committee that has been supportive of the actions of the BGCT for years. Most arrive on the committee as a reward for taking strong fundamentalist positions, such as Roger Moran of Missouri Baptist Laymen's Association.

The SBC Executive Committee has attacked BGCT leaders with hostility and misinformation. This has been led by Morris Chapman, president of the Executive Committee. The magazine SBC Life has been used to promote distrust for BGCT leaders.

There is little reason to discuss the Baptist Press, an arm of the SBC Executive Committee which is now known for its propaganda for the fundamentalist agenda and fabrication of innuendos to mislead Southern Baptists.

While mission needs soar the SBC Executive Committee has continued to provide more funding for themselves. In 1980, the SBC Operating Budget was $704,000. In 1995, the budget was $3,097,786, an increase of 340%.

According to the 1998 SBC Annual, the Operating Budget was $6,175,185 with the total Executive Committee Expenses alone reported as $3,344,585.

Texas Baptists can give our money to these SBC leaders who have treated the BGCT with contempt and hostility or give our support to ministries that can touch and change lives.

In the reallocation of funds half would go to Hispanic ministries and church starting in Texas, a fourth would go to human-welfare ministries and a fourth to produce church-resource materials by the Texas Christian Life Commission.

For good stewardship, Texas Baptists need to pass the budget recommendations. For the lives that could have been touched, I am sorry we didn't do it sooner.

October 2000