State Wrap 2010

by   T. C. Pinckney, editor, The Baptist Banner                                                                                   Vol. XXIV, No. 1, January 2011

Some Introductory Musings:

We humans have a seriously mistaken view of what is “normal.” Most or us confuse “normal” with pleasant, smooth, no problems. But life is not like that and never has been. Think back to the Garden of Eden. Even though Adam and Eve were literally walking with God every day, Satan’s appeal to pride found ready acceptance in willing hearts.

We are no different today. We should be thankful when problems are absent but recognize that problems are the real normal, whether we are thinking about international relations, jobs, family, health, or church.

And so it is with the SBC. The Conservative Resurgence is now largely behind us. That extended and critically important battle has been won. We can thank God for the victory and take a certain amount of satisfaction in it, but it would be foolish indeed to assume that all is now hunky-dory and we can all relax. Just try to name a time when humans were not servants of pride and Christ was not under attack. Do you really think that modern man is innately better than those millions who died in Noah’s flood? Than the Egyptians who enslaved the Hebrews and then pursued them into the midst of the Red Sea? Than the Pharisees and Romans who slew our Lord? Than the “churchmen” who tortured believers during the Inquisition? Than the nobility who abused the French people for centuries or the Jacobins who slew thousands on the guillotine? Than the Germans under Hitler? Or Russians under Stalin? Chinese under Mao? Jihadists today?

Yes, an essential theological victory has been won, but now is not a time to relax. Rather, we must ask “What next?” and gird ourselves for the approaching struggle.

So, can we discern what the next challenge(s) will be? Perhaps. Here are three possibilities. These were suggested to me as I called my friends in the various state conventions.

Great Commission Resurgence Task Force recommendations: Based on my contacts, there are two areas of concern.

First, what will be the results of the North American Mission Board revising the way it works and cancelling its donations to state conventions? In several “new work” states well over half the budget comes from NAMB, so elimination or major reductions in that monetary flow will require drastic changes in state staffing and organization. Will these changes be helpful or hurtful? No one knows or can anticipate because, so far, no one knows what the changes will be. We must wait to see what happens, but while we wait, we must pray for God’s guidance for the entire process.

Second, the GCRTF report establishes a second Southern Baptist giving track parallel to the Cooperative Program. It is called Great Commission Giving. Through it churches may specify the amount of money they send and to which causes it goes. In my judgment, this is exceedingly ill-conceived. The Cooperative Program is the lifeblood of the SBC. To open a channel that competes with the CP for church funding clearly threatens to undermine the CP and weaken the entire SBC.

Moreover, local churches are autonomous. They are and have always been free to send money in whatever amount they wish to whatever cause they choose. This “Great Commission Giving” track (GCG) seems to me to be nothing more than a device to soothe the consciences and reputations of certain mega-church pastors whose churches give only tiny percentages to the CP. (Note that the number of dollars may be large because of the huge size of such churches, but the percentages are only one to three percent. The pastors of such churches may be theologically correct and nice guys, but they are not really committed Southern Baptists. If they were, they would lead their churches to give at least 10% to the CP. I expect no good and much harm to come from the GCG alternative.

One contact summarized it well. He pointed out that to devise a system which motivates mega-churches but de-motivates the great majority of SBC churches is not wise. Another contact suggested our seminaries need to educate students about the SBC and the Cooperative Program.

At least seven states have formed or voted to form task forces to study how best to deal with the GCRTF changes: AL, CA, CO, NE, OK, SC, & PA-SJ.

Emergent/Emerging Pastors: Pastors of this ilk have questionable, sometimes fluid, theology and seek to appeal to the current culture rather than confront it with God’s Word. Because they have no fixed standard, it is impossible to categorize all of them together. but among them there are many who hold church small group meetings in bars, curse in the pulpit, see no Christian reason to abstain from alcohol, etc.

A few states mentioned growing numbers of such pastors, mostly young, sometimes with multiple tattoos, frequently feeling entitled to notoriety and influence, though they have accomplished little or nothing. They seem to know nil about the Conservative Resurgence and disregard or disparage those who took a stand for the Bible during the Resurgence. Because of their many differences and even disagreements, trying to characterize them is a bit like herding cats. But I trust you get the idea.

Pastoral leadership of this kind sometimes brings in large numbers but virtually never expounds God’s Word. If Southern Baptist churches call such pastors, the results will be disastrous. Now their churches may construct huge buildings, host very large numbers, and have lots of fun and enthusiasm, but all that simply precedes the descent to sheol.

