BGCT leaders call Gov. Abbott’s appeal ‘out of bounds’

Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for churches to observe “School Choice Sunday” and for ministers to use pulpits to promote a voucher-style legislative proposal is “out of bounds,” 21 past and present Baptist General Convention of Texas leaders said.

Executive Director-Elect Julio Guarneri and President Ronny Marriott joined 15 BGCT past presidents and former BGCT executive directors Bill Pinson, Charles Wade, Randel Everett and David Hardage in a public statement registering objection to a government official seeking to “co-opt a Sunday morning time of worship.”

“Regardless of one’s view on the legislative proposal, a call from a government authority to intervene in Sunday worship goes beyond what any church body should accept or condone,” the Texas Baptist leaders stated.

In a Sept. 19 teleconference with clergy, Abbott announced he would call a special session for the purpose of passing “school choice” legislation. He called on pastors to “go to the pulpit, speak from your pulpit to your congregation, and let them know how important this issue is to the fabric of the future of Texas.” In a press release the same day, Abbott urged Texans to participate in “School Choice Sunday” on Oct. 15.

“I believe that every parent can do a better job of raising their children if they are given the power to choose the school that is best for their child,” Abbott stated. “If they are given that power, that child will go down a pathway to better educational success, personal success and relationship success.”

Separation of church and state affirmed

The past and present Texas Baptist leaders affirmed the historic Baptist principle of separation of church and state.

“It is out of bounds for any representative of the government to co-opt a Sunday morning time of worship,” they stated. “A government’s request for churches to join a legislative agenda violates the conscience concerning religious liberty and separation of church and state. Churches that too closely entwine with political affairs hamper both their Christian witness and citizenship responsibilities.

“Texas Baptists remain committed to the separation of church and state. Government should not interfere with the free exercise of religion, and no religion should depend on public tax dollars for support.

“We encourage all citizens, including church members, to be informed on the various proposals before the state, and we also encourage all churches to protect their autonomy from interference by the state.”

The Texas Baptist leaders closed by offering “prayers and encouragement to Baptists in Texas and all citizens of goodwill to honor the separation of church and state, while seeking the flourishing of all people made in the image of their Creator.”

Joining Guarneri, Marriott and the four former BGCT executive directors in signing the statement were former BGCT presidents Michael Evans, Danny Reeves, René Maciel, Kathy Hillman, Jerry Carlisle, Victor Rodriguez, David Lowrie, Joy Fenner, Steve Vernon, Michael Bell, Albert Reyes, Ken Hall, Clyde Glazener, Dick Maples and Joel Gregory.

Guarneri and Wade each served as president of the convention before they were elected as executive director.