NATIONAL OFFICE 1. SBC Executive Committee 901 Commerce #750 Nashville, Tennessee 37203 BiPTIST PRESS (615) 244-2355 - Wilmer C. Fields, Director Newn service of the Southern Baptist CO~V@II~~O~ Dan Martin. News Editor Craig Bird, Feature Editor

BUREAUS Jim Newton. Chief, 1350 Spring St., N.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30367. Telephone (404) 873-4041 DALLAS Thomas J. Brannon. Chief, 103 Baptist Building, Dallas, Texas 75201. Telephone (214) 741-1996 NASHVILLE (Baptist Sunday School Board) Lloyd T. Householder, Ch~ef,127 Ninth Ave., N., Nashville, Tenn. 37234, Telephone (615) 251 -2300 RICHMOND (Foreign) Robert L. Stanley, Chief, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230, Telephone (804) 353-0151 WASHINGTON Stan L. Hastey, Chief, 200 Maryland Ave., N.E.. Wash~ngton,D.C. 20002, Telephone (202) 544-4226

Baptist Layman Identifies Threats-To Baptist Heritage By Bob Allen WISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--A power play for mntrol of Southern Baptist Convention organization by fundamentalist leaders has eroded vital principles of Baptist heritage, acmrding to Gemgia layman Norman Cavender . Tht erosion threatens to transform the SBC into "sanething inferior to all that we hve ken," said Cavender, a deamn and Sunday adhool teacher at First Baptist , Claxton, Ga. He mde his remarks in a recent chapel service at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was me of three speakers for Denominational Heritage Week.

"Unless rank-and-file Southern Baptists learn again what it means to be Southern Baptist, and turn back the neo-Baptist, quasi-Baptist, pse-Baptist and outright mrrBaptiat influences among us today, we will see our Southern Baptist heritage detrayed in our crwn lifetime," Cavender pedicted. Cavender identified himself as "simply a layman in a small tcwn &urch." "I am not a crusader by nature," he confessed. "Hmever, things I see and hear in this denomination tday have ccpnplled me to get up off the pew and begin speaking out," he said.

Cavender claimed Southern Baptists' "tm basic principles of relationship8'--religious liberty and mluntary cooperatiom-have been c~cmpranisedby recent SBC leaders.

He cited statements ky former SBC president James T. Draper Jr., a poor record of Cooperative Program support by current president Charles Stanley and ethical concerns surrounding the bhavior of Paul Pressler, whcm he said is an architect of the SBC takeover attempt and recently elected mwlber of the SBC Executive Cdttee, as evidence of the mllaps of Baptist principles.

Draper, Cavender said, has stated that in order to be a Baptist, one must believe "the doctrines of plenary verbal inspiration, substitutionary atonement and the mtatic union. 'I

"I have been a Baptist for 40 years, and didn't even knw what it means," Cavender retorted. "In my church in Georgia, when saneone walks dawn the aisle, we do mt ask him if he cwnes forward to wofess belief in the doctrine of plenary verbal inspiration. We ask him if he oanes to profess faith in Christ as Savior and L&d of his life."

Cavender said Stanley, in 11 years at First Baptist Church, Atlanta, prior to beooming SIX president, did not register as a messenger in his state convention. During one state oonven- tion he sponsored a cross-tawn meeting with 50 independent Baptists m the program, and he led his chur& to reduce its Cmperative Program giving fran 16 percent to less than 3 percent. He cited Pressler ' s adhestration of a move by Fundamentalists to take wer the SBC, an episode at a past SBC involving the use of an alledgedly fraudulent messenger card, and admitted use of secret tape recording of telmne calls and an ensuing controversy wer coverage of one taping.

He opined Pressler's election to the Executive Camnittee signals questions about SBC stardards af ethical conduct. SOUTHERN BAPTl8T H!@TOFPICAZ. UBRARY AND ihyl~?HlaBm ' --lmre-- ' HbtwlcerSmW&n,m~ r4wnd8a' Tm r -, I' 4/12/85 Page 2 Baptist Press

"It may be that some of these people simply don't krm~what a Baptist is," Cavender remarked. "Or it may be that they knckJ what a Fhptist is, but don't want to be one. That is their right. They have the freedan to walk a no.H3aptist road of creedalism, dictated beliefs and restricted biblical study if that is their personal preference. Iht they do mt have the right to seize this denomination through wecinct plitics and drag the rest of us da~nthe rad with them." Cavender said fundamentalist attempts at dictating beliefs and taking over theological seminaries reveal an inability "to trust to wrk in a climate of liberty." If they succeed in gaining control of the seminaries, Cavmder said, "our seminaries will ro longer be institutions d thmlogical excellence. They will becune little nore than fundamentalist s&mls indoctrinating students with sectarian ."

