Mainstream Organizations Rally Around
Missionaries Who Cannot Sign BF&M
By Robert O'Brien
Mainstream Baptist Network's national board of directors voted March 7 in a
conference call to commend Texas Baptists for taking a stand against
creedalism and establishing a Missionary Transition Fund for Southern
Baptist missionaries who refuse to sign the Baptist Faith and Message
statement.
Meanwhile, similar actions have begun spreading through Mainstream
organizations in several states, currently including Arkansas, Alabama,
South Carolina, and Oklahoma. Several other state Mainstream organizations
are now in various stages of framing their responses, according to
Mainstream leaders. That information will be released as responses develop,
they said.
Texas Baptists established the fund, announcing that it already had
pledges of $1 million dollars to help any missionary who, for the sake of
integrity, cannot sign the BF&M statement as requested by International
Mission Board President Jerry Rankin.
Similar to the Texas Baptist promise, all the state Mainstream organizations
say that 100 percent of the funds they raise will be used to help
missionaries who leave their positions because they cannot sign the BF&M.
Oklahoma Gets $250,000 Head Start
In Oklahoma, Mainstream Baptists got a head start with pledges of $250,000,
according to Bruce Prescott of Norman, Okla., executive director of
Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists. He said in a press release that his group will
"promote and receive offerings from individuals in Oklahoma who wish to
contribute to the Missionary Transition Fund established by the Baptist
General Convention of Texas."
He said Oklahoma funds will be given "with the understanding that, when the
funds are distributed (by Texas Baptists), priority will be given to meeting
the needs of Southern Baptist missionaries from Oklahoma...."
Checks for tax-deductible contributions may be made out to "Missionary
Transition Fund" and mailed to Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, P.O. Box 6371,
Norman, OK 73070-6371. Phone: (405) 329-2266; email:
bprescott@mainstreambaptists.org
Prescott also released statements giving background information and
Objections to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message statement) It may be
accessed at
www.mainstreambaptists.org along with other breaking news on
the situation.
Prescott's background documents represent the views of the Mainstream
Baptist Network board of directors, who also expressed support for responses
from the state chapters of the Mainstream Baptist Network.
Mainstream leaders have strongly opposed a series of actions by Southern
Baptist Convention leaders, in which the International Mission Board and the
North American Mission Board have asked their missionaries to sign the 2000
BF&M; NAMB has refused to endorse ordained women for the chaplaincy; NAMB
has threatened the autonomy of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention;
and the SBC Executive Committee has refused to recognize or accept funds
from a newly forming moderate state convention in Missouri, although it does
so for new Fundamentalist state conventions in Virginia and Texas.
Arkansas Sends Letters; Starts Fund
In Arkansas, the board of directors of Arkansas Baptist Committed has sent
out letters across the state, reporting establishment of a "Save the
Missionaries" fund, according to Tony Woodell of Little Rock, ABC president.
It welcomes tax-deductible contributions. Woodell said checks should be
made out to Arkansas Baptists Committed and sent to P.O. Box 250711, Little
Rock, AR 72225. The email is arkbapt.com@juno.com
Phone: 501-663-5773.
South Carolina Starts Fund; Schedules Meetings
In South Carolina, the Mainstream board of directors voted "to promote,
encourage and forward funds to the Missionary Transition Fund established by
the Baptist General Convention of Texas," said J. Floyd Parker, president of
Mainstream South Carolina Baptists.
Parker, of Greenville, S.C., said his organization would hold statewide
Mainstream meetings across South Carolina, March 18-21, to introduce
Mainstream and make Baptists aware of the fund for missionaries.
He said checks for tax-deductible contributions may be made out to
"Missionary Transition Fund" and sent to Mainstream South Carolina Baptists,
5000 Old Buncome Road, #27, Box 263, Greenville, S.C. 29617; phone:
864-610-9742; email: mscbaptist@yahoo.com
Meanwhile, in Alabama
In Alabama, Mel Deason, of Birmingham, executive director of Mainstream
Alabama Baptists, said that definite plans are underway for a response and
that a response would be forthcoming.