When Jesus spoke of the narrow gate and hard road that lead to life (Matt. 7:13-14), he was talking about the highway to heaven rather rather than the path of doctrinal conformity or denominational accountability. 
During the 2007 annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Nov. 12-14, the consequences of the Convention's continuing shift to a narrower, more conservative stance came to the fore.
Like an overloaded truck that has to shed part of its load to get through a tight place, the BSCNC left the annual session in Greensboro with a much lighter load. By meeting's end, one church had been voted out of fellowship, the five affiliated higher education institutions had taken another step toward a severing of accountability ties, the departure of Baptist Retirement Homes reached a closure of sorts, and North Carolina Woman's Missionary Union was effectively removed from the Convention's budget process.
Despite pre-convention predictions of a larger than usual attendance, the number of registered messengers continued a steady decline. The messenger total was 2,549, with 54 percent of those being pastors or church staff employees and their spouses.
Myers Park Baptist Church disfellowshipped
During a pre-convention meeting of the BSCNC Executive Committee on Nov. 12, Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte sent a delegation to ask for a ruling on its membership status. Pastor Steve Shoemaker acknowledged that the church welcomes gays and lesbians into both membership and leadership, which puts it at odds with bylaw changes adopted by the BSCNC in 2006. The bylaw changes declared any church that condones or endorses practicing homosexuals to be out of "friendly cooperation" with the Convention. Both Shoemaker and deacon Nancy Walker, an attorney who identified herself as being lesbian in orientation, asked that the church be allowed to remain in fellowship with the BSCNC.
The Executive Committee ruled against them, but allowed church representatives to appeal to the Convention. That appeal took place on Nov. 13, when messengers voted overwhelmingly to hear their appeal, then just as strongly to deny it, despite appeals from Shoemaker and Walker. "Open your hearts to all who seek to worship God," Walker asked messengers. "Reach out to people who have experienced pain and spiritual isolation."
"No matter your vote today I will be a witness in the world for love, compassion and reconciliation," Walker said.
Board of directors president Allan Blume said the Convention had no choice but to abide by its bylaws, and opponents pointed to biblical passages that condemn homosexual acts. The Convention's vote served to officially "disfellowship" the historic Myers Park church from the BSCNC (see stories from the Biblical Recorder and the Charlotte Observer).
Although the church had "self-reported" its policies last spring and invited Convention officials to visit, there had been no response from the BSCNC, which does not consider ousting a church unless at least two people file a formal complaint. For Myers Park, the church's appeal forced the issue.
Colleges and Convention step toward severance
A measure designed to officially sever relationships with the five Baptist colleges that still have BSCNC ties passed the first stage of its journey: it must be approved again at the 2008 annual meeting. If the motion is given final approval at next year's annual session, the five institutions (Campbell University, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, Mars Hill College, and Wingate University) will officially sever ties with the BSCNC and enter a less formal relationship through which the schools will elect their own trustees and forgo funding over a four-year period.
Funds now received are used for student scholarships. If any BSCNC scholarship funding remains available after 2008, students will have to apply directly to the Convention to receive it (see stories from the Greensboro News-Record and the Biblical Recorder).
Appeal made to Baptist Retirement Homes
In a final-morning session that was much better attended than usual, a committee appointed to study the Convention's relationship with BRH made its report. BRH asked in August 2005 for a new relationship in which it would begin electing its trustees and surrendering BSCNC funding over a four-year period. The Executive Committee approved the motion at that meeting, but later rescinded it after the Convention attorney said the change amounted to a severance and violated the bylaws. Rather than continue negotiations, BRH trustees voted in December 2005 to become self-perpetuating.
Joan Mitchell, a Durham attorney who chaired the committee, said the committee had heard much sentiment calling for legal action against BRH, but recommended that no legal action be taken, with the parties seekig to work out their relationship as Christians who want to present a good witness in the world.
The committee's findings were released in a 29-page report that made three recommendations (the full report can be downloaded from this page). In short, the proposals called for BSCNC to: (1) Encourage BRH to reverse course and go through the BSCNC bylaw-approved process for severing its relationship to the BSCNC and ask for a new one, (2) Provide some pro-rated funds from escrow to BRH, assuming that it complied with the first recommendation, and (3) Study other options for ministries to the aging beyond those provided by BRH.
