During the March 20–22 trustee meeting of the International Mission Board (IMB), IMB President Jerry Rankin spoke in the defense of the board’s missionaries against the rumors and innuendos rippling through the convention of doctrinal problems on the missions field.
Rankin finished his report saying he felt compelled, on behalf of the missionaries, to say he was not aware of any doctrinal problems among IMB missionaries.
“You screened them, you examined their denominational loyalty, their faith, their church background and commitment, their affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message, and our regional leaders are in touch with them, monitoring them,” Rankin said. “If there were any problems of doctrinal aberrations, of charismatic influences or practices, or even tolerance, or anyone not practicing baptism, or contributing in any way to ecumenical-type practices, we would know about it and deal with it.
“It is disrespectful to missionaries — those giving their lives and sacrifices and taking their families and laying their lives on the line — that anyone, without identifying and verifying facts, would spread rumors and innuendoes about doctrinal issues on the field. I want to make a public comment and stand for our missionaries in defense of their faithfulness.”
Trustee Jerry Corbaley of California voiced some misunderstanding about Rankin’s comments that there are no doctrinal problems on the field among the missionaries.
“Your statement there is no doctrinal problems on the field — (that) if there were they would be recognized by staff –— seems to be in direct conflict with the fact we are dealing with several such instances now,” Corbaley said.
Other trustees also asked for clarification on this statement.
Rankin replied: “There have been several comments made, particularly that the policies were necessary because we’re sending missionaries out that are not truly Baptists, are involved in ecumenical movements, are tolerating, even promoting and practicing charismatic practices.
“[T]hroughout the process of our policies, I’ve asked for evidence — for verification — if that is so then tell us who and where, and we’ll deal with it. But I have yet to have anyone document where there is a problem that we aren’t dealing with or haven’t dealt with when we became aware of it. That was the intent of (the statement).” (BP)
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