The Georgia businessman criticized Baptist leaders "who know better" for failing to "confront the inerrancy issue head-on." Those a-ting inerrancy "claim they are defending the Bible," he said, but in fact "are trying to shackle the Bible with their am opinions."

"That wrd (inerrancy) is being used to Winka lot of god Baptists," Cadr charged. "In mycases it is hing used as a coverup for ignorance, shabby , lack of genuine Biblical scholarship and pure old hunran prejudice." He &allengel other Baptists for trying to remain neutral. "Neutrality is m longer an option. If we do mt participate in the defense of Baptist ~inciples,we becane party to the surrender of those principles."

Others, he claimed. "They are wting with the fmdamentalist takeover group, thinking they are mting fa the Bible. In reality, they are voting away their am Baptist heritage." --3s-

Ministers Wives Called Baptist Press To Prayer Far SBC 4/12/85

ATLANll (BP)-Ministers' wives across the Southern Baptist Convention have been called to "join together in fervent prayer" for "unity, harmony and God's lwe to prevail in the heats of all who me" to the annual SBC meting in Dallas June 11-13.

The appeal was issued by Mrs. Ellen (~illiamG.)Tanner of Atlanta, wife of the president of Southern Baptist Hane Mission Board. Mrs. Tanner was asked by officers of SBC Ministers' Wives' Qnference to be natioml prayer &airman for the 1985 SBC.

Mrs. Tanner wrote last week: "It is my heartfelt desire for men of our Southern Baptist Convention to pray for harmony, fa love and for real unity in our convention. Surely, our Lmd is mt ping to stand and wait for us to settle our differences while thousands are dying without );nowledge of him each day. "

She added: "It is my conviction that if we will earnestly pay the price in prayer on our knees, he will hear and answer our prayer and heal our aonvention. Let us pray that Christ aur Lard and Saviour will be the victor: that his mrk of winning and ministering to the wmld may be carried on; and that we will still he usable in his kingdan mk."

Mrs. Tanner hs enlisted at least two prsons in each state mmtion to b chairprsons for Fayer. Each ministers' wife will be enmuraged to ~aywith their kruskmxls, with a prayer partner, with wives of other staff membes and at the aonvention in Dallas.

Mrs. Earl Kelley of Jackson, Miss., is president of SBC Ministers' Wives Conference, In Fekuary, officers of the aonfexence issued a statement asking wives across the nation to pray f m "forgiveness, fw kwmi lity, fcn: unity of purpose and for renewed power to follow the Lmd' a canmand to go into all the world and preach the gospl." Tickets to SEE Ministers' Wives' Conference lun& June 11 at the Faimnt Hotel in Dallas are available for $12.50 £ran Mrs. Martha Garrison, 432 JW 17th, Okl- City 73103, -30- (BP) photo mailed to state bpti st newspapers by the Georgia Christian Tndex. 3 Baptist Press

Graham Horor ed By Dallas Baptist

INJAS ( BPI-Dallas Baptist University has awarded an homrary doctor of degree to evangelist Billy Graham.

Mccre than 1,000 persons attended the mnmcation at the university in west Dallas to witness the degree presentation and 2,400 more sat at a $1,000 per table dinner that evening to 'harnr the evangelist and the university. DBU President W. Marvin Watson presented the doctorate to Graham citing his years of service as an evangelist which have won him mrldwide acclaim. At the dinner Graham credited the revival of spiritual interest in the nation to President Dwight Eisenhwer. Graham visited EisenhckJer in France and later in the and gave him a Bible and counseled him about church memlsership, the evangelist said.

Eisenhower was baptized into the membership of National Presbyterian Chur& in Washington rud told Graham he wanted him to do something to help the United States spiritually to counter the spiritual vacuum he saw developing. "Nm," Grdham said, "a president of the U.S. can stand up and talk about Jesus Christ without mhrrassment at all. God is at work and that is true in every state d every city." --3s-

Christian High Adventure hptist Press Ends 15-Year Ministry 411 2/85

m,Colo. (BP)-Christian High Adventure, a wilderness camping program whid-r cunbines mountain clinibing and spiritual grmth, has ended after 15 years.