Five Point Calvinists: Only a few state contacts mentioned this. Several others said they only knew of one or two in the state. But those who did say 5 pointers were moving in reported churches split, animosity between pastors, and decreasing outreach. It doesn’t have to be this way. Some five-pointers are amiable, humble, biblical, and missionary. Still, others arrogantly deride those who are not 5-pointers or who give invitations. We seem to be very early in this issue, but we should be alert. One contact opined that 5-pointers have a concerted intent to dominate the SBC

State Budgets:

Considering the poor national economy and SBC adoption of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report, which implies strongly that the North American Mission Board will cancel or readjust its agreements with state conventions, it is disappointing but not surprising that this year 25 states reduced their budgets for 2011. The percentage cuts are: TX-BGCT -13.5%, FL -10.53%, NM -10.36%, KN-NE -9.7%, NW -8.4%, OH -8%, SC -8%, OK -7%, AL -6.5%, NC -6%, PA-SJ -5.9%, MI -4.65%, CA -4.6%, VA-BGAV -4.6%, MN-WS -4%, AZ -3.3%, MS -3.2%, CO -2.3%, IN -2.15%, VA-SBCV -2%, UT-ID -1.8%, DK -1.2%, IA -1.2%, LA -1.2%, and GA 1.1%.

Nine states retained the same budgets: AK, AR, IL, KY, MD-DE, MT, MO, NV, and NY.

Last year 13 states raised their budgets, but this year only six did: TX-SBTC +2.55%, HW 1.7%, WV +1.66%, TN 1.14%, NE +1.1%, and WY 0.5%.

SBC Contributions:

In spite of the economy and prospective decreases in NAMB contributions, fourteen states increased the percentage of undesignated income going to the SBC Cooperative Program, compared to eleven last year. The 14 are: KY, 44.14% +6.14%, NE 21.75% +1.1%, IN 37.5% 1%, SC 41% +0.56%, DK 16% +0.5%, MN-WS 13.5% +0.5% (adding 0.5% per year until reaching 50%), NV 30% +0.5% (voted to go to 50% over the next 5 years), NC 35% +0.5%, VA-SBCV 50.5% +0.5%, CO 29.75% +0.25%, MO 37% +0.25%, MS 35.25% +0.25%, NY 28% +0.25%, and AR 42.57% +0.2%.

Twenty-four states kept the same SBC percentages: TX-SBTC 55%, IL 43.25%, AL 42.5%, GA and MD-DE 41%, OH 40.25%, FL 40% (but voted to move to 50% within 4 to 7 years), OK & TN 40% (TN committed to 50/50 not later than 2012/13), WV 38%, LA 36.49%, AK 33%, WY 32.5%, KN-NE 32%, HW 31.5%, NM 30.5%, CA 30%, AZ 26.05%, NW 25.5%, UT-ID 25%, MT 22%, TX-BGCT 21%, IA 20%. For VA-BGAV giving may be under any of four plans: #1 sends 34% to the SBC, #2 designates 28% for a combination of SBC and CBF causes, #3 gives nothing to the SBC, and fourth, a church may design its own plan.

Anticipating major cuts from the GCRTF impact on NAMB, one state, MI, decreased its CP percentage by 5.5% to 25%.

Resolution Roundup:

Previous readers of our State Wrap articles may recall that this section summarizes resolutions passed, lumping similar resolutions together under general headings. And each year, certain topics are addressed by several states. For example, in State Wrap 2009 the number of states passing resolutions on popular subjects was spread surprisingly evenly: 9,8,7,6,5, 4, 4, 3, 2, 2. This year the spectrum was quite different: 9, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2. Note: Topics addressed by only one state are not included in State Wrap.

In view of this year’s focus on the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report, it is not surprising that nine states passed resolutions affirming the Cooperative Program and encouraging churches to maintain and/or increase their CP giving. Of course, each resolution is unique. Therefore, and in view of the critical importance to missions, state conventions, and the SBC, I have quoted below sections of articles from six state meetings (in alphabetical order).

NC: “The Cooperative Program resolution ...acknowledged the value of concerted, cooperative ministries by churches to reach the people of North Carolina, the nation, and the world and resolved to embrace the Cooperative Program model as the most accountable, effective, and compelling method for fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.”

NW: “Recognizing that for 85 years God has used the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention to impact the world by equipping thousands of churches to fulfill God-sized dreams and accomplish God-sized tasks together, we challenge Northwest Baptists to continue their prayer and support of this blessing from God."

OK: "As Oklahoma Baptists, we believe the Cooperative Program stands as a trusted sacred effort and a stable means of financial stewardship whereby local congregations can extend their reach across Oklahoma, our nation, and the world to advance the Kingdom of God. We commend our churches for their consistent and generous support of the Cooperative Program and call on Oklahoma Baptist churches to make a renewed commitment to the Cooperative Program as a priority for investment and growth in the coming years. Furthermore, we affirm that designated gifts are to be given as a supplement to the Cooperative Program and not as a substitute for the Cooperative Program as the primary channel of cooperative missions and ministry by Oklahoma Baptist churches."

