The BGCT Executive Board passed a recommendation on Feb. 26 on the missionary transition fund, with only one negative vote. BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade received a standing ovation after his presentation as did BGCT President Bob Campbell after his remarks. A third standing ovation came at the end when Baylor President Emeritus Herbert Reynolds announced that the fund already had a $1 million pledge from 18 prominent Texas Baptists.

RECOMMENDATION PRESENTED TO THE BGCT EXECUTIVE BOARD FROM THE MISSIONS REVIEW AND INITIATIVES COMMITTEE

Because we experience deep sadness that the President of the International Mission Board, with the support of the trustees, has required written affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, a man-made document that is being placed dangerously close to equal ground with the Bible, and that is now being used as an “instrument of doctrinal accountability;”

Because this reverses promises by Jerry Rankin, President of the IMB, that he would not require any missionary to sign a doctrinal statement;

Because we feel compelled to respond to the grave concern expressed by missionaries under appointment who have contacted us, that they are, for the first time, being asked to affirm, after their appointment, a doctrinal statement rather than the Bible;

Because we have confidence in these missionaries and their sound biblical beliefs;

Because we sympathize with the pain of betrayal felt so acutely by these missionaries;

Because we feel a deep moral obligation to respond to any missionary who voluntarily leaves or is released by the IMB because of this action;

And because of our commitment to the Lordship of Christ and His Great Commission, we recommend:

• that the BGCT Executive Board Staff immediately establish and administer a special missionary transition fund to meet needs of these missionaries at this difficult time in their lives;

• that the Executive Board instruct the Administrative Committee to establish a way for Texas Baptists to contribute to that fund;

• that the BGCT Executive Board Staff actively seek churches and institutions that will assist in caring for these missionaries;

• that the BGCT work with other Baptist groups who share this concern;

• and that the Executive Board instruct the Missions Review and Initiatives Committee to explore positive and pro-active ways in which the churches and institutions of the BGCT can encourage and assist these missionaries to express their God-given mission calling and that the committee report back by September, 2002.

April 2002