Funding the Fellowship

by T.C. Pinckney                                                                                       Vol. IV, No. 8, November 1991

At 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, 12 November, Dr. Raymond Spence will present the report of the Committee on Denominational Relationships. Section 1 of that report deals with the "Cooperative Baptist Fellowship" (CBF). While the report says, "... we do not believe a formal relationship [between the BGAV and the Fellowship] is needed or timely," it goes on to recommend, "That the Baptist General Association of Virginia authorize the Treasurer to receive and disburse funds that are designated by churches to Cooperative Missions, Incorporated (the financial entity of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship)."

Everyone should understand exactly what is recommended. No funds for the Fellowship appear in the budget. The recommendation is that if churches or individuals designate funds to the CBF, they may send the money to the state treasurer who would then forward the donation to CBF.

One must ask why this arrangement is proposed. A 29 cent stamp will carry a check to Atlanta (where CBF is located) as well as to Richmond. Why should anyone prefer this awkward route rather than the straightforward one of mailing direct?

While it would be convenient for some churches to send one check to Richmond covering several causes, it seems clear that this first and seemingly small measure is simply the prelude to a series of ever more significant steps leading to a formal BGAV-CBF relationship.

Now is the time for Virginia Baptists to decide whether they are to remain Southern Baptists or become something else. The CBF is obviously building a new denomination, a denomination far different from what Southern Baptists have always been. In the end it makes little difference whether the BGAV aligns itself with the CBF in one fell swoop or in tiny increments. Those who choose to go with the Fellowship will cease to be Southern Baptists and will join the ranks of the sideline denominations who have replaced their once strong stand on "Thus saith the Lord!" with the pitiable mewing of "Well, that's what seems right to me."

Virginia Baptists should heed Elijah's words in I Kings 18:21, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" If the SBC is doing God's will, follow it. If the CBF, follow it.

For several years many pastors and laymen have not found it necessary to make a decision regarding the controversy. That is no longer possible due to the actions of the liberals. A Virginia church now MUST choose whether to participate in the liberal Virginia Plan. If no formal church vote is taken and conveyed to the state treasurer, your contributions WILL go to the Virginia Plan. That was forced upon Virginia churches last year over the arguments and votes of conservatives. At this state convention the liberal state control group is forcing you to decide whether to help fund the seminary in Richmond; whether to largely disfranchise conservative churches; and whether to facilitate CBF funding.

Churches are urgently asked to send every authorized messenger to Salem to vote against this recommendation at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, 12 November. PLEASE STAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH ADJOURNMENT Wednesday afternoon. This is an absolutely vital convention!