An amendment designed to make the release of funds more clearly contingent upon BRH's willingness to go through the process was approved.
BRH was given an opportunity to respond, but neither BRH president Bill Stillerman nor any other BRH representative appeared to speak to the proposals, indicating an apparent lack of interest in further negotiations.
The action appears to bring some closure to the matter, with the BSCNC having made an effort to reach a more amicable resolution, and BRH apparently set on pressing forward with its current course.
WMU-NC removed from budget
Most pre-convention tension had related to an anticipated showdown over WMU-NC's exclusion from the North Carolina Missions Offering, approved by the Convention's Board of Directors at a special meeting October 29.
When the budget was presented, committee chair Larry Burns said WMU-NC had been eliminated from the proposed North Carolina Missions Offering budget for 2008-2009 because all WMU-NC staffers had announced plans to resign or retire as BSCNC employees by Dec. 31. That meant WMU-NC would have no further direct connection to the BSCNC, Burns said, though he acknowledged WMU-NC's professed intention to remain supportive of the BSCNC and to continue working with BSCNC churches.
"In the past, NCMO has only funded things with direct connections" to the BSCNC, Burns said. Continuing to include WMU-NC would set a dangerous precedent, he said, as any independent ministry could ask to be included in the NCMO.
But, Burns said, because of the Convention's appreciation for WMU-NC, the Board of Directors had "agreed to support a special offering for WMU as an autonomous and independent missions organization."
Former executive director Roy Smith said WMU-NC would need additional funding during its transition to financial independence, and made a motion that the NCMO goal for 2008 be increased by $500,000 to $2.5 million, with the additional funds to be allocated to WMU-NC (WMU-NC is slated to receive more than $850,000 from the 2007 NCMO).
The motion generated considerable debate, with all speakers agreeing that WMU is a beloved and cherished organization in BSCNC life. Several speakers who opposed to the motion criticized WMU-NC's leadership and its Executive Board, which one said had "messed up." After a number of speakers pro and con, the motion was defeated by a substantial but not overwhelming margin, leaving WMU-NC to rely entirely on its reserves and a revival of its "Heck-Jones" offering, beginning in 2008.
Convention seeks "Great and Wondrous Things"
Despite the appearance that the BSCNC might be fragmenting in some ways, business went on. Rick Speas (pstor of Old Town Baptist in Winston-Salem) was elected president, Leland Kerr (Director of Missions for the Wilmington Association) was elected first vice president, and Phil Ortego (pastor of Scotts Hill Baptist in Wilmington) was elected first vice president.
A series of speakers promoted various aspects of the convention theme, "Great and Wondrous Things." Executive director Milton Hollifield recalled difficulties early Baptists faced, and how they reached out to each other to build associations and conventions. Guest preacher Jim Henry, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, called for unity. Outgoing president Stan Welch called for the Convention to have higher expections, and Mark Harris, in the convention sermon, called for messengers to "rebuild the walls" of the BSCNC even as Nehemiah had led returning exiles to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Harris, hoarse from his exhortations, extended an altar call Tuesday evening, and hundreds responded.
The BSCNC is somewhat lighter and walking a narrower road, but gave every indication that it intends to march onward on with high hopes for a more cohesive future.
As moderates continue their gradual disengagement with the Convention, those hopes may well be realized.
[Photo courtesy of BSCNC. More BSCNC photos from the annual session available here].
22 comments:
Nancy Walker said:
"No matter your vote today I will be a witness in the world for love, compassion and reconciliation."
Jude said:
"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jesus said:
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden."
Hmmmmm, sure sounds like Jesus liked narrow doctrinal parameters to me!
Mark Osgatharp
Wynne, Arkansas
Hmmmmm - It seems Mark, that you are indicating that all that are leaving the BSCNC are the worst of sinners, and that this will be good for the BSCNC as they will be more holy.
You sir, live in a sad world, oh, and I see you also do not live in our state. Maybe your state could use your wisdom, there must be sinners there too.
