Other State Results

by T.C. Pinckney                                                                                      Vol. IV, No. 9, December 1991

Alabama reelected Rick Lance president, a theological conservative but middle of the roader.

Arizona messengers unanimously adopted a budget which increases the Cooperative Program (CP) percentage by one percent.

Arkansas elected a full slate of moderate officers and passed a resolution against abortion on demand.

Florida conservatives swept the convention as was the case in California, Colorado, and Indiana. In Indiana a resolution reaffirms cooperation in missions through the CP and resolved not to receive any direct financial support from Baptist Cooperative Missions or other mission agencies "in competition with the Cooperative Program."

Georgia conservatives failed to unseat the incumbent president by just 68 votes but elected all four vice presidents.

Iowa messengers voted a one percent increase to the SBC Cooperative Program.

Kansas-Nebraska voted a 0.25% increase for the SBC CP and passed a resolution affirming the sanctity of human life and opposing abortion "except in extremely rare cases."

Kentucky elected moderate officers. No conservatives ran.

Louisiana: The moderate candidate for president was elected by 35 votes: 985-950.

Maryland-Delaware elected moderate state officers but a strong conservative as president of the pastors' conference. Messengers deleted $3,600 for the BJCPA and adopted 224-129 a resolution affirming the Baptist Faith and Message. Defeated 210-169 was a constitutional amendment which would have increased representation for churches giving money to the convention's work through channels other than the CP. In debate Fred Bealfeld, a lay messenger, said, "This is the first step to seceding from the Southern Baptist Convention."

In Mississippi the conservative lost by EIGHT votes, but the pastor elected president is a theological conservative who will not work against conservatives. Among resolutions was one opposing all forms of gambling.

Missouri messengers by a vote of 888 to 743 elected their first conservative president, Gerald Davidson, pastor of First Church, Arnold, who said, "I am unapologetically an inerrantist, a conservative, but I am not one to be reflected as a wild-eyed radical." The convention also deleted from the budget $15,000 for the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs by a 890-700 vote and $3,000 for Americans United for Separation of Church and State on a show of ballots vote. Messengers voted down 686 to 481 an amendment to allow churches to affiliate with more than one Baptist denomination.

New England retained a $200 allocation to the BJCPA on a 53-36 vote and passed a resolution opposing abortion on demand.

New York increased the CP percentage by 0.25%.

In North Carolina Pastor Billy Cline, the conservative presidential candidate, lost by 142 votes, 2,583-2,441, which represents progress for conservatives. For the first time recently there was only one conservative nominated for president, a major improvement. A motion to send $30,000 to Ruschlikon Seminary passed. After lengthy debate a resolution affirming the new seminary in Richmond was tabled.

Ohio messengers overwhelmingly voted down a budget amendment that would have sent $3,000 to the BJCPA (it only received 13 votes) and increased the CP percentage to 41.5%, 0.25% above last year.

Oklahoma elected all officers and passed seven resolutions without opposition. Resolutions included one against abortion and one supporting the CP.

In South Carolina conservatives for the first time elected the president (1,455 to 1,315) and first vice president. They also voted 2,011 to 1,973 to sue Furman University for declaring itself independent. The budget allocates 60% to the state, 40% to the SBC.

Tennessee elected a conservative president for the first time.

The Texas convention was in Waco, Baylor's home turf, and voting reflected it. Registration totalled over 10,800. The "compromise" between the state convention and Baylor (which was really a surrender to Baylor) passed 5,976-4,714. Pastor Ed Young, Second Baptist, Houston, proposed the Baylor issue be submitted to arbitration by three individuals chosen by Billy Graham. At the mention of Graham's name there were catcalls, laughter, and jeers by those supporting Baylor. The president and two vice presidents elected had all been endorsed by the Baylor Alumni Association. Other votes followed the same pattern with conservatives losing most by around 1,200 votes. On the other hand, conservatives increased their strength by some 3,000 votes, and if that level is maintained and Baylor is not an issue in future conventions, conservatives may do well. The convention passed a resolution urging Texas Baptists to oppose elective abortions.

West Virginia raised contributions to the SBC Cooperative Program 0.5%.

[Above compiled from BP and phone calls.]