Christian High Advature (CHI) faced financia1 jeapordy this year, espcially after cost of liability insurance jumpd f ram $4,000 to $15,000 during 19435, according to Chuck Clayton, the wganimtion's executive directar.

Clayton, Southern Baptist Hme Mission Bwrd natiornl ronsultant on resart missions, disclosed termination of Christian High Adventure in its newsletter, The ~miteer,and in a letter to the arganization's board of directors and suppoxters. Clayton foudd Christian High Adventure in 1970 whm he was in Cody, w. Far several ~ars,it was jointly sponsored by the Southern Baptist Haw Mission Board, Brotherhood Cdssion, and Sunday St3031 Board, but in 1983 was inmpatpd der an autommus Mrd.

In recent years, Christian High Adventure has provided leadership and training for "Adventure Missions," a proqram prwiding wilderness camping and spiritual experiences far inner-city and predelinquent youth. About 2,000 smh puth have pawticpated, Clayton said. Clayton estimated amther 1,200 youth and pung adults have gone through Christian High Adventure's wilderness camping trips, usually lasting five to 10 days.

"Wst prticipants mt only discwered they had capabilities beyord what they had imagined, but discwered new dimensions to the adventure of the Christ lifel " Clayton said.

Asserting that Christian High Adventure has mt failed, Clayton mted that 10 participants became US2 missiomries thraqh the SBC Hme Mission Board, tm became missiomry journeymen through the SEE Fcreign Mission Board, and five Bcame career hw ar foreign missionari s. Numerous others, he said, are in staff positions a: in lay ministries through local &urches.

Clayton said the arganization faced a $22,000 deficit this year after insurance aosts almost quadrupled. The board' s executive cornmi tt&easked Clayton to try to raise $20,000 in 10 days Q: close dawn the ministry. Clayton raised $12,0(30 in pledges, but concludd it was best to end operations after a tie vote on the executive caranittee on whether to aontinue. ' -mi+ 4 Baptist Press In a letter to board rerikrs and sumters, Clayton outlined plans to liquidate the organization,'^ assets and refund all deposits on 1965 wilderness trip. 'Theletter also offered to repy gifts frcm donors in 1965.

Clayton aompred the decision to close CHA to the death of a close family member, but aid his greatest distress was rot that the 15-year pogram has cane to an end. "I grieve that we are in a world and time that wants to constrict the Christian life into regimented and stifling dogmatics," he said. "One mre attempt at giving Cod's spirit th freedun to spak to the hearts and lives of thme who do not march to the step of traditional r ligious programs and activities has been silenced, " Clayton c~nclud&. -30-

Five Canpanies To Bid Baflist Press On wist Insurance Program 4/12/85

aALT-AS (E3P)-Five ampanies are bidding to Mcane the carrier of insurance programs rovering Southern Baptist chw& and dmomi nat ional permel.

The Annuity Board suhni tted specif icatians on the Church Agency arad S~MWStudent Insurance Programs April 4 to Aet~Life and Casulty, witable Life Assurance Sdety, John Hancock Mutual Life, The Prudential Insurance rm. and the Metrapolitan ~ifeInsurance Co., accarding to John Dudley, vicepresident of insurance services.

Dudley said the carriers have six weeks to bid on the programs which have a mlune of wer $1 billion of life insurance and generate methan $50 million in annlral premims.

Every five years the Annuity Board puts the programs up far bid. In addition to the five ampanies bidding on the total package, five casualty canpniea are being invited to bid on the accidental coverage, while five others will suhnit propbaala an cost contaiment measures. Dudley noted the Southern Baptist programs are so large that only selected cunpnieg can meet the necessary requirements and estimated the carriers could spnd in excess of $100,000 preparing their proposals. He said the carrier must have at least $10 billion in assets, insure other large groups ad canpanies, have a caputerized claims system, be ranked as one of the top rated cennpanies in the nation arrd be licensed by the state insurance aaranission in all 50 states.