Paul - Hudson, NC
Tony did you mention that Myers Park hadn't sent a messenger to the Convention in 8yrs or that they only gave $250 to the Convention thru an endowment I believe....
Why show up now?
Also, hope anonymus will grow up and put their name on the comment and quit cussing like a spoiled child.
Friends,
The purpose of a blog is to provide a safe space for civilized discussions. I've deleted several comments on this blog because they majored on cussing and/or name-calling rather than anything substantive. That doesn't contribute anything positive to the discussion.
Let's please be respectful of each other, even when we have widely different opinions on some matters.
Tony
On Mark Osgatharp's comment above, consider this passage: "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them'" (Luke 15:1-2, TNIV).
The language about tax collectors and sinners flocking to Jesus and about Jesus welcoming these folks and eating with them indicates Jesus formed close associations with those considered the most immoral persons of that society. In a couple of other places similar phrasing tells us that Jesus was "a friend" of those considered the most immoral (Mat. 11:19; Luke 7:34).
Hmmm, sure sounds like Jesus broadened the parameters of those whom godly people should welcome as friends.
I do not claim to have all the answers on how the followers of Christ appropriately follow Jesus' example of welcoming as friends those considered the most immoral. However, I do know that, when Jesus said the greatest commandment includes loving one's neightbor, he did not say, "except when your neighbor is gay." Baptists generally have done a lousy job of loving gay people. Given our lousy record in this area I don't see how we have any right to sit in judgment on another church making efforts to follow Jesus' example of welcoming those considered by many others to be immoral.
Maybe you think Myers Park Baptist goes too far to one extreme in welcoming gay persons. But most of the rest of Baptists go too far in to the other extreme by expressing hatred toward homosexuals. I just don't see how one set of Baptists that gets it wrong one way rightly sits in judgment of a church that they think gets it wrong another way.
Besides, I still haven't figured out how we can justify kicking out gay-friendly churches without also kicking out glutton-friendly churches, gossip-friendly churches, greed-friendly churches, racist-friendly churches, etc., etc. And if we start kicking out churches that are friendly to other types of sinners then there woon't be any churches left in the convention.
David - I do not see how you could possibly say Baptists "hate" gays. Even when the resolution passed concerning those churches who accept and promote homosexual behavior, no one denied that homosexuals were in need of the Gospel. The resolution even pointed out the need these individuals had for Christian love and that churches should minister to them accordingly. The BSCNC has stated many times the need for churches to open their doors to those homosexuals who wanted to learn the Word of God, repent of their sins and turn towards Christ.
Myers Park, however, has repeatedly pushed an agenda of welcoming openly and unrepentant homosexuals into their membership and leadership. They are not interested in helping these people turn from the sin of homosexuality, rather they are content to let these people live as they want and pretend to be Christians. I am sorry, but you can't have it both ways. Either you turn from your sin and turn towards Jesus or you turn to your sin and away from Jesus. The problem here is that these people want to change doctrine to remove the "sin" aspect of homosexuality. The problem is that they don't think homosexuality IS a sin.
Yes, Jesus associated with some of the most despised people of His time, but He also called on them to repent and turn away from their sins. I don't recall ever having read where Jesus broke bread with tax collectors, prostitutes or any other sinner where He condoned their behavior. Please show me where Myers Park has ever asked any homosexual to turn from their sinful lifestyle and repent. I have not seen any evidence of them ever considering it. No, it sounds to me like they were spoiling for a fight when they came to the Convention, especially when you consider that: 1) they had not sent a messenger to the Convention in 8 years, 2) they "self-reported" their violation of the BSCNC policy, with Convention officials even stating that no one else had complained about Myers Park, and 3) they sent a professing homosexual to represent their church in front of the Convention.
Do you honestly think that ANY institution which calls itself Christian can accept an openly unrepentant sinner who publicly and loudly refuses to turn from their sin into their membership and even elevate them to leadership positions? What message is that institution sending to those they are supposed to be training in the Word of God? Why do you and others expect the BSCNC to go against the very teachings they promote to the world by accepting a church that refuses to call a sin a sin? How can ANY Baptist church call on others to repent of ANY sin when they turn a blind eye (or, in the case of Myers Park, open their arms) to those who refuse to even acknowdge they ARE sinning?
