DALLAS (ABP) — For the second consecutive year, the Baptist General Convention of Texas has turned down a request from a Southern Baptist seminary to exhibit at the convention's annual meeting in November.
In a letter to Gary Redding, alumni relations director at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, BGCT President Albert Reyes said a committee denied the request because Southwestern does not meet the following qualification: “The organization must affirm support of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, its mission and leadership.”
In the seminary's application for exhibit space, Redding maintained that by providing leaders for BGCT churches, Southwestern supports the BGCT mission statement.
“By providing theological education for pastors, staff members, and members of churches affiliated with the BGCT, Southwestern Seminary not only affirms, but assists the BGCT and its leadership in its mission as it ‘encourages, facilitates and connects churches in their work to fulfill God's mission of reconciling the world to himself.'”
The seminary and the BGCT have had a close relationship since the school's founding almost 100 years ago, and the BGCT annual meeting is an opportunity to recruit students and connect with alumni. The relationship between the two entities has been strained in recent years, however, as leaders have disagreed on several issues, including which faith statement to affirm. The BGCT affirms the 1963 version of the Baptist Faith and Message, while Southwestern affirms the 2000 version, which many in the BGCT see as creedal.
The exhibit application included a letter of recommendation from Elwin Collum, president of the seminary's BGCT Alumni Association and pastor of First Baptist Church in Coahoma, who initiated the request.
Collum, whose church is aligned only with the BGCT and not the competing pro-SBC conservative convention, said he was “disappointed” and “confused” by the committee's decision.
In his letter informing the seminary of the decision, Reyes encouraged a dialogue between Southwestern and BGCT leaders. “I am grieved that a more harmonious relationship does not currently exist between [Southwestern Seminary] and the BGCT,” he said.
“One option to work toward resolution of this matter over the next year would be for the executive leadership of [Southwestern Seminary] to initiate a dialogue with the executive leadership and elected leaders of the BGCT to consider issues of concern that have prevented and continue to hinder a more harmonious relationship” between the seminary and the state convention.
In a widely distributed news release from Southwestern, President Paige Patterson argued his institution has tried to reach out to the BGCT.
“Dr. Reyes cannot be serious,” he said. “He has himself been invited to speak in chapel and Southwestern has offered a presidential scholarship to a student of his choice to attend Southwestern. Other invitations have gone to BGCT leaders, although they have been declined. This must be a form letter rather than a thoughtful, fair response from a brother.”
After reading the statement, Reyes said he was “grieved and disappointed” by the seminary's response, and he remained resolute on the need for dialogue.
— Ken Camp contributed to this story.