2004 Archives
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EDITORIAL University should live up to its commitment to BGCT_53104
Posted: 5/28/04
EDITORIAL:
University should live up to its commitment to BGCTHouston Baptist University should live up to its word to the Baptist General Convention of Texas and rescind its “fraternal relationship” with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Historically, HBU has been affiliated with the BGCT, received substantial BGCT funding and allowed the BGCT to elect its trustees. In 2000, HBU trustees amended the university's charter, giving themselves authority to elect 75 percent of the trustees, with the BGCT electing only 25 percent. Their action violated the convention's constitution and created a relationship crisis. The crisis seemed to abate in 2001, when the university and convention affirmed a relationship agreement. In it, HBU pledged to “maintain a unique affiliation with the BGCT by not affiliating or establishing a formal relationship with other denominations, conventions or religious entities.” But last fall, HBU created a “fraternal relationship” with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, which was created to compete with the BGCT. Now, the BGCT Executive Board has affirmed a recommendation from a special study committee that asks the university to rescind its “fraternal relationship” with the SBTC.
Jesus didn't negotiate for peace with the money-changers in the Temple or the Pharisees who ran Jerusalem. That's because peace-at-any-cost is too costly. The Executive Board's May 25 debate over the request to rescind was warm-hearted and cordial. And excruciating. Some members, including a couple of HBU alumni, expressed anguish over the friction between the school and the convention. Others, including one who helped negotiate the 2001 settlement between the convention and university, expressed dismay that HBU would renege on its expressed faithfulness to the BGCT. Still others plaintively pleaded for the convention to give in to the university in the interest of “peace.”
05/28/2004 - By John Rutledge
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BGCT board asks Houston Baptist University to sever ties with SBTC_53104
Posted: 5/28/04
Michael Bell, pastor of Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, helped negotiate the original relationship agreement between HBU and the BGCT. BGCT board asks Houston Baptist
University to sever ties with SBTCBy Ken Camp
Managing Editor
DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas wants Houston Baptist University to rescind its “fraternal relationship” with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. And the convention will escrow most funds budgeted for the university until the matter is settled.
05/28/2004 - By John Rutledge
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