SBCV: (Two related resolutions.) 1. “Be it resolved that the churches of the SBCV and across the Southern Baptist Convention be encouraged to give at least 10% of their offerings to the Cooperative Program for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom upon the face of the earth.”

2. “ Whereas the SBCV fully embraces and affirms the Great Commission Resurgence in the S.B.C.,

     “Whereas the SBCV recognizes the urgency of fulfilling the Great Commission,

    “Therefore, Be it resolved the messengers of the SBCV challenge the SBCV churches to increase their Cooperative program giving by 0.25% yearly until 2020.”

TN: (Note: Not a resolution but related to this subject.) The TBC budget currently provides 60 percent of Cooperative Program receipts for Tennessee Baptist missions and ministry endeavors, while forwarding 40 percent to the Southern Baptist Convention for national and international missions and ministries. The recommendation approved by messengers begins the process of moving toward a 50/50 distribution to begin "no later than the 2012-2013 budget year and continue in a manner and over a time frame so as to enhance, not inhibit, the ministry of the TBC as well as the SBC."

The six-part recommendation said the specific plan for achieving the desired allocation would be determined by a proposed strategic planning team. It also called on the convention's Budget and Ministry Committee to “monitor the giving of TBC churches and the impact of adjusted percentage allocations through an appropriate subcommittee or other means."

WV: “Another resolution acknowledged that the Cooperative Program has enabled West Virginia Baptists to ‘reach our state, nation and world for Jesus Christ’ and that the Baptist Faith and Message ‘represents our common confession of our beliefs.’

“Messengers agreed to commit themselves ‘afresh to our common mission through the Cooperative Program’ and to live and proclaim ‘the glorious truths revealed in God's Word and eloquently stated’ in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.”

In addition to the states cited above, AL, IL, and NM passed similar resolutions.

Other topics addressed by multiple states are:

Anti-smoking: AL, LA, SBTC.

Support U.S. armed forces: AR, NW, OK.

Commit to biblical financial priorities: IL, NW, SC.

Condemn human trafficking: NW, OK, SBTC.

Oppose homosexuality in the military: AL, LA.

Oppose adding homosexuality to anti-discrimination legislation: AL, LA.

Anti-gambling: NM, SC.

Anti-abortion: NM, WV.

Prayer & ministry for orphans world-wide: NW, SBTC.

Immigration: OK, BGAV.

Items of Interest:

GA: Voted to disfellowship Druid Hills Baptist Church, Atlanta, because they have a female co-pastor.

IL: Welcomed 15 new churches.

KY: A report urged churches to increase CP gifts by at least 0.25% per year of undesignated gifts.

MO: Voted 753 to 199 to continue efforts to pursue a just recovery of the five breakaway entities.

NV: Voted to merge the state convention and four associations into one entity and over a 5 year period increase CP giving to the SBC from 30% to 50%.

NY: Challenged members to add 1,000 new churches, at least 45 each year.

NC: A motion called for state directors to adopt the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as the BSC doctrinal statement. Another motion asked for a study of alcohol use, especially regarding the funding of church plants, people in leadership, and hiring new personnel.

OH: Celebrated 27 church starts and additions and an 18% increase in baptisms.

PA-SJ: Is exploring a plan to divide the state into 4 regions with staff in each region. Each staff member would monitor/advise 15 churches.

VA-BGAV: Due to low CP contributions in 2010, the 2011 budget was cut 4.6%. The BGAV has had an Affinity Study Committee underway, and it presented recommendations to the annual meeting. In adopting recommendations of their Affinity Study Committee, Virginia Baptists committed themselves to “proactively seek out and invite our faith kin with shared missions-and-freedom callings to join us in affinity relationships” and to “expand our missions-and-freedom ministries deliberately and immediately, obediently and humbly.” The Affinity Study Committee was formed two years ago to develop a comprehensive response to the growing number of congregations from outside Virginia joining the BGAV. Many congregations are drawn by Virginia Baptists’ more moderate and flexible approach to missions and ministry in a process often described as affiliation by affinity, rather than by geography.

Virginia Baptists will “look for affinity partners at every crossroads of divine calling,” the committee report said. “We will channel our efforts specifically on missions and evangelism, church planting and congregational growth, disaster recovery and compassion ministries, and leadership development for God’s new world.”

[Note: Clearly a road sign along the route away from the SBC. T.C.P.]