I agree with Dr. Wayne Dickard and would ask the Executive Board to reconsider and overturn the decision to hire non-Baptists. Our convention is called Southern Baptist because it is Southern Baptist, and we as Southern Baptists have a Baptist Faith and Message for the purpose of doctrinal purity, but also so that we will be a clear biblical light shining brightly into this lost dark world so that the Lord Jesus would be unmistakably seen as the only Son of the living God, able to save everyone to the uttermost who believes.
Ron Daves, Temple Baptist, Columbia
I subscribe to the Baptist Faith and Message and the church covenant, and have been a pastor for 48 years of Southern Baptist churches. Every church I have served increased its missions giving by a good percentage.
I am totally opposed to Dr. Austin having authority to hire anyone outside our denomination to serve anywhere in our beloved Baptist building. I ask you humbly to withdraw your decision for hiring outside our Baptist faith.
Jackie Hinson, Bethlehem Baptist, Pageland
I strongly agree with brother Wayne Dickard in his letter in this week’s Courier. I believe our Executive Board was wrong in making the decision to hire non-Baptist employees at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. If we are going to be Baptist and adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message, I believe we should have employees who are Baptist at our state convention office. I have served in Southern Baptist churches for 30 years now and have always been proud to be a Southern Baptist. But I believe this decision is very wrong. I believe that, as many Southern Baptists and South Carolina Baptists as we have, there are enough to fill the positions in our state office. I urge the Executive Committee to reverse this decision and hire only those who are Baptist.
Eddy Mattison, Beulah Baptist, Fountain Inn
I totally agree with Wayne Dickard’s letter to the editor regarding the hiring of non-Baptists. I am a Baptist by choice and am proud to be a Baptist. But I wonder why this practice of the possibility of hiring non-Baptists within our convention building was not made a public matter? Has our convention not voted for all employees to agree with the Baptist Faith and Message? Then why are we hearing otherwise?
I have too many questions that are unanswered on this matter. Executive Committee, please look into this matter and enforce all hiring to be that of Baptist individuals.
Kenny Moore, Davidson Street Baptist Clinton
I appreciate Wayne Dickard bringing this “wrongheaded” decision made by this committee to our attention. Dr. Dickard, a former president of the SCBC, has been consistent and constant in his dedication and service in our state convention.
If the Executive Board has a valid reason for allowing Dr. Austin to hire non-Baptists, they should make it known publicly. If this decision is not explained or overturned, there will be a motion brought to the floor at the November SCBC meeting to overturn this wrongheaded decision.
Hopefully a decision made by the messengers will once again remind all that in South Carolina important issues like this are made from the church to the Baptist building, not from the Baptist building to the church.
Bill Poore (retired), Covenant Baptist, Lancaster
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