Saturday, November 29, 1997
Local pastors react to conservatives separating
from BGC
From staff and wire reports
Two local Southern Baptist pastors expressed sorrow that a
group of conservative Baptists has opted to separate from the
moderate-dominated Baptist General Convention of Texas.
"If it's a matter of conscious for them, then it's certainly
their right as a Baptist," said Rev. Philip Christopher,
pastor of the 3,000 member First Baptist Church in Abilene. "But
I think it's unfortunate."
The 30-member board of Southern Baptists of Texas voted unanimously
Nov. 20 in Dallas to move forward with the split, the Rev. Dee
Slocum of Lubbock told the <I>Fort Worth Star-Telegram.<I>
The move followed a meeting of about 400 conservatives in Austin
to discuss forming a separate group, he said.
Slocum said conservative pastors and laymen will ask their
congregations for financial support to help form the new state
convention.
"We feel like we are being forced into this; we take no
pleasure in it," said Slocum, pastor of Highland Baptist
Church.
The conservatives decided to move forward with the split after
moderates approved changes at a recent state convention in Fort
Worth that they fear might move the Baptist General Convention
away from the conservative sway of the national Southern Baptist
Convention, he said.
Christopher said he believes the conservatives, in particular,
reacted to the passage of the Effectiveness and Efficiency Committee
report.
"In this report, what we were attempting to do was reach
Texas for Christ," he said.
Christopher said the report focused on starting new churches,
utilizing Texas Baptist institutions such as colleges, and emphasizing
multi-cultural ministries.
"The intent of the report was inclusive, enhancing the
ability of people to work together," the pastor said. "That's
where I tend to scratch my head that they could perceive those
efforts as anti-Southern Baptist.
"I'm really sorry that they feel that way."
About 5,000 Southern Baptist churches are members of the Baptist
General Convention. Slocum said churches can align with either
or both Baptist groups.
Rev. Rudy Fambrough, pastor of the Ridgemont Baptist Church
in Abilene, agreed the churches have that "right" to
split and no one can stop them, but said it was a mistake.
"I think it just destroys the unity," Fambrough said.
"I don't appreciate (their decision) because we're trying
to present a unified front to the world.
"We've got enough problems trying to present Jesus Christ
to the world. All this other stuff is immaterial. If a person
doesn't believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they've missed
the boat."
Fambrough, who calls himself an ultra-conservative, said he
believes that the fight between conservatives and moderates "boils
down to politics and a power struggle."
Christopher agreed.
"It's not about the Bible," he said. "It's about
power and control. They play on people's fears."
If conservative groups leave, Fambrough said he also believes
the Baptist General Convention will slide gradually to the left.
"It's going to become ultraliberal," he said. "When
we become too much like the world, it's going to take away the
salt and the light. I hate to see it."
Christopher, however, doesn't believe there will be "liberal
drift" of the Baptist General Convention.
State Baptist Convention executive director William M. Pinson
Jr. said his group will continue to try and reconcile with the
splinter group.
"While some believe a division would be best, I am not
one of those," he said. "If a new state convention is
formed, it will not be because (Baptist General Convention of
Texas) leaders encouraged it."
The Bible is a point of contention for the conservative group,
which claims the moderates are unaccepting of the Bible's authority.
"While we may not agree on the interpretation of the Bible
in every regard, we agree on essentials," Pinson said. "We
believe the Bible is truth and the sole authority for faith and
practice."
The Rev. Charles Wade, outgoing president of the Baptist General
Convention of Texas, said he was disappointed that conservatives
plan to break away.
"I think it's sad," Wade said. "It wasn't necessary."
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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