Will Virginia Go More Liberal?

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                     Vol. VII, No. 9, November 1994

Point One: The Budget. Since at least 1988 the BGAV budget has moved every year in a more liberal, less-supportive-of-the-SBC direction. The budget upon which messengers will vote on 15-16 November in Salem continues this negative direction.

Without going into all the complexities, let us note that the 1991 budget introduced the "World Missions Budget" section, replacing what had always been the "Southern Baptist Convention Missions Budget" section. The name change clearly indicated a shift away from the Southern Baptist Convention. The budget structure verified and emphasized that shift.

Always previously all the money in the SBC Missions Budget section went to the SBC. But in that 1991 budget for the first time only half of the money was sent to the SBC budget; the other half was distributed to a number of individual line items. Now most of these line items were SBC agencies, but the pattern was being established that Virginia would control how that money is spent. Also, several non-SBC organizations were included, some for the first time, some moved over from the state section of the budget. Examining that budget made it unmistakably clear that further anti-SBC moves could be expected in the future.

The 1992 budget introduced only one change, but it was very significant: inclusion ,of the new liberal seminary in Richmond.

The 1991 and 1992 budgets allocated 93.21 % and 93.24% respectively of the money in the World Missions section to SBC causes. But the 1993 budget dropped that to 82%, the 1994 budget decreased it a little more to 81.5%, and the proposed 1995 budget slashes SBC again to 72.12%.

You are urged to come to Salem to vote against this budget.

Point Two: Messenger Representation. Always in the past the number of messengers authorized to a church has been based upon the total Cooperative Program gifts of that church, both the dollars kept by the state and those going to the SBC. In the 1991 and 1993 state meetings constitutional amendments were proposed which would have based authorized messengers only on money contributed to Virginia state causes. Any constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority (66.67%) to pass. In 1991 the motion failed on a 62.39% affirmative vote. In 1993 it failed with 60.5%.

This year a similar motion will be presented but with a new wrinkle. The dollar amounts per messenger are reportedly to be lowered so that most churches would continue to be authorized about the same number of messengers.

Why does this amendment keep coming back? Obviously it is because the liberal cabal which dominates BGAV decisions wishes to undercut the freedom of conservative churches to be comfortable regarding the use of their Cooperative Program gifts and wants to destroy any possibility that conservatives may eventually be able to effect change in Virginia. This group talks a lot about inclusiveness and freedom, but when churches begin to exercise the prerogatives of freedom, they seek to punish them, to undercut their potential ability to bring about change through the historic, democratic, Baptist voting process.

The proposed amendment would be pernicious in several respects if passed. First, it would restrict the freedom of Virginia Baptist churches. Second, it would be another major step in separating the BGAV from our historic relationship with the SBC and moving Virginia toward some other alignment, whether with the CBF, the American Baptists, or some other entity. Third, it would cause even greater division within the BGAV, quite possibly even leading to the rupture of our state convention. Fourth, this division would inevitably spill over into local churches and local associations as they tried to deal with the situation.

Don't be fooled by the rhetoric you may hear or read. This amendment has the potential to destroy the BGAV as we have known it! Come to Salem and vote against it.

Point Three: The Elections. Those who read the previous Banner know that John Simms, Bob Jackson, and Don Lasley will be nominated for BGAV president, first vice president, and second vice president respectively. Each of these men is a Bible believing, evangelistic, experienced, dependable Christian.

For President: John is a retired lawyer, served two terms on the Foreign Mission Board 1985-1993 (including being a member of the Administrative Committee for four years and on the Presidential Search Committee 1992-93), is a deacon and Adult Sunday School Department director at First Baptist Church, Roanoke (which gives more money than any other church in Virginia to the Cooperative Program).

For First VP: Bob Jackson is Director of Missions, New River Association, since 1983. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lexington Theological Seminary and previously served churches in the Martinsburg, WV area. He and his wife, Sandra, have three children and are members of First Baptist, Galax. Bob was on the 1987 SBC Committee on Committees and has served since June 1989 on the SBC Executive Committee. He and his wife are committed to missions and have taken three mission trips to Eastern Europe plus Sandra has been to India. Sandra is part-time director of a crisis pregnancy center in Galax.

For Second VP: Don Lasley pastors First Baptist, Damascus, which contributes 18% to the Cooperative Program and 25% to all missions. Certainly this must be one of the highest percentages in the state. Don has served on the SBC Tellers Committee, is Lebanon Association vice moderator, chairs the associational Evangelism Committee, and is past chairman of the associational Christian Life Committee.

Notice the emphasis upon missions among these nominees. Each of these men has put into practice with their own money and time their commitment to taking the word of God to the lost. Each has experience at the local church, associational, and national SBC levels. Each is committed to Christ, to their families, to their local churches, and to the lost.

Come and vote on each of these three points Tuesday and Wednesday, 15-16 November in Salem. The elections are held Wednesday afternoon. DON'T JUST VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND LEAVE. STAY AND VOTE FOR FIRST AND SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, it only takes about another hour and a half. If necessary, pastors, get someone else to conduct your Wednesday evening service. The annual state meeting only comes once a year. We need to be there voting our convictions right up to the end. Don't get discouraged, even if we're losing. Hang in there faithfully.