Here's a newsy update on the increasingly strained relationship between Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina (WMU-NC) and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC), a matter that WMU supporters across the country are watching closely.
WMU-NC has historically been an autonomous body, but grew into a symbiotic relationship with the BSC that left it somewhat less than independent. That was fine during an extended period of shared goals and mutual trust. As conservative/moderate tensions grew and trust levels dropped during the past few years, however, WMU-NC leaders perceived a need for several moves designed to ensure continued autonomy in future years.
BSC officials responded by asserting that the BSC executive director has final authority over WMU-NC staff, a position that WMU-NC leaders reject. At loggerheads over the issue, WMU-NC's executive board voted Aug. 16 to relocate the organization's offices from the Baptist Building in Cary and to assume greater financial responsibility for its staff.
In a meeting with Convention officials, WMU-NC executive director Ruby Fulbright requested confirmation that WMU-NC employees who qualify for retirement under current BSC policies would be able to do so, stated WMU-NC's desire to continue as a promoter and recipient of the North Carolina Missions Offering (NCMO), and sought a nine-month transition period to make financial arrangements and complete the move.
In a called meeting of the BSC Executive Committee Sept. 10 -- a meeting to which the Biblical Recorder was not invited, by the way -- the Committee met with Fulbright for several hours and then spent more than two hours in closed session.
The Committee acknowledged that WMU-NC will receive its previously-designated share of the 2007 NCMO offering, but deferred consideration of future offerings to its Sept. 25 meeting, when the BSC budget committee is scheduled to report its recommendations for the next two-year budget cycle.
The Committee agreed that WMU-NC staffers who already qualify for retirement under BSC policies can do so, an action that affects three WMU-NC staff members, including Fulbright. They can now officially "retire" from the BSC and work on a contract basis for WMU-NC.
The Executive Committee cut the request for a nine-month transition period in half, determining that WMU-NC should become financially self-supporting by Jan. 1, 2008. If arrangements for relocating the offices are not complete by then, WMU-NC will be allowed to remain in the Baptist Building through May 2008, at a cost of $2,000 per month in rent.
Fulbright expressed appreciation for the Executive Committee's cooperation.
For its part, the Executive Committee affirmed executive director Milton Hollifield's position that the BSC constitution allots final authority over all BSC employees to him, and charged him to stick by Convention policies.
On Sept. 11, the BSC posted a lengthy statement on the Convention website. The statement is clearly designed to present the Convention's actions in the best possible light, to portray WMU-NC in a less favorable light, and to justify the position taken by BSC officials.
WMU-NC posted a press release on its website Sept. 12. In that release, Fulbright apologizes for any grief or confusion that has emerged from the growing tension, but defends WMU-NC's actions: "Our move has been necessary for us to maintain the freedom to follow the will of God as we understand it. It is my hope that this new working relationship will allow us to return our focus to God’s purposes for us and to new joy in ministry."
We can only hope.
6 comments:
Tony:
How ominous do you think this fissure in North Carolina is for the WMU National Hdqrtrs building in Bham.
I understand that to be at least a million dollar piece of real estate.
Do you think national WMU will be able to hold on to that piece of real estate like Baptist institutions of higher ed were able to break in the 90's; or has the matter of ownership for the national WMU offices already been settled?
Dr. Carteledge,
A couple of questions. First, you say; "As conservative/moderate tensions grew and trust levels dropped during the past few years, however, WMU-NC leaders perceived a need for several moves designed to ensure continued autonomy in future years." How exactly did these tensions between the conservative/moderates spill over into WMU-NC? I serve a conservative church, but I have a very active WMU. The ladies in my congregation are very confused over this move as they were never informed or even saw it coming.
Second, you say; "a meeting to which the Biblical Recorder was not invited". Before Brother Norman was in his position at the Biblical Recorder who informed the Recorder of these special called meetings?
Third, (I know I said couple, but please be patient :>)) It has been reported that the WMU-NC has been afraid that Brother Milton Hollifield would not allow people to be hired. He has allowed everyone presented to him to be hired. There were people hired at Mundo Vista that Brother Milton signed of on with no questions. Does anyone not see this as an accountability issue?
As to the purpose of the WMU-NC. Their defining statement is; "Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina is a missions organization whose purpose is to challenge, prepare and equip Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission." Where is North Carolina Baptist in this organization?
Blessings,
Tim
1) To the best of my knowledge, national WMU owns its offices outright and remains an independent, autonomous organization. That's the kind of situation many state organizations would like to be in, though some are so entwined with their state convention that they have little real autonomy.