Dudley noted five ccmpnies also have hem asked to bid on a new ~ogamfm ~escription drugs. He said the benefit was a popular request fran participnts which will allow the patient to presmt the prescription and a check for a small deductible to the pharmacy faa: drtqs imdiately needed. The participant also may mail prescriptions for maintenance medications to a central dispensing organization and receive a sumly far several n-onths, Dudley said the propsals will be reviewed and a canpny ur ccmpanies selected by the Annuity Board staff and consulting actuaries frari The Wyatt Canpany by Aug. 1. - The program will &cane effective Jan. 1, 19E36. --30-

Childcare, Wls Routes, Baptist Press Set Far SBC Sessions 4/12/85

DALLAS (EP)--~ree shuttle bus rcutes and childcare information fca. messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, June 11-13 in Dallas has been released.

Shuttle buses will connect all the ma jar Mels rot within walking distance and a maja parking area with the Dallas Corntion Cwter.. --nure-- Baptist Press

Presch-1 childcare will be housed at First Baptist Chur& in Dallas while the Brotherhaod Gcmmission will host a missions day camp foa: hildren in grades one through six at a ldcal park.

Far $7 per day ($20 for all three days), elementary sdhml children will be provided supervised activities which include mission studies, games, crafts, nature study and #parts. Children will taken to a city park lq bus, leaving the convention center eadh day, Tuesday throqh Thursday, at 8:30 a.m. They will return to the convention center at 5 p.m. on June 11, 12:30 p.m. on June 12 and 4:30 p.m. June 13. -stration arrl aaitional information will b available beginning June 10 at the Brother- Canmission booth in the oonvention display area. There is rn preregistration but interested parents are encouraged to sign-up on June 10.

Preschool &ildcare for messengers who live outside the Dallas-Fart Wth area will be provided at First Baptist Church in Dallas far $5 a session. The May 24 pre-registration deadline is imprtant. Planning will h based on the number signed up ly the deadline. "Wsengers who show up needing presdool childcare without pre-registering them are mt guaranteed anything," Tim Hedquist, director of fimcial planning far the SEC Ekecutiw Cami ttee atd convention manager, said. "We will certainly do everything we can to help them but we can't stress enough the imptance of antacting the people at First Baptist in Dallas in advance." Messengers from the Dallas-Fart Wcath area will mt be included in the prqam.

K. Adele Suath, director of pres&al ministries at the &urdz, is heading wp the program. She may )se oontacted by mail at First Baptist Church, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, Terns, 75201 or by phone at 214-969-0111. A cunplete information sheet and registration fam will be sent to anypne requesting them. Fa: the adults, of course, parking and twanspxtation is always a majm concern. Ard this year there are several bits of gmd news. First there are, "a couple of thousand" parking spaces in the oonmtion center ccrnp1.e~~accarding to Hedquist . Seoordly, the shuttle bus system is mt only extensi-it will be free.

The shuttle service won't cost users in 1985 because of the generosity of the Dallas Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The natioml convention budget alwap heavily subidizes the bus senrice to keep the cost lcw. This year th nati-1 budget will contribute $25,000 but the Wlas association ard the have agreed to make up the difference riders usually have to pay.

Their shared contribution will be amroximately $10,000, Hedquist said.

The shuttles will begin running at 7:30 a.m. each day of the convention. They will run until 9:30 p.m. on June 11 and 12 and until 5:30 p.m. on June 13.

Wlses will mt stop at each hotel irdividually but will stop at a central pint at clusters of hotels. Fa shedule information messengers should check with the mnvention infarmation booth in the Comtion Center whm they register ar at their individual krot 1s.

Route hotels are: Best Western, Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Market Center, adway Im Market Center, Sheraton -kingbird, Regent Hotel, Roadway Inn, UQuinta Central, Twin Sixties, AmFz Hotel, Sheraton Dawntam, Plaza of the Americas, Fairmont , L&ws Arable, Marriott , LaQuinta Inn Regal RaJ, Holiday Inn Regal Rcrw, Rama* Inn, Ward Johnson, Tamhouse Hot 1, Vismunt, Executive Inn, Nmth Park Inn, Doubletree Inn, Tropicana Inn and Expressway Irm.

' There will be m service to the immediate damtawn hotels: Hilton, Adol@ws, Eiyatt, Bradford and the Holiay Inn Damtawn.

' The shuttle also will run frm the ~eunionArena parking lot at the mner of ~emcrial Drive and Hotel Street. This is the lot where buses are sumed to park.

