Forgive me. This will not be the most eloquent column I have ever written (not that I have ever written one, for that is something for readers to decide), but I am writing this at 6 a.m., Friday, Feb. 18, as I return home from four days of meetings in Virginia with fellow state newspaper editors and leaders of Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) agencies.
If I had one word to describe everything that was discussed, that word would be “change.” If anyone thinks conservatives are rigid, incapable of change, they are about to have that myth shattered. And so it is “change” that is most heavily weighing on my mind as I return to Jefferson City.
April’s meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board is sure to be historic and it will mark “change” in the life of the convention. Anyone who thinks serving on the Executive Board is a cushy seat of honor does not have a proper understanding of the Board’s responsibility and the important decisions that must be made by those who serve on it. To the nearly 2,000 affiliated churches that comprise the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), the Board is their Congress, their legislature. The 52 members of the Executive Board represent every tongue and tribe of our Southern Baptist Zion in Missouri. They are the voice of Southern Baptists in Missouri. And when they speak things happen.
I say their next meeting will be historic for three reasons: First, the Executive Board will approve an executive director search committee. Now before I go any further, for the sake of transparency, let me offer full disclosure with the reminder that I am employed by the Executive Board. Only they have the authority to hire/fire the editor or control Pathway coverage (to the extent they feel necessary and during Pathway’s nine years of existence, that has been remarkably rare). I have not talked to any Board member about the April meeting, although I am praying for them and I hope you are as well. They need our prayers and what I am sharing in this column is strictly my feeling based upon years of observation in watching the Board operate and because I have come to know all the members, some better than others. I consider them all friends and I know they truly want what is best for the MBC.
That said, everywhere I go people ask me what I think will happen. Of course I do not know, but there are some facts that can help all of us have some level of understanding as we approach the April meeting and the announcement of a search committee. For example, it will be interesting to see what instructions the Board’s administrative committee (the committee in charge of executive director oversight) gives the search committee. For example, they might urge the search committee to act as quickly as possible. I have to admit, the thought of a two-year search is not appealing, and given the speed with which changes are coming, does not seem prudent. But how could such a thing happen? The Board could ask the search committee to start with candidates previously vetted by the search committee in the most recent executive director search. All that information is still in possession of the Board and could dramatically reduce the length of this search. Of course, prayer will play a major role as well.
A second reason the April board meeting should prove historic is due to the tumultuous changes in the air as a result of the reprioritizing of ministries and restructuring of staff throughout the Southern Baptist Convention and here in Missouri. Significant personnel decisions must soon be made. The number of MBC staff positions jointly funded by the North American Misson Board (NAMB) and the MBC are being studied. Any changes will be part of a new joint agreement between the two organizations that will likely be finalized by March 31. If there are positions that NAMB will no longer help fund in its new agreement with the MBC, then the Board may decide at its April meeting what should be done in response. As you can imagine, this will not be easy and I urge you to pray for the Board and the MBC staff. Lives could be dramatically impacted.
It would appear that Missouri will play an important role in NAMB’s new Midwest region. One NAMB leader recently referred to Missouri as “the anchor” of the Midwest. This suggests the MBC will play a leading role and will most certainly have a voice on the board that will oversee the ministry operations of the Midwest region. In addition, St. Louis is one of 25 strategic cities NAMB has earmarked for special attention. New challenges are forthcoming and we should be much in prayer about how God can use us in this new vision being cast for winning North America to Christ. All this will certainly be on the minds of Board members when they meet in April.
Finally, there are the lawsuits. While no significant decisions are expected to be made at the April board meeting, I do believe board members will come away with greater hope for a final resolution after they are briefed. The win in the Foundation case was huge and while Foundation attorneys have filed their appeal, we are confident it will be denied. I remind you, the charters of The Baptist Home and Missouri Baptist College (the board action to move the school to university status was approved by a renegade board this newspaper does not recognize) are nearly identical to the Foundation’s, offering even more optimism about the future. When all three agencies are returned to the MBC, the Executive Board will be faced with more major decisions and any new executive director should, at least, have a say in those decisions.
These are challenging days in the life of the MBC, yet I remain confident in its future. Missouri Southern Baptists love Jesus. We take joy in serving Him – together. I love Missouri Southern Baptists. I am one. Let us join hands. Let us prayerfully and boldly advance, carrying the Cross of Christ before us.
DON HINKLE / editor