No, if anything, I think Baptist churches have gone out of their way to not only love gays and other sinners, but to MINISTER to such folks. Ministry involves getting the sinner to acknowledge they have sinned and helping them turn from that sin and stay away from it. It might also be helpful for you to remember that it was the gays, NOT the church, who started this current fight. Had homosexuals not infiltrated leadership positions in other denominations and been instrumental in changing policy and, in some cases doctrine, none of this would even be an issue now. But the homosexual activists DID make toppling religious entities their top priority. Their agenda is to CHANGE Christian doctrine to no longer call their behavior "sin", and to squash any and all dissenting views concerning their lifestyle. Look at what is going on now in Canada, where pastors can no longer read passages of the bible pertaining to homosexuality for fear of being hit with "hate speech" crimes. The problem here in NC and the rest of the country is that Southern Baptists have drawn a line in the sand over the homosexuality issue and as a result, much like the Boy Scouts, the homosexual activists have targeted them for their beliefs.
To some of your other points, which BSCNC churches, specifically, promote racism? Which promote gluttony? Which promote greed? I have been a Southern Baptist all of my life and I have never once heard a pastor or anyone else tell people they should be racist. I have never seen a communion table that looked like the buffet at Golden Corral. I have never heard a church tell it's members to withold money from the poor and squirrel it away in their Roth IRA. I am curious to hear about where these Baptist churches you have experienced this type of doctrine are, exactly. I suspect that ANY church, particularly a Southern Baptist church, who espoused some of the things you have accused Baptists of being would not only be exposed immediately, but would be castigated across the country. I imagine ANY church openly promoting some of those views would also be immediately rebuked by the BSCNC, SBC and any and every other major Christian organization.
While Mr. Cartledge and I disagree on many things, I applaud his efforts to keep discussions here civil and focused. I would caution you, however, to think before you accuse Baptists of "hating" gays or anyone else and before you accuse us of being racist, gluttonous hypocrites.
Perhaps you might read 2 Peter 2:
"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber."
David,
Also read this said by Jesus to the woman caught in adultery:
10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Notice Jesus told the woman to go and "leave her life of sin".
David I was born with many temptations just like you. Some are good and some are bad. Just because I am tempted by something does that give me a right to do it.
I was born that way you know.
Also, why do you say the Convention kicked them out. They have been out of the Convention for some time. Why show up when you haven't given or sent messengers to the Convention in 8 years.
Hi
I am Esfandiar Khodaee from Iran
I am very interested to have a freind outside Iran I am The director of a high school in city Doroud province Luristan
my website: http://iranpaper.blogspot.com/
In response to Jamie Steele (and I appreciate your willingness to give your name), I never advocated giving in to temptation. On the contrary, I encourage resistance to temptation.
As to your assertion that the BSCNC did not kick Myers Park out because they had already left, if that were true then action by neither the executive committee nor the full convention would have been necessary.
Sure Myers Park has been only nominally involved in the BSCNC for years. I think it is clear that this church turned itself in under the policy adopted last year because they wanted to take a stand on an issue about which they obviously have strong convictions. This is the right of that church whether or not the majority agrees with their stand.
To both Jamie Steele and anonymous, I think you're missing my main point, which is no doubt due to my own lack of communication skill. Jesus welcomed the worst of sinners into his life as his friends. Sure he desired for those sinners to change. The entire Christian life is about a glorious transformation process (see 2 Cor. 3:18).
One of our struggles is how we rightly welcome the worst of sinners to join the rest of us in a life long process of change. Despite what you say, anonymous, I think the posture that most Baptists have taken toward homosexuals is one of hatred. One of the messengers who discussed the Myers Park motion said, "I have friends who are sinners" and then he went on to say, essentially, that he was glad that he is not like them. The words of that messenger sounded a lot like the self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee rather that that of the tax collector (publican) in Luke 18:9-14. While the words of this messenger on the convention floor were hateful, they were mild compared to the hatefulness expressed toward gays that I have heard from other NC Baptists. We have been hateful toward homosexuals and hatefulness is not welcoming.
