For almost three years it has been my privilege to represent Southern Baptists as a trustee on the International Mission Board. I was previously privileged to serve for two terms as a missionary with the IMB in South America. My respect for this organization is incredibly high. Some of God’s greatest servants are on our Richmond staff, while others serve as our field missionaries. I believe in, pray for, and support what God is doing through these wonderful servants of Christ and messengers of the gospel.
Allen McWhiteMany of you are aware, or are perhaps just now becoming aware, of a growing controversy concerning the IMB trustees and recent policy decisions concerning the appointment of new missionary candidates. These issues revolve around the candidate’s baptismal experience and his or her practice of what is commonly referred to as a private prayer language.
Much discussion about these issues has taken place on the IMB board over the past year and a half, with a majority of the trustees affirming the implementation of the new policies. I have consistently opposed these policies on what I believe to be strong biblical, theological, and missiological grounds, but I have certainly been a minority voice. Recently, as Southern Baptists have begun to more clearly understand the ramifications of these recent board actions, many of our pastors and churches have begun to voice their strong opposition to them as well.
My intention in this letter is not to make arguments for my positions. My greater concern is this: In our last board meeting in Richmond in January, one of my fellow trustees told me that I was “out of step with Southern Baptists, out of step with the Baptist Faith and Message, and out of step with scripture” because of my opposition to these new policies. I strongly reject that assertion, believing myself to be firmly in step with scripture and with the vast majority of my fellow conservative Southern Baptists.
I have come to understand over these past months that my position as a trustee is just that – a “trust” that has been given to me by my fellow Southern Baptists. My primary responsibility as a trustee is to our Southern Baptist Convention as a whole and not to the IMB board of trustees itself. When personal conviction and my understanding of scripture lead me to oppose the direction of the board as a whole, I will do that as long as I believe I am representing Southern Baptists well. I am writing you, my fellow South Carolina Baptists, because I believe that I know you best of all. If I am not representing you and our larger convention, then I want and need to know that.
Each South Carolina Baptist must determine for himself or herself whether or not they agree with my positions on these issues. I can only appeal that each one of you look into these matters for yourself. Then, come to your own conclusion about my concerns. I would be glad to send copies of the new policies/guidelines to any South Carolina Baptist who would like a copy. I will also be glad to send copies of my own correspondence to the IMB trustees, outlining the reasons for my opposition to these new policies. Additionally, I have copies of the arguments that Jerry Rankin, president of the IMB made against both of these new policies/guidelines in his own correspondence to the personnel committee in May of 2005 and to the full board of trustees in September. I think every Southern Baptist should be aware of the concerns expressed by this godly man who has faithfully and exceptionally led the largest evangelical missionary sending agency in the world for the past 12 years.
As trustees of the International Mission Board, we must deal frequently with difficult matters of personnel, strategy and finances. With more than 80 trustees on the board, there are naturally differences of opinion concerning any number of issues. In most cases, I have no problem aligning myself with the majority vote (even when I disagree) and moving ahead in the great effort of reaching a lost world for Jesus Christ. However, when decisions are made that, in my opinion, violate scripture, usurp the authority of the local church, impugn the spiritual character of godly men and women, establish doctrinal parameters that go beyond the Baptist Faith and Message, and disqualify otherwise eminently qualified missionary candidates because of excessively narrow theological views that are imposed ex cathedra upon others, I must stand up and voice my opposition. Because it has now been asserted that my dissenting views are “out of step,” I feel compelled to write to you.
I want to represent you well. More importantly, I want to represent well our Lord Jesus Christ, the teachings of His word, and His clear commission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. If I am not doing that well, then I need you to let me know. Do your own research, and then come to your own conclusions. I will welcome your response.
Editor’s note: McWhite may be contacted at amcwhite@juno.com.
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