Basics forgotten

I am deeply appreciative of your thoughts on “Should a Church Surrender Its Autonomy?” in the Jan. 27, 2005 issue of The Alabama Baptist. 

I have not heard your concern stated any better. Your timely and needed comments struck at the root of the Southern Baptist Convention controversy. 

In an attempt to keep Southern Baptists from becoming liberal, ironically SBC leaders appear to have forgotten the basic beliefs and structure of Baptists you have so expertly delineated. 

Striving to strengthen the SBC by reversing the philosophy and strategy that brought it into existence is a dead-end street. 

My hope and prayer is that our churches will heed your warning and see the imperative of letting their local autonomy direct their thinking and actions.

Ruford Hodges
Birmingham, Ala.