CASWELL, N.C. (ABP) — Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina made changes to the convention's bylaws Sept. 27 that would give North Carolina Baptist institutions a greater say in choosing their trustees and directors.
The board also implemented the “Sanderson motion,” which excludes from the convention churches that “affirm, approve, endorse, promote, support or bless” homosexuality. The board approved specific guidelines for determining if a church is too approving of gays.
Both changes will be voted on by messengers to the convention's annual meeting in November.
If approved, the new bylaws would allow agencies and the convention's nominating committee to approve nominees together. For instance, agency heads would submit lists of trustee nominations to the nominating committee for review. If the committee rejects an agency's suggestion for a trustee slot, it must provide a written statement explaining the rejection.
Board members also approved specific changes for the trustee-election process of North Carolina Baptist colleges. The move would allow school alumni who have moved out of state or come from other faith backgrounds to serve as trustees.
If approved by delegates, schools may draw up to one-third of their trustees from people living outside North Carolina. Trustees from non-Baptist churches would be allowed if they provide both a personal and a church statement affirming the trustee's conversion experience.
Under the agreement, schools may elect up to half of their own trustees but risk giving up a matching percentage of funds. That provision, often called the “50-50 Rule,” would not apply for trustees of other North Carolina Baptist entities.
The convention's budget committee would make decisions on the reduction of funding on a case-by-case basis for a school that chose the 50-50 option.
In regard to the homosexuality provisions, the new rules also lay out a plan for churches to appeal a decision by the convention board to eject the congregation.
-30-
— This story includes information from the Biblical Recorder, the North Carolina Baptist newspaper.