Autmcbi le parking in the Convesltion Center will be $4 d $3 in the Reunion Arena prking areas (m in and out pivledges). Bus parking will be $6. . -n&e 4/12/85 page 6 Baptist Press This year special prwisiom have heen ma& far Mica@. Special parking passes will be avail- at the oonvmtion information booth in the Corntentian Cent r. Perm must have both the special pass and a handicapped licence tag on their vehicle ar state identification as a hardicam driver. W infmmation booth also will have maps of the Cornention Center irrdicating elevatm access f cr wheel&airs, ramps and restraoms and eatinq facilities whi& are accessible to the hardicayped . Pvryone planning to attend the mvention wM bs mt yet made a hotel reservation may caJ.1 Hdquist's office (615-244-2355) during regular working hours far the names of lmtels whi& still have vacancies and whi& my be oontacted directly by idividuals. -30- f age-7 Baptist Pmss

Seminary President Says Stanley Shouldn't Lead Group He Doesn't Love By Ibbert Dilday

SA',Ga. (BP)-Southern Baptist Cornrention President Charles Stanley "ought mt be president of the group he doesn' t lave, " a semimry president says.

W. Rardall Lalley, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Semimry, Wake Fcrest, N.C., was the kepte speaker at the third of a series of meetings sponsmed by Concerned Southern Baptists, a group organized last fall by Gemgims mried by what they call a " fundamentalist takeover" of the 14.3 millicirr-member denomination.

Lolley, speaking to about 200 people in Savannah's First Baptist Churdh, said Stanley told him "persorally" tht "he had no mnfidence in the six Southem Baptist seminaries when he became president and therefare had counseled young peo@e, including his m son ard daughter mt to attend one of the Southern Baptist seminaries."

"Tbt' s his business, but he o@t mt be president of a group tht he daesn' t love, " Lolley said. Stanley, pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, was el&d president of the 5BC during the 1%34 annual meeting in Kansas City, Mo. Urder SBC rules, a presiat serves a one year term, but is eligible for reelection to a semd one-year term, Stanley has anxlounced he will allow himelf to ke mmimted for the semd term. Stanley is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Wmth, Texas. His son, My, 25, and daughter, Becky, 23, are studmts at Dallas Theological Seminary, a mmSBC-af f iliated sdmry. In his address, Lolley asked, "Does it make a person less a Southern Baptist ta cb missions differently than the way the dmomimtion bs determined we' 11 do it? No. If a Southern Baptist churdl decides to do missions congregatiomlly, it '8 their business. W1t the people who decide that ought mt be elevated to the highest position in this dax,mination."

Lolley also referred to a decision by the SBC Camittee on Boards, Carmissions ad Starding Camittees mt to renominate a Dallas attorney as a director of the SBC Hane Miseian Baard and said the action will hve "an indelible effect on Dallas," where the 1985 annual meeting will be held, June 11-13. Four recent actions, besides the Carsnittee on Boards repwt, will determine in Dallas the direction of the SBC, Lolley claimed.

Ck.le is, "the paralysis at Southestern Baptist Theological Sdrnry created by an administrative matter becaning a test of Presidmt Dilday' s leabrship, " a refemce to the Southwestern adminstration'a unsuccessful attempt to fire a professcu: accused of leading a "profane" lifestyle, he said. Southwestern trustees voted 19-12 to dismiss Farrar Patterson, associate professtx. of mmnunications, tm votes shmt of a tmthirds majarity. -The action was initiated by President Russell W. Dilday Jr., and retmmnended 8-1 by the trustee academic affairs dttee.

"Because of the dymmics of ( Soutlwestern' s) board of trustees, virtual paralysis has rrm s t in at the mld's largest seminary," Lblley said. '"There's every irdication that members of that board are designing to fire Dr. Dilday in a very shart period of time and have a different type of president frcm any Southwestern has had in history."

