Depending on who one talks to, the Baptist General Convention of Texas
is entering a period of redefining – or severing – its relationship with the
Southern Baptist Convention.
Speculation about the relationship between the national denomination
and its largest state convention has increased in recent weeks. In June, messengers
to the annual Southern Baptist Convention approved revisions to the Baptist
Faith and Message confessional statement.
Depending on who one talks to, the Baptist General Convention of Texas
is entering a period of redefining – or severing – its relationship with the
Southern Baptist Convention.
Speculation about the relationship between the national denomination
and its largest state convention has increased in recent weeks. In June, messengers
to the annual Southern Baptist Convention approved revisions to the Baptist
Faith and Message confessional statement.
Those revisions were opposed publicly by some Texas Baptists
before and during the annual convention. Critics said the revisions raise the
Bible to the level of Jesus Christ. They also complain about other changes,
such as the assertion that only men may serve as pastors.
Since adoption of the changes, key Texas Baptist leaders have
questioned what the future will be for the state convention as it relates to
the national denomination.
Late in June, Baptist General Convention of Texas President
Clyde Glazener told a Dallas newspaper that he could not predict what would
happen at the fall annual meeting of the state convention.
However, Glazener did say many Texans were unhappy with the
leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention. “The truth is that, for
some time now, a true Baptist could not support some of the agencies in (Southern
Baptist Convention) life,” Glazener emphasized.
For instance, Glazener said he did not know if he could support
the work of the conventions International Mission Board or North American
Mission Board.
“I dont know if we can do it with integrity,”
he said. “If they wont accept missionaries who dont sign off
on the Baptist Faith and Message it would be an interesting development.”
Meanwhile, after Glazeners comments were reported, Baptist
General Convention of Texas Executive Director Charles Wade said the state denomination
will not secede from the national body.
But a time of redefinition is underway for the Texas convention,
he said.
“Though there are those who would like to draw a dividing
line as deep as the Grand Canyon, this is a time for redefining the relationship,
not severing it,” Wade said.
While noting his support for the Southern Baptist Convention,
Wade also acknowledged that Texas Baptists do not have to give to national causes,
including the Cooperative Program.
“Texas Baptist churches will continue to be able to give
through the (Baptist General Convention of Texas) to support Southern Baptist
programs,” Wade noted.
“Likewise, churches still will be free to exclude Southern
Baptist causes and channel all their missions dollars through the (state convention).”
Whatever happens, much is at stake. On that, all agree. The
Baptist General Convention of Texas claims 2.7 million members and 6,600 churches.
It is a major contributor to Southern Baptist Convention causes and agencies.
Some actions already have been taken.
Earlier this month, a group of Texas Baptists voted to form
a state organization to affiliate with the moderate/conservative Cooperative
Baptist Fellowship and to launch a search for a state executive director. The
organizers made it clear that they plan to increase support of the Fellowship
and its causes within the state.
On the other hand, the Henderson Southern Baptist Association
recently affirmed its commitment to the Southern Baptist Convention. All but
two of the associations 25 churches represented at a specially-called
meeting voted to support the national convention.
“We needed to let it be known there are Southern Baptists
here in Texas who are in agreement and are supportive of the Baptist Faith and
Message,” associational moderator Casey Perry explained.
Perry said the meeting was called following comments Glazener
made. The association includes about 14,000 Baptists.
Perry said that many smaller Texas Baptist congregations support
the Southern Baptist Convention. “I think you are going to see a groundswell
of support for the convention through small towns and country churches,”
he said.
Meanwhile, newly-elected SBC President James Merritt offered
a word of reconciliation to Baptist General Convention of Texas leaders. “I
want us to open our arms to everyone in our entire convention and reach this
world for Jesus Christ,” he said.
“I would hope that all Texas Baptists would realize that
we do need each other and we have a world that is lost and needs to be saved,”
Merritt added. “This is the time for Baptists to pull together, to unite
our efforts to get the gospel out.”
Merritt said the way to reach the world is not by leaving the convention. “The
way to reach the world is to stand for truth and thats what Baptists have
done. Weve never said you have to be in lockstep with everything we say
or everything we believe. I would hope that all Texans realize what is at stake
in the (Southern Baptist Convention) enterprise of missions and evangelism.”
One group that may benefit from the current situation is the
fundamental/conservative Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Finally, Jim
Richards, the executive director of the conservative Southern Baptists of Texas
Convention, said Texas Baptists who want to affirm Biblical inerrancy have a
home in their convention.
“Texas churches that want to have a strong and positive
relationship with the SBC and still carry out Texas missions and ministry need
to know they have a home with us,” noted, Jim Richards, the groups
executive director. “We stand ready to minister to and facilitate churches
who want to affiliate with us.”
Currently, the fundamental/conservative convention has 367
affiliated churches.