Personal Reflections on this Newsletter
By David R. Currie,
executive director

This newsletter focuses on the missionary crisis, religious liberty and ethical issues. Although a few of the articles are lengthy, I hope you will read each one carefully.

I also want to say a personal word about some of the authors who have written articles for this issue.

Bill Brian is chair of Texas Baptists Committed. He is a lawyer and a layperson from First Baptist, Amarillo. Bill is on the board of regents of Baylor University and chaired the BGCT search committee that recommended Charles Wade to be the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

For me, Bill Brian is the finest example of a Baptist layperson I have ever known. He is an active churchman, stays informed on the issues of the day and is well grounded in Baptist history and polity. He gives time and money to what he believes and never responds “from the hip.” Bill performs any undertaking with class and integrity. I wish I were more like Bill Brian.

Foy Valentine, my old boss at the SBC Christian Life Commission, is a living legend and deservedly so. He became a legend because of his courage and judgment. Throughout his ministry, Foy has stood like a giant redwood for all that is right and good and decent. I truly wish that I were more like Foy Valentine.

In this issue we look at two critical legislative issues relating to religious liberty. H.R. 2357, which would allow pastors to endorse political candidates and have their churches still retain their tax-exempt status, and H.R. 2931, which would allow churches to contribute to political campaigns and still maintain their tax-exempt status. I find it beyond comprehension that such bills would actually be introduced in Congress. I would comment further, but we have included an excellent editorial by Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist Standard on these bills, as well as the actual testimony before Congress of Welton Gaddy, executive director of The Interfaith Alliance. Please take these bills seriously.

Marv Knox is a godsend to Texas Baptists. You may not know that in many fundamentalist states, the Baptists who live there do not get “all” the news. The editors of some state papers are censored from printing anything negative about the SBC (in some states, the story about the IMB asking the missionaries to sign the 2000 BF&M was never reported) or from printing anything at all about the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship or the Mainstream Baptist Network.

The Texas Baptist Standard is an independent entity. It is the only Baptist state paper that does not receive any Cooperative Program funds. Thus, Marv is a “free man” and issues a free flow of information to Texas Baptists. He reports all the news and takes courageous stands. Marv prints negative “letters-to-the-editor” (even about me), because that is his job. There is not a good reason for a Texas Baptist to be uninformed. They need only to take the Baptist Standard and read the truth as Marv presents it weekly. I wish I were more like Marv Knox.

Welton Gaddy was my pastor at Broadway Baptist Church when I resided in Fort Worth. He is a long-time friend. Welton has one of the brightest minds I have ever known. He continues to preach each Sunday in Louisiana along with his duties as executive director of The Interfaith Alliance and is the author of numerous books. Welton says the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.

Through the years, I have received many compliments on my work ethic. My energy level pales in comparison to Welton. I wish I were more like Welton Gaddy.

I am honored to serve on the board of The Interfaith Alliance, which is comprised of people of various faiths. I am severely criticized by Roger Moran and others for serving on this board. Most of the criticism is of the “guilt by association” variety because of some of the personal stands of other board members.

This criticism does not bother me. My fellow board members are some of the finest persons I have ever met. They are deeply committed to religious liberty for everyone. I do not agree with them on every issue or they with me, but I value them as persons of faith and as Americans.

Guilt by Association is a silly, sick game. I could play it as well. At this year’s SBC annual meeting, Dana Curry and Heather Mercer, the two missionaries (not associated with the IMB) who were imprisoned in Afghanistan, will be speaking. Both are graduates of Baylor University.

Recently, the Waco paper reported on Dana Curry speaking in tongues ten minutes per day while imprisoned. Does the fact that she is speaking at a Southern Baptist Convention meeting mean that the SBC is endorsing the charismatic movement? Of course not. She is speaking because she has a wonderful testimony to share. It is time for the game of “guilt by association” to stop on all sides.

Hopefully, you will enjoy this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

June 2002