wfn.org | ABCUSA: SBC Funding Cut of BWA Engenders Calls for Support

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/6/03)--In response to the
recent action by the Southern Baptist Convention to decrease by $125,000 its
annual support of the Baptist World Alliance, that ecumenical
body--representing more than 43 million baptized believers around the
world--is urging Baptists everywhere to pray for the BWA and increase their
financial support of it. 

The decision to decrease its annual funding by about 30% was taken Feb. 16
by the SBC even after an appeal by BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz, who
attended the SBC Budget Committee meeting.  He told SBC leaders then how
much their proposed action would hurt the BWA, which now reports it is in a
financial crisis.  The SBC decision was precipitated by the possible
impending membership approval by the Alliance for the Cooperative Baptist
Fellowship, an organization of moderate Southern Baptists that has broken
with the SBC and developed its own missionary and funding programs.

The SBC has been the single largest financial supporter of the BWA.  While
it has indicated it will, at least temporarily, remain a member of the BWA,
the SBC also will begin developing "a new concept" for building
"relationships with other like-minded Christian bodies" worldwide.

"This is a sad day for the BWA," said Lotz, "especially when we remember
that it was SBC leadership that contributed greatly to the initial drive to
start the BWA in 1905."  He expressed thankfulness for the continued support
of the SBC and the hope that the funding decision will be reversed in the
future. 

He also urged increased support from other Baptists: "We are calling upon
Baptist brothers and sisters in North America and around the world to commit
to a period of prayer and to financially support the BWA."  He asked for
prayer that "God will open the hearts and financial resources of Baptist
unions and conventions, churches and individuals to make a special effort,
now and in the coming years, to support the BWA in a new way."

Where the church today is growing the fastest, Lotz added, is in those
countries where Baptist bodies are least able to give financially.  "They
have a heart for the BWA," he said, "but unfortunately they often are the
marginalized and poor who cannot support us. Their prayers, however, have a
powerful effect in supporting and encouraging all of our Baptist brothers
and sisters worldwide."

American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley
also expressed concern about the SBC action and its likely consequences, and
prayed that the situation could be resolved for the sake of Baptist unity
worldwide.  "The Baptist World Alliance has allowed American Baptists and so
many others to move beyond their churches and their denominations to join
with Baptist brothers and sisters around the world in sharing the love of
our Savior.  Through BWA programs we have worked with hundreds of Baptist
bodies, large and small, to do what Baptists do best--evangelize, support
church growth and ministry, and speak as one voice for justice and freedom
of religious expression."  

"We continue to strongly support the vital ministry of the Baptist World
Alliance," Medley said.  "American Baptists are grateful to General
Secretary Lotz and his gifted staff, and affirm the BWA as the place for
Baptists around the world to join in common conversation and witness."

The Baptist World Alliance, which will celebrate its centennial in 2005,
includes 206 member bodies, including American Baptist Churches USA.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN32

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org