Two is, the amarance on "The 70Q Club" television program of three fmmer SBC presidents- of Memwia, Taul.: Ekiley Smith of Del City, Okla., and Jaws T. Draper Jr. of Euless, Texas-who "effectively smeared all six of the semimriee,"

"YW sdnaries are mt perfect, fblley admitted, "but,we use the best toola af s&olarship in aur seminaries and they do mt lead us to doubting Scripture; they lead m to lwing Scripture as the mrd of the lad." -my Baptist Press

"When the three met recat pesidents of the SBC say what they said ahout the six Southern Baptist semimries, I think there's at least the possibility they're trying to sell amther set of sd-~ools." Three is, Stanley's anmuncamt tbt he is availale £a a seaond term ae SBe ywesi-t. "We Baptists elect presidmts me year at a time, " mlley said. "Ad to talk in tern of absolute mnmitmmt without any questim asked,..of a presidmt far a seord term...ia mt the way we Baptists usually corduct our affairs. "It is entirely aqwiate for saneone else to be mmimted. If you go to Wllas, I can guarantee you there are wing to b sane other mminees, " he said. "Baptists are just Baptist emugh to say that they want a &ance every year to review their leadership." Four is, Draper' s threat to escrcw his &ur& ' s Cooperative Program funds if Stanley losea the presidential election in Dallas. "I believe there are a lot of Southern heists who are going to be offmded by that," Iblley said.

'"The Bible -tea that we who blow to Jesus must walk together as brothera and siet ra in Christ, " blley said. "The theological issue m is: 'Mu8t we walk as twins? Ad if ae twins, then idmtical twins? Ad if identidl twins, Siamese twins?'

"Is it moqh to te a conservative Q. must you hame a right-wing idealague to qualify (for acceptance as a Southern Baptist )?" he asked. Carmmting on reprts the Cdttee on Bclards, Carmissions and Starding Camnittees will mt recarmend the reapintment of fmmer dmirman of the HMB Jerry Gibe, a Dallas attorney, lolley said: "The rumor I hear is that Jerry Gilmare will mt be nominated to a semd tern. He will be bw. The reason: his wife is a Methodist minister."

Gilmme, an HKl director since 1931, was chairman 1984-1965. He is eligible fcr a eed four-yeax t xm as director. His wife, Martha, was adained by a Southern Baptist chur& in 1977 and "transferred her orders" to the United Methodist Church last year, L6lley said.

"We Baflists are mt perally )arown to be held responsible far our wives ar husbwde," Lolley said. "If .. .Gilmcre is bmpd off the HlB because his wife is a Metkrodist minist r, ad you let it ham, you' 11 rue the day you do it. "'If that disqmlifies a person £ran mler our roof, priesthnod of the heliever is gone," he mntinued. The Christian Irwlex, newsjournal of the mgia Baptist Convmtion antacted Bob Eklurxl, &airman of the oanmi ttee on bards, who mn£inned the rtnrtor . "There doesn' t seem to be any secret about that," said lklud, who is an associate in the evangelism department uf the Ea@ist General Convention of Texas.

"The tw=, of us f ran Texas (on the mittee ) r€mmi~tedJerry Gilmare and I think the mte was 25-22 to replace him. As chairman, I oouldn't mte, but I did everything I muld to keep him on. l1

"I don' t think eveme voted against him because of the wanen ' s crdimtion issue, " Eklud continued. "At least half a dozen members told me they wren ' t concernd abut the ordimtion thing, but they wanted to keep the rept as mr+cmtraversial as possible."

"Of course, I think (the failure to retlomimte Gike)has made it mace oohltrorneraial."

Eklud added "90 percent to 95 percent" of the reprt will b "right dawn the middle" of the theological spectrun. "It's going ta te tragic if it can't be seen in tht limt." -3w- (Dilday is assmiate editor of the Georgia Christian Irdex.) 3 . C 4/12/85 Page 9 Baptist Press

State Convent ion Leaders Discuss SBC ~nntroversy By Bob Terry ST. =IS (E"P)--concern about the mntrwersies engulfing the Southern Baptist Convention brought a together the presidents of 23 state Ehptist conventions for payer and discussion.

The meeting took place April 11-12, and was the first time in the history of the 14.3 million member denomination that state presidents have met at their am initiative to discuss issues facing the national body. According to oo11venor Charles Pickering of Mississippi, the presidents agreed that the volatile rhetoric of the aontrweries "jeopardiz~the opprtunity Southern Ihptists have to -reachthe world with the love of Jesus Christ. "

Pickering, an attorney £ran Lhurel, Miss., was one of nine state convention presidents serving on a steering camittee for the meeting. The state convention leaders met ~ivately Thursdsy night and Friday morning prior to inviting the press in for a briefing.

