Rising concern

I am writing to commend you for your Aug. 27 editorial, “Dissident Voices Cannot Change the Facts.” You accurately addressed a rising concern in Southern Baptist life. I applaud you for your passionate and courageous defense of the historic values of the Cooperative Program. Thank you for reminding readers that we do not give through a Competitive Program, we give through the Cooperative Program. Thank you for reminding us that we work together for the benefit of all.

I am concerned about the objectives of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (GCRTF). There appears to be an effort under way to dismantle that which God has so favorably blessed since 1925. Millions of souls have been reached for Christ and His Kingdom has been advanced in the world as a result of the cooperative efforts of Southern Baptists. I think most of us would agree that any organization or business as large as the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) needs to be constantly alert to ways and means to improve efficiency and productivity. However, this does not mean we should demolish the entire system in the process. We may be in danger of “throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

I am offended by some of the language used by those involved with the Great Commission Resurgence. I have been an Alabama Baptist since 1969. Alabama Baptists graciously allowed me to serve six years as a convention officer — two of those years as president. Each day of my service to our convention increased my love and respect for Alabama Baptists. I know Alabama Baptists. I know and love our state missionaries. I know that the Alabama Baptist State Convention is not only reflecting the priorities of our churches in the areas of missions, evangelism and CP, it is constantly raising the standard and assisting our churches to excel. I never saw any evidence of “skimming.” I did not, in my tenure of service, see a “bloated and inefficient [bureaucracy] with red tape a mile long.” I never encountered a state convention “bureaucrat.” I did see many humble servants of God, and I saw an executive director who prayed over every dollar and every mission and every ministry of the convention.

Dr. Terry, you said it well, “Alabama Baptists believe in efficiency and effectiveness in ministries and missions. Alabama Baptists believe in reaching people for Christ at home and around the world.” This is a banner statement for Alabama Baptists and reflects the character of our ministry each and every day.

May I suggest to the GCRTF that they appeal to state conventions to recommend ways to improve SBC giving through the CP, ways to improve the utilization of funds and ways to improve our missions and evangelism, but please do not dismantle our convention and our CP.

Pastor Roger D. Willmore
Deerfoot Baptist Church
Trussville, Ala.