Editorial for February 23, 2006
By Jim White
On pages 2 and 3 of this issue, we have shared a news story that involves the North American Mission Board and what the state Baptist paper of Georgia, the Christian Index has reported about it. In response, officials from NAMB have accused the Christian Index of timing its report to do maximum damage to North American missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.
To my knowledge, the Christian Index has no axe to grind with NAMB, but it makes some pretty bold assertions. The editor of the Index was selected by conservatives in his state, and because both the paper and NAMB are located in Atlanta, both are staffed by people who at least have a passing acquaintance. They are theologically and geographically close. This is not a conservative-moderate issue.
The article we have printed shares the Index’s concerns and NAMB’s responses.
I cannot personally speak to the validity of all the issues raised by the Georgia Baptist paper, but NAMB does not dispute that it has made mistakes. It has funded some big-time loser programs. But, let’s face it; this is going to happen at times. In trying to be innovative and creative in new ministries, we sometimes spend more than we take in. As a pastor, I led a church to fund ministries that didn’t always break even. But in 7 years, NAMB has spent $32 million more than it has received! Ministry is not about dollars and cents, of course, but as any minister knows, you can’t keep spending more than you take in or there will be payday someday.
Another concern is whether we are really doing as well as we thought in terms of missionaries serving. As it turns out, 45 per cent of our missionaries are volunteers. This means we actually have fewer career and long-term missionaries serving now that when NAMB began. Even though the figures were affected somewhat by a retirement incentive NAMB offered some of its long-tenured personnel, the picture is not as bright as Southern Baptists thought.
On the one hand, it is wonderful that so many people are volunteering! On the other, when nearly half our missionary force are volunteers, two things happen. First, the professional competence of the mission force is compromised. Except in rare instances, volunteers can’t be expected to match seminary-trained, experienced career missionaries. If they can, there is something wrong with our career missionaries.
Secondly, many of these volunteers depend on the generosity of their churches and friends for support. With the growing number of missionaries appealing for financial help, it is only a matter of time before giving to Cooperative Missions (Cooperative Program) begins to be adversely affected. Baptisms in Southern Baptist churches peaked in 1972. Despite a conservative resurgence, despite a greater number of churches, despite a greater number of members, we are not baptizing as many people as we did more than 30 years ago. NAMB can’t be held responsible for individual Southern Baptists failing to witness, but it should be held accountable to meet the standards it has set for itself in helping to evangelize the lost.
Other concerns are raised—most notably for me is the hiring of a consultant to do a study. The study concluded that some of the work needed to be contracted to outside vendors. Accordingly, NAMB then fired 31 people and eliminated 40 positions. Guess who it then hired to do much of the work? A company run by the consultant! Oh, and did I mention that this person just happened to be a friend of the NAMB president?
NAMB officials consistently speak of creating a world-class organization. They have succeeded in many respects. But such conflict of interest would never pass muster with world class organizations other than Enron. Perhaps the company NAMB hired was simply the best to do the work, I don’t know. What I do know is that we Christians must avoid the appearance of evil. And this looks bad whether it is or not. We should also not rush to judgment. But how will we know if we don’t ask?
Last Sunday I worshipped with the good folks at Poroporone Baptist where pastor Don Campbell preached a stirring message on “David, the man of God’s own heart.” We were reminded of David’s success, faithfulness, and devotion. We were also reminded that even this man was capable of appalling sinfulness.
NAMB and its people have done many wonderful things. They are faithful and devoted. But, even such people as we Baptists are capable of sin. Just as individuals, institutions are capable of attempting to make themselves look good by putting a spin on the truth. Because of this, state Baptist papers must continue to ask questions—not as adversaries, but as brothers.
Let’s face it. Few people like having their work scrutinized. We shouldn’t expect NAMB to be different. But accountability should characterize Christian institutions.
No one I know is suggesting that anything immoral or illegal has been done or is accusing anyone of wrongdoing. But in raising the questions it has, the Christian Index has become the enemy in the minds of some.
There was a time, during the Vietnam era of our history, when people said “My country right or wrong.” As a Marine at the time, I said it. But the sentiment “My convention right or wrong” which seems to have developed among some ardent convention supporters, is troubling.
Jeremiah, the prophet said it. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9). As long as churches, agencies, institutions, conventions and, yes, even state Baptist papers are staffed by human beings, we must continue to expect and require openness.
To read the entire report and NAMB’s response, visit christianindex.org and namb.net.