BRIAN CHAIRS TBC BOARD
By Bill Brian

Greetings from Amarillo! It is my privilege to serve as chair of Texas Baptists Committed for 2002. It is an honor and a challenge to follow the chairmanship of Dr. Herbert Reynolds who led us with great clarity of focus and integrity.

Thank you, Dr. Reynolds, for giving yourself so fully to the task of leading us in 2001. Thank you, too, Millie Bishop, Ed Hogan and Phil Lineberger for serving faithfully across the years on the TBC board. We shall miss each of you on the board, and will gladly anticipate your continued affirmation and support of the mission and work of TBC.

We welcome two new board members for 2002, Barbara Baugh and John Ogletree, Jr. Already this year, we have new challenges, and opportunities. Your board of directors is committed to keeping true to the mission of TBC. We will work to support BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade and their staff as they continue to find ways to serve Texas Baptist needs. Join me in praying regularly and often for Dr. Wade in his key role.

Voluntary cooperation and lively conversation are a part of what it has meant to be Baptist. At David Currie’s urging, I attended the first convocation of Mainstream Baptist Network in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I felt thrilled when TBC leaders John Baugh, David Currie, Herbert Reynolds, Michael Bell and Bob Stephenson, along with nine others from Texas received the Mainstream Hall of Fame awards (see page 5).

These awards are significant, in part, because they remind us of the importance of perseverance in leadership. Like David, son of Jesse, these men have imaginations so thoroughly God-dominated that they have not believed the Goliath terror that has stood to block our Baptist way these past 23 years.

The Mainstream mission is to encourage independent and autonomous state and individual Baptist movements across the U.S. by emphasizing the priority of Christ Jesus. In addition, Mainstream is encouraging unity around missions, promoting biblical principles that have historically guided Baptist beliefs and practices, while actively opposing the influence of Fundamentalist legalism and exclusionism.

At the Charlotte convocation, (photos pg. 27) inspirational speakers brought testimonies and sermons, including Texas’ own Michael Bell, Mike Chancellor, Currie, and MBN National Co-chair and former TBC Chair Lineberger.

I wish more could have been present among the 250 Baptists from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, to hear outstanding speakers.

MBN approved an open letter to Dr. Jerry Rankin, the trustees of the International Mission Board, the trustees of the North American Mission Board, and the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention expressing strong opposition to the recent disturbing actions and directives inimical to the traditional, mainstream Baptist witness.

I am glad that TBC has chosen to partner with MBN to encourage and be encouraged by fellow Baptists from across the land. Log onto the MBN website at www.mainstreambaptists.org.

Among the Texans present in Charlotte was BGCT executive board staff member Bernie Spooner who displayed and offered the Baptist Way Bible study curriculum. Adults in my church have responded in an overwhelmingly positive way to this Biblecentered curriculum. I hope others will try it in your Bible study class. Free samples are available, including a large print study guide. You can reach Baptist Way Press at 866.249.1799 (toll free).

These are busy days for TBC. I hope that you will pray for Currie as he travels across our state and across the U.S. encouraging Baptists who cherish the traditions that have made Baptists a great mission- minded people of the Book.

These are days to renew membership in TBC and to make an above and beyond gift. Join me in making an over and above contribution to help TBC continue to tell the truth and the whole truth.

Talk with your Baptist friends in your community about the issues that are important to what it means to be Baptist. Send to the TBC office names of Baptist friends who need to receive the TBC newsletter. Send your own e-mail address and e-mail addresses of friends, to receive more frequent updates from TBC.

April 2002