On the other hand, as you say, anonymous, Myers Park is very accomodating of gay persons. You believe their approach goes too far in the opposite direction of the hatefulness I describe above. Maybe you're right. Yet, Myers Park is struggling with the same issue you identify. You say that homosexuals need the gospel and they need Christian love and they need to be ministered to. Steve Shoemaker said that Myers Park arrived at their method of achieving these goals after much prayer and study. You obviously disagree with their conclusions. But since the overwhelming majority of the rest of us have a lousy record of reaching gays are we in any place to take such radical action against a congregation that does so in a way with which we may be uncomfortable? Should we take such harsh action on a matter when the truth is few if any of us have really figured it out?
Anonymous, you ask me, "Do you honestly think that ANY institution which calls itself Christian can accept an openly unrepentant sinner who publicly and loudly refuses to turn from their sin into their membership and even elevate them to leadership positions?" We in fact do exactly this. Witness the overweight persons recieved into membership and ordained in Baptist churches. My guess is that a pretty good case could be made for some other sins that we treat likewise, but gluttony is easy here.
And, anonymous, are you really trying to make the case that NC Baptist congregations have not been friendly toward gluttons, greedy persons and/or racists? You can't be serious. Yes, I can name specific churches that have been affirming of those who have practiced these sins. I won't do it, but I sure can.
But you did not address my basic point with your request that I name churches that promote the sins listed above. I said that I don't know how the BSCNC can justify booting churches that affirm some sins without booting churches that affirm other sins. By defending Baptist churches against the particular sins I listed and saying that churches affirming them would be "exposed immediately, . . . castigated across the country [and]rebuked by the BSCNC, SBC and any and every other major Christian organization" , you seem to imply that denominational entities should be the sin police of local congregations. I hope I'm wrong about that. I hope you have a greater respect for the Baptist distinctive of the autonomy of the local congregation than thIS.
Ms. Walker is not asking the Baptists of North Carolina to accept homosexuals as sinners - she is asking them to repent of believing that homosexuality is a sin.
Therefore all this rhetoric about love and compassion toward sinners is irrelevant to the issue.
All real Baptists believe in showing love and compassion toward all sinners. No real Baptist believes in putting a stamp of approval on any sin.
Mark Osgatharp
Wynne, Arkansas
Dr. Cartledge,
Thank you for deleting those comments. I was going to comment this am, but after seeing those comments I decided not to do so. I figured that you had not been able to look at you blog yet. I do thank you for that stand.
Blessings,
Tim
David,
I would like to ask you this question, Do you think homosexuality is a sin? And, do you think homosexuals can change?
Apparently you must because you list homosexuality with gluttony and other sins. So, if you do, don't you think Myers Park is doing a dis-service to homosexuals by giving them a half gospel. Isn't their greatest need the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And don't take this as a rebuke to you. My heart is in the right place. Our church this past year hosted Tim Wilkins (a former homosexual) at a confernce, in which 1,500 people showed up. Tim is a good man whom God has changed. He has a great message.
At this conference several of the leaders of Faith in America came. Google them if you don't know whom I am talking about. Some of the men have been on CNN and Fox recently. After the Conf. Tim and I personally took them out to eat and to talk.
One of the men said, "I never dreamed i would be eating with and talking friendly with Baptist preachers."
We spent a lot of time talking about homosexuality and the Bible. I will not share specifics but we "shared the truth in love". I gave one of the leaders "THe Case for Christ" book and he has read it. I still pray for them. So I am not "mean" to homosexuals, but and there is always a but.
These men, as Tim Wilkins said, need a relationship with Jesus first. Work on that relationship first. Adam had a relationshp with God before Eve ever came on the scene. This is the key to life.
My point is this. As a preacher and a North Carolina Baptist a line has to be drawn somewhere on this issue. As much as I would like to bunch all sins together like you mention.
All sin doesnt' have the same consequences. It does as far as sotieriology but not when it comes to emotional, physical and relational damage, it doesn't.
