N.C. Baptists to vote on trustee, gay guidelines

CASWELL, N.C. — Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina made changes to the convention’s bylaws Sept. 27 that would give North Carolina Baptist institutions a greater say in choosing their trustees and directors. The board also implemented the “Sanderson motion,” which excludes from the convention those churches that “affirm, approve, endorse, promote, support or bless” homosexuality. The board approved specific guidelines for determining if a church is too approving of gays. Both changes will be voted on by messengers to the convention’s annual meeting in November.

If the trustee changes are approved, the new bylaws would allow agencies and the convention’s nominating committee to approve nominees together. For instance, agency heads would submit lists of trustee nominations to the nominating committee for review. If the committee rejects an agency’s suggestion for a trustee slot, it must provide a written statement explaining the rejection. Each post is a three-year term. Board members also approved specific changes for the trustee-election process of North Carolina Baptist colleges. The move would allow school alumni who have moved out of state or come from other faith backgrounds to serve as trustees. If approved by delegates, schools may draw up to one-third of their trustees from people living outside North Carolina. Trustees from non-Baptist churches would be allowed if they provide both a personal and a church statement affirming the trustee’s conversion experience.  (TAB)