The presidents released a statement and a newsrelease mcerning their meeting and spent about an hour answering questions. In the prepared statement, the presidents declared: "The manner in whidh the present controvereies are being discussed among Southern Baptists, in many instances, diminishes UK ability to reflect Christ's love to the world, limits our ability to carry out the Great Canmission and diverts cxlr attention £ran *e responsibilities God has given B." Pickering said the presidents are mncemal that: Southern Baptists might rot bE! able to sieze the opportunities of Good News America, Bold Mission Thrust and other evangelistic opportunities if convention rhetoric is mt toned durn.

"We believe we reflect the vast majority of Southern Baptists who fear we have been diverted £ran ouw major task. We want to get on with our missions and evangelism effmts," Pickering told a Friday morning news conference.

The presidents called the perso~litiesinvolved in the controversy "sincere people seeking to serve the cause of Christ" but urged all particiants to "reflect the dmracter of Christ in their discussions, articles and statements." "The true evidence that the cause of Christ is being served is in reflecting lave," the statement continued. In an unanimous action, the presidents called on Southern Baptists to set aside May 19 as a day of prayer for the annual meetinq of the Southern Baptist Cornention in Dallas and offered three suggestions to relieve mounting political pressures.

During the day of prayer, the presidents asked Southern Baptists to pray that r vim1 and spiritual awakening will break out within the denomination, that under the leadership of the Holy Spirit healing and reconciliation will take place and that Southern Baptists might effectively proclaim the Gospel around the world to the glory of (33.

Convention resolutions was one sort of political pressure cited by the presidents. In the official statement, messengers were urged to "exercise restraint in filing resolutions. "

Pickering said the group was mt attempting to stifle discussion. "We only want the messengers to be mindful of the impact their resolutions might have on the aonwntion." While declining to cite examples, the presidents agreed pst convention resolutions have been a source of convention differences . The presidents also called on "those...who make appointments" and "those who carry out programs...to be mindful of involving people fran a broad range of our onstituency." --me-- . Baptist Press

Pickering said the presidents believe that in the past political pressures have been brought to bear on those who make appointmnts ard those who administer programs. -The political pressures had to do with control of the convention, he obs wed. Other vesidents said people on all sides of the present controversy feel left out. "W are just asking the responsible parties to be as inclusive as pssible," Pickering added. "If we are mindful of &lancing our appointments and pragrams, that will help relieve the political pressures. I' .. #<. The presidents also asked Southern ~ahi~~'...:to remmhr the convention was mated to promote missions, education, benevolent mter@cises and other social services. A carrect view of the convention will help alleviate fd&"exp&ations, one vesident told Wmd and Way. Repeatedly, the presidents denied they came tocpther as a political group. "'This grlwp repesmts nmof different ~xspectives," one participant mted. "We agreed to sublimte cur differences and ccme together where unity can be fad."

Pickering denied any discussion almut candidates had taken places. -"Thatwas never on the agenda and we haven't discussed the first wxd about it. We came together to pay and discms the pr&lms. We didn' t defend or attack anyone. " When asked about the seriousness of the SBC controversies, Pickering said the fact that the presidents took the unprecedented action of meting tqethew indicates they klieve the problem is serious. "I hope there won't be a split. We came together to pxmte healing so we can get about our tasks of missions and evangelism."

While agreeing the controveries are wides~ead,the presidents mted the emotions sesm to run higher in sane parts af the country than in others. Participzting in the tmday meeting were:

Wllace Henley, Mahama: Neil Thompson, Alaska: Jon M. Stubblefield, Arkansas; Norman Taylor, District of Colunbia: Bill Hickem, ; mvid Sap, vice-president, Georgia; Charles Chandler, Illimis, Robert Latham, Indiana:

Ed Gregory, Ima; WonMorley, Kansas-Nebraska: Jim Lewis, Kentucky: Raymod Boswell, muisiana; F&lph Ehren, Maryland-Delaware; Frank Hamby, Minnesota-Wismnsin: Pickering; Jcrhn Gilbert, Missouri; Ed HewLett, New Yak: Norman Wiggins, Wth Carolina; John Miller, Nmthem Plains; Wndell Estep, Oklahana; Earl Crunpler, South Carolina; John May, Tennessee, Earl Scott, . -30- (Ebb Terry is editor of Wmd and Way, newsjourml of the Missouri Baptist Convention.) BAPTIST PRESS 901 Commerce #750 Nashville, Tennessee 37203

NEWS SERVICE OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION J -.