2) In response to Tim's questions, WMU-NC's actions preceded Milton Hollifield's election. The changes they made two years ago had been decided on by the WMU board well before it was known who the next executive director would be. It's my impression that the organization was looking out for the future in uncertain times. I can't speak for all their motives in choosing to seek greater independence, but the BSC's "our way or the highway" approach since their announcement suggests one reason for concern.
As for the Recorder, it's my understanding that the Recorder learned about the meeting after the fact and was not informed in advance by the BSC, as has been customary in the past.
Regarding your quotation from WMU NC's mission statement, it doesn't bother me if their primary mission has a broader focus than the BSC. They can cooperate with and support BSC missions without being limited to BSC missions.
Thanks for reading, and for the comments.
Dr. Carteledge,
You said; "it doesn't bother me if their primary mission has a broader focus than the BSC."
I honestly believe this is the place of disagreement throughout the state. It does bother me, and I believe others, if their primary mission has broader focus because we believe missions is evangelism and church planting, while others believe missions is building houses for the homeless and food closets.
I am not putting down other's beliefs about missions, I am just saying I believe that is the rub in all of this.
Blessings,
Tim
PS. How is classes coming. Will you post in the future about the differences in the trials of the classroom and being and editor and pastor?
Just yesterday, I was informed of your blog and its contents concerning the WMU-NC. I am somewhat a newcomer to the world of blogging. So, I hope this post finds its way to your comment section without too much trouble.
The reason for this post is to help clarify a few things for you. Since I know you to be a man of integrity, I know you will want to be assured that you article “WMU-NC Updates”, is more accurate than it is now.
East Taylorsville Baptist Church is hosting an “informational” meeting for local WMU groups in the surrounding area, which covers approximately 3-4 Associations. This has nothing to do with a meeting that was previously held by a group of pastors, Directors of Missions, various church staff and a few laity on September 3rd in Statesville. While East Taylorsville Baptist Church is hosting this meeting, they play no other role. I alone organized this meeting. It was organized and planned out of a growing concern from local WMU groups who had heard various rumors concerning the relationship between the BSCNC and the WMU-NC. I took the liberty to call Brian Davis and ask him to participate in the meeting which would be informative in nature. Brian was gracious enough to accept.
The reason I did not include any representatives of the WMU-NC leadership has nothing to do with the assumptions contained in your article. I have never believed the WMU-NC to be incapable of explaining anything. I have always had a great respect for the work of the WMU-NC. The problem is they have made no attempt to explain anything (with exception of website posting). Where has the WMU-NC leadership been since announcing this relationship change? Has there been any correspondence between the state WMU-NC leadership and the local WMU? Also, I am not interested in providing a platform for the WMU-NC leadership when they have made no concentrated effort to inform local WMU groups on their own. Sadly enough, the leadership of the WMU-NC made a monumental decision without ever consulting the local WMU groups. They acted, although within their by-laws, without allowing the local WMU groups to have any input concerning this obvious change in relationship. That decision could very well turn out to be a disaster.
While the WMU-NC does not belong to the BSCNC, the local WMU does not enjoy the same autonomy. They are, in every way, a part of the local church. The local WMU groups, without apology, are “ours” (local church). They only choose to be part of “your” WMU-NC. What I do not believe some of the leadership to understand is that without “our” WMU, “your” WMU-NC does not exist. So I do not clearly understand the “disconnect” statement.
That is exactly why I have formed this meeting. It is to help “our” WMU understand what has taken place between the BSCNC and the WMU-NC leadership, in order that they will not feel so “disconnected”. If there are those who are unhappy about this meeting, all they have to do is stay at home and do not come. If there are those who want some information about what has taken place, all they need to do is be at East Taylorsville Baptist Church at 7 pm. If they do not like the format (ie. Speaker), then they have the right and privilege to form their own meeting.
Tony:
It was stated that the BSC has not stopped hiring of the WMU of NC. It is important to note that the WMU of NC has been trying to fill the position that was left open when Linda Hicks pasted away two years ago. There seems to be an issue of where did the benefits go. The WMU of NC have been trying to solve this issue for two years and the BSC has side stepped the issue.
I can not believe what I am reading. Did I read correctly the statment of who owns the local WMU. When did this become a who owns who issues. People, please remember who we serve, Jesus. I do not remember Jesus talking about who was in control and who owned his disciples. The Jesus I know is a Jesus who washed the feet of his disciples and who taught us to serve others. I truly believe the WMU of NC are a group of women who love the Lord and want to do missions. It is sad to think that a group of people will be discussing the ownership of their WMU, and did not invite the WMU of NC staff to explain the reasons for the decisions they have made, which have been very difficult for them.
This is to important not to include everyone. Please keep an open mind.
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