Trust me when I say I have seen first hand the damage homosexuality can do to a family and people who give in to the false assumption that "I can not change."
I am not talking about a gay man, changing and dating a woman. Some men may never feel attracted to a person of the oppostie sex. That still doesn't make homosexual acts OK in God's eyes according to the Bible, in my opinion.
thanks dear Tony for your precious comment on my weblog.
I will link to your weblog in IRAN PAPER.
As I concluded from your comment you are from Armenia. Is that true?
I look forward for closer relationship
excuse me again I just found you are from US
thank you waiting for closer relationship
According to the online edition of the Biblical Recorder News, Nancy Walker said:
"It's not a lifestyle, it 's an orientation. It's who God made me. I would consider it a sin to live other than who God made me."
The prophet Isaiah said:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
Mark Osgatharp
Wynnne, Arkansas
When Jesus sent the disciples out on mission in Mat. 10 he instructed them, in part, to "be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (v. 16 TNIV). In my opinion the BSCNC did not follow this advice in its action against Myers Park. The wiser course would have been to let that church answer to God for its actions rather than answering to a body of Baptists. The best way to accomplish this would have been voting down last year's proposal that opened the door to Myers Park's appeal.
You may have seen the Barna research released recently that Dr. Cartledge blogged about not too long ago. A survey of 16-29 year olds indicates that 91% of non-Christian young people see Christians as generally unloving and unwilling to work with people because they see Christians as anti-gay. Kinnaman, who is I beleive the president of the Barna research group, said, in light of this poll, that the church's response to the anti-gay perception that is out there may well be the defining response of the church in the next decade.
Last year the BSCNC made national headlines by adopting a "rigid anti-gay policy" in the words of at least one major national news outlet. This year we made national news with only one issue, the same issue, by booting a gay friendly church.
Kicking out Myers Park doesn't help the BSCNC. On the contrary this action unnecessarily does further damage to the Christian reputation among not only gay people but with more than 9 out of 10 non-Christian young people, ages 16-29.
For three years in a row the BSCNC has made national headlines with anti-gay actions. In light of the recent Barna research this has made the BSCNC the poster child of how NOT to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Do we really want to reach gay people and young people? If we do, then this is NOT the way to do it.
We didn't change anybody's mind in that convention hall, and we knew we wouldn't. And the ripples of another anti-gay action went across the country giving non-Christian young people who already see us as generally unloving because they see us as anti-gay more reason to think that way. There is no way this is being as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Had you heard? Ga Baptist at their convention took this action.
"Just two days ago in their annual meeting, messengers passed a resolution against blogging because of the divisiveness that results."
I read this on another blog.
Troy
Tony . . .
Was anyone else taken aback by the comments of the Convention's attorney during the debate on the WMU amendment at Wednesday morning's session?
To begin with, he was given the floor while other messengers were waiting to speak, and when no messenger in debate had asked a legal question which required clarification.
Then, in his remarks, he cited the potential bankruptcies of some Roman Catholic dioceses as a reason to vote against the amendment.
Here are my questions:
1. Isn't it true that those dioceses are in that predicament due to their cover-up of sexual misconduct of priests?
2. Isn't it true that Roman Catholic priests are predominantly male?
3. Would it be fair to say that, if a messenger hearing the attorney's statement drew the conclusion that voting for the budget amendment was also a vote to endanger our children and bankrupt our convention, that would be an unfortunate misunderstanding of his intent?
The BSC leadership advanced its proposal and its opposition to the inclusion of WMU in the NCMO on the basis of the principle that no entity not directly connected to the convention should receive NCMO funds, because there would be no accountability regarding the use of those funds.
I have four questions:
1. Does the Executive Committee and Board of Directors consider the 100 Baptist associations to be "directly connected" to the convention?
2. In what sense are the associations "accountable" to the convention?
3. Will an association have to submit its hiring decisions to the Executive Director/Treasurer for approval before receiving its share of the NCMO?
4. If the answers to the above questions are "no", then it appears to me that the principle advanced by the BSC leadership is violated 100 times by their own proposal. So, what is so wrong about violating that same principle the 101st time?
I look forward to responses from other readers.
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