RE: Baylor Rejection of LGBTQ+ Grant
Baylor’s motto is “Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo”—“For the Church, for Texas, for the World.” But the university’s recent decision to refuse a $643,000 grant to the Diana Garland School of Social Work from the John and Eula Mae Baugh Foundation, and the subsequent explanation of the rejection sent out over the president’s signature, does not represent a decision made for the Church, for Texas, or for the world.
The very purpose of the grant was “an academic study on LGBTQ inclusion in the church to address loneliness.” The Church was the setting for the study that sought to address the problem of disenfranchisement, misunderstanding, and isolation for the LGBTQ community as well as for many other marginalized persons. In our current cultural climate where so much anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion, and other gender or sexuality-related legislation is being passed in our state and others or at the federal level, this action by Baylor feels like just one more harsh slap in the collective faces of our neighbors in Texas and around the world.
It is disappointing that Baylor regents and administrators seem to have capitulated to pressure from influential alumni, donors, religious leaders, and other critics of the grant. The university’s action makes me wonder if a more realistic motto for the university might be Pro Exclusio, Pro Pecunia, Pro Inhumanitas—“For Exclusion, For Money, For Inhumanity.”
Robert P. Sellers
Hewitt, Texas
RE: Baylor Rejection of LGBTQ+ Grant
I’m writing to give my perspective on Baylor in light of the statement by Dr. (Linda) Livingstone regarding the returning of the grant money designated for LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
First, I was greatly relieved when Baylor chose to return the grant money. It was the right thing to do. However, I do not believe it was done because of moral courage or a sense of conviction, as I’ve seen others claim. I believe it was done because of pressure from supporters. The reason I see it this way is because I am not convinced the leadership of Baylor actually has biblical convictions. Dr . Livingstone’s statement about returning the money was logically incoherent.
On the one hand, she touts Baylor’s commitment to a biblical sexual ethic, while at the same time she speaks of a commitment to provide a “loving and caring community” for LGBTQIA+ students. While we certainly want to show love and concern to everyone, including those within that community, my desire is to love them to repentance, calling them out of darkness. I have seen no indication that Baylor has the same desire. In fact, they have university-sanctioned student organizations (such as Prism) that specifically advocate for sexual immorality. I am frankly stunned that anyone finds this acceptable at an institution that claims to be Christian. The officially stated position of Baylor does not line up with their actions.
Moreover, in the last week or so, I have learned that Baylor is an official partner of Baptist Women in Ministry. This is an organization that advocates for the full affirmation of women in all areas of Baptist ministry. Their website states that they are “committed to celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ women and open and affirming congregations,” and their advocacy includes “women of every . . . gender identification or expression.”
Frankly, I am convinced that Baylor and Truett Seminary are no longer holding to the Christian faith, regardless of their official public pronouncements. I am deeply disturbed that the faithful givers of Texas Baptist churches, through their gifts to the BGCT, are supporting an institution that is actively encouraging the moral insanity of our depraved culture. What’s worse is that Baptist parents are being deceived into believing that if they send their children to Baylor, they will be sending them to a pillar of Christian virtue. My desire is to see the BGCT sever ties with Baylor and Truett, except for continuing the Baptist Collegiate Ministry as they would at any other secular university so that we might help win the students to Jesus. I do believe that Baylor is a fine academic institution. I no longer believe it is Christian. Therefore, my goal is to see them no longer a benefactor of Texas Baptist money, except as I stated, in our efforts to lead the students to Jesus.
Mike Miller
Senior Pastor
Central Baptist Church
Jacksonville
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.