Mark it down: Nov. 12-13 in Arlington

Nov. 12-13 are the dates for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. We are completing nine years of service to our Lord and the churches. Occasionally, we have people ask questions about the SBTC. Let me respond to three of the most common.

Why does the SBTC exist? We need to review some recent church history. In the 1800s liberalism arose in the churches of Europe. The empty cathedrals witness the sterility of liberalism. Liberalism and neo-orthodoxy infiltrated the northern denominations at the turn of the 20th century. Consequently, the mainline denominations became the sideline denominations. Only a few incidences of liberalism arose among Southern Baptists prior to World War II.

In the 1960s, however, liberalism and neo-orthodoxy began to surface in Southern Baptist life. The SBC messengers approved a resolution in 1971 that essentially called for abortion on demand. There were seminary presidents and professors who wrote openly denying the miraculous events of the Scriptures. By 1979, the SBC had started down a slippery slope.

That year the Conservative Resurgence began and continued until 1994. During those 15 years the common Baptists went to the annual meetings in unprecedented numbers. They elected presidents who shared their convictions about the Word of God.

The presidents used their appointive powers that ultimately impacted the boards of our agencies. Now, all seminary presidents and professors affirm a high view of Scripture. Both North American and international missionaries affirm the SBC faith statement. It is important that those who represent us believe as we do on the major doctrines of the faith.

In light of the SBC resurgence each state convention had decisions to make. What would be their relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention and their stance on the nature of Scripture?

I am happy to say that almost all state conventions affirm a high view of Scripture and support the SBC. Unfortunately, two did not make those choices.

Consequently, in Virginia loyal, conservative Southern Baptists felt they needed to start a new convention. God has blessed their efforts and today they are a strong contributing ministry in SBC life.

Beginning in 1991 some Southern Baptists in Texas saw their own state convention drifting from the SBC. Unsuccessfully, they attempted to get public clarification on some important doctrinal positions. Every year messengers sought to make changes, but would lose by ever-increasing margins. By 1998 it was evident that a new state convention would be necessary.

There are two major reasons for the existence of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The churches wanted a confessional fellowship for missions and ministry. They also wanted a close working relationship with the SBC. These two values have been constant through the nine years of our existence.

What is the difference between the SBTC and other state conventions? There are some distinctive positions held by the SBTC. We have the word “inerrancy” in our constitution. The Executive Board has affirmed inerrancy and defined a high view of Scripture.

The definition states that all the miracles happened as they are recorded, all the narratives are historical and true, and that the authors of the books are the authors to whom they are ascribed. Because we are a confessional fellowship, affiliating churches affirm their agreement with the faith statement of the convention, which is the Baptist Faith and Message (2000). Churches need not adopt the BF&M as their statement of faith but simply agree that the BF&M 2000 is the acceptable document for common ministry as the SBTC.

Flowing from a high view of Scripture are more clearly defined positions on social issues. The SBTC is on record by resolution almost annually honoring the sanctity of human life. A provision in the constitution prohibits continued affiliation for any church that would affirm homosexuality as an acceptable practice.

Women are recognized for their valuable contributions to the kingdom but males are recognized as the scripturally acceptable candidates for the role of senior pastor. The SBTC does not partner with groups such as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship because they will not take clearly biblical positions on these crucial issues.

Also, we are different structurally. A recent survey showed the SBTC has the smallest staff-to-church ratio of any state convention in the SBC. This enables the cash flow to go where people want their money.

Forty percent of our in-state budget is allocated for missions and evangelism. Church planting is the largest line item, receiving almost $2 million annually. We use a series of checks and balances to get the mission dollars to legitimate new churches. It takes all of us to get the job done. No one church can enable a statewide mission strategy. This is a major reason for the existence of any state convention.

The SBTC services over 100 different local church ministries. By using generalists instead of specialists on our staff, we are able to do more with less in Texas. Whatever a church or association has need of we will network to find the resources. We relate to institutions and ministries but it is on a theological basis and in a contributor role.

Where do we go from here? We have grown from 120 congregations to almost 2,000. The churches gave over $31 million to missions and ministry during the past year. Our end game is to give 55 percent of the operating budget to SBC ministry. We are currently at 54 percent. We should reach the goal by 2009. No other state convention gives away more than it retains in operating budget funds.

We believe that churches all across Texas will join in the effort of “Reaching Texas and Touching the World.” Our core values reinforce our past but guide in the future. We are biblically faithful, kingdom-focused, and missionally funded. Our desire is to be a good partner to Southern Baptist churches and associations in Texas.

Pray for God to move upon us at the Arlington Convention Center Nov. 12-13 as the churches of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention meet.