Letter of a CBF Supporter

                                                                                                                                                                          Vol. XV, No. 5, May 2002

[Introduction: Below is a message sent by one “Cooperative Baptist Fellowship” supporter to another. The letter explains an earlier letter by the same writer. As you read the letter, think about what it tells you of CBF views and actions regarding homosexuality, the integrity of CBF leaders, and the beliefs of liberal pastors. I have inserted some clarifications in square brackets. T. C. Pinckney, editor]

Rob,

I just looked to verify that they did print the entirety of my letter. That's a relief. My point isn't and has not been that the majority of the organization [CBF: Cooperative Baptist Fellowship] approves of homosexuality. My point is that historically (for the big, whopping ten years we've been around) the CBF tent has been large enough to include those who unashamedly endorse homosexuality. Likewise, people and congregations who are welcoming and affirming are not the "fringe" of the CBF. As Roger [Roger Moran, research director of the conservative Missouri Baptist Laymen’s Association] accurately points out (who'd believe I'm endorsing the research of a fundamentalist???), pro-gay clergy have served on the Coordinating Council since the organization's inception.

I think that the current leadership of the CBF has been rather disingenuous on this issue in an attempt to paint the organization in a more conservative light. Now that there's more money and power in being conservative, it seems to me that the leadership is trying to distance the organization from people and churches that have been a part of the CBF from the beginning. I am particularly distressed that Charles Wade [Executive Director of the BGCT, Baptist General Convention of Texas], in his fit of euphoria over the narrow vote to perpetuate the new hiring policy, failed to point out that – unlike in the BGCT – pro-gay churches are still fully participating members of the CBF.

I hope I haven't caused you folks in Missouri any difficulty. I am simply tired of the culture of theological deceit that seems to have permeated Baptist life since before the fundamentalist coup. So many of my peers talk about how they agree with my theology, but they're afraid that if their churches knew what they believed they'd be fired. Likewise, I've heard people complain over and over again that they wish they could really tell their congregations everything they learned in seminary. That distresses me. If we were all more honest about what we believed, the rest of the world would not think we were as irrelevant as we are rapidly becoming.

Regards,