When Tennessee Baptist Convention Budgets Run Amuck

Amuck. Defined as "to rush about wildly; lose self-control". The print version of The Baptist and Reflector crossed my desk today and it is filled with information surrounding the November 14-15 annual meeting of Tennessee Baptists at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova (Memphis).

The proposed 2006-2007 Cooperative Program Budget - Executive Board Recommendation is printed at the bottom of page 10 (somehow missing from the electronic, online version of the B&R). It gives me a sense of pride to see 40% of the state budget directed to Southern Baptist Convention items, particularly the 20% that is going to the International Mission Board. The actual dollar increase to the IMB is $58,314 which is the second largest "Actual Dollar Increase" of any item displayed on the budget. One could easily draw the conclusion from this increase that the leaders of the TBC are truly focused on missions... and deep in their hearts, I believe that to be true.

You may have noted in my previous paragraph that the IMB "Actual Dollar Increase" is the second largest of any single line item. Buried at the bottom of the page, away from the Christian Education items, is THE largest "Actual Dollar Increase", a $750,000 line item for the Belmont Study Committee. I have never seen $750,000 actual dollars before and have a difficult time understanding just how much that is. I do, however, understand that $750,000 is over 12 times more than $58,314 (the amount of actual increase given to the International Mission Board). That makes me sick. If we have $750,000 to give, then let's show the world that we are serious about missions and send that $750,000 to the International Mission Board, and give $58,314 to the Belmont Study Committee! And, if not this year...why not "Reallocate the Reallocated Belmont Study Committee" next year?

I want Dr. Jim Porch to step up to the plate and be completely honest with Tennessee Baptists. It is a half truth (at best) to say this money is designated for the Belmont Study Committee. Isn't this money being allocated for expenses surrounding the law suit complaint that the Tennessee Baptist Convention filed against Belmont? Jim, you were not completely honest with the students who confronted you at the convention headquarters and asked you about the money and the law suit. I understand the pressure that you are under not to say anything that might be construed as somthing that might affect the law suit. But when will you be honest with the people who you expect to pay for this line item and say: (1) that the TBC is going to court and (2) that the $750,000 is for legal fees, court costs, and other expenses from the study committee?

Just for the record: the last monies that Belmont received from the TBC were part of the 2004-2005 budget. Why is the Executive Committee still adjusting/allocating/re-allocating 2004-2005 monies for an instutution who is no longer part of the budget process? Those are not Belmont dollars, those are missions dollars who have run amuck.