SBCV Convention Report

by A. C. Smith                                                                                                              Vol. VIII, No. 10, Nov./Dec. 1995

Messengers to the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV) voted overwhelmingly to call a full-time executive director but delayed starting a new state convention. Terry Harper, pastor of Colonial Heights Baptist Church offered the motion that the SBCV declare itself a state convention "on November 7, 1995." The motion failed 150 to 60. Later in the meeting messengers voted to instruct the new Executive Director of the SBCV and its executive committee to determine the process to become a state convention.

The vote to hire a new executive director indicates that the state organization, which was formed three years ago, may be headed towards state convention status. Howard Baldwin, a Richmond evangelist, has been serving as the SBCV's interim, part-time executive director. Baldwin, due to his evangelistic call and schedule, is not interested in being the full-time executive director.

In the debate over starting a new state convention messengers spoke strongly for their positions, but there was a sense of love and unity in the debate.

"First I'd like to say, we must remember this is not an issue of salvation, of fellowship, but a matter of subjective judgment," said T. C. Pinckney, editor of the Baptist Banner and a proponent of voting to form a state convention at the meeting. "I'm in favor of our becoming a state convention, but I'll support the decision of the body enthusiastically, whichever way it goes."

Howard Baldwin attributed the sense of unity to the fact that in the SBCV people trust each other.

Some of those who argued against forming a new convention said they would not be going to the Baptist General Association of Virginia meeting, which was held on November 9 and 10 in Virginia Beach.

Conservatives have felt left out of the state convention due to past decisions such as support of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which is a "moderate" organization that many observers believe will become a separate national convention, and many other liberal groups such as the seminary in Richmond and Americans United. Also conservatives have been disappointed over the Baptist General Association of Virginia's failure to condemn homosexuality as a sin.

Messengers also heard a very encouraging budget report from Doyle Chauncey, SBCV treasurer. Because the SBCV revised its fiscal year during 1995, the report covered 13 months, from I October 1994 to 31 October 1995. The budget for that period was $105,000 while expenditures were only $83,407. Undesignated receipts totaled $185,042. Designated disbursements amounted to another $220,989 with $137,363 going to the SBC budget unrestricted; $49,859 to the Lottie Moon offering; and $24,762 to the Annie Armstrong offering. Undesignated funds were received from 93 churches and 31 individuals.

For the forthcoming year messengers approved a budget of $221,000 - more than double the previous budget of $105,000. These funds will he disbursed 35% to the SBC Cooperative Program budget and 65% for the SBCV budget. While not a matter of voting, it was explained that the SBCV executive committee intent is to increase the SBC percentage five points each year until in 1999 and beyond the SBC will receive 50% of undesignated SBC` receipts.

Churches may specify a different distribution plan if they so desire.