The Importance of BGCT Related Institutions
By David Currie
Executive Director

You will note that TBC is endorsing two BGCT institutional leaders for president and vice president of the BGCT. This is no accident.

Ken Hall and Albert Reyes are great leaders: visionary, compassionate, biblically sound and part of our present and future. The institutions they lead are on the cutting edge of “being Christ in the world.” They are remarkable men leading difference-making institutions.

Are you aware that the Baptist General Convention of Texas has more institutions related to it than the Southern Baptist Convention? It is true. We are “Christ in the world” in many well-organized and effective ways. The largest item in the BGCT budget is for institutional support. These institutions make a huge difference for Christ.

These institutions are why I believe that the BGCT has resisted the trend toward fundamentalism that the SBC and many other state conventions have taken. The eight BGCT related universities educated Baptist pastors and laypersons to be real Baptists and therefore there was a captive audience ready to hear and act upon the message of Texas Baptists Committed.

These educated Baptists knew what Baptist principles were and did not want them abandoned in Texas nor did they want their institutions controlled by fundamentalists.

I also know these institutions are grateful for what has occurred in Texas Baptist life although their leaders are reluctant to discuss it. All one has to do is read Doug Weaver’s article on page 10 to understand how fortunate it is to be an institution related to the BGCT. Institutions in other states are being changed dramatically. Would you rather be president of a University in Texas or Georgia or Missouri? That question is pretty easy to answer.

I’m quite sure that even Houston Baptist University that just voted for a “fraternal” relationship with the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention does not truly want to be controlled by fundamentalism. They just want the money to keep flowing. It will be interesting to see if this works for them.

Part of our mission statement at TBC speaks to our commitment to support BGCT related institutions. We will continue to do so passionately. If I ever think one is seriously in danger of being taken over by fundamentalists, either intentionally or by accident, you can rest assured I will scream to high heaven.

Our institutions are vital to the future of the Baptist witness in America. I am proud we have so many wonderful institutions and thrilled two of our finest institutional leaders will be in positions of influence in the BGCT for the next year.

November 2003