Jim Porch - Tennessee Baptist Scapegoat of the Year

It is really quite sad. Tennessee Baptist Convention Exectutive Director, Dr. Jim Porch is apparently the latest target of the conservative resurgence within the Tennessee Baptist Convention. In a recent Concerned Tennessee Baptist newsletter updates, Dr. Porch is singled out as an accomplice to the Belmont University Board of Trustees actions that resulted in the filing of a new charter with the State of Tennessee. Larry Reagon, pastor of Adams Chapel Baptist Church in Dresden and the current TBC 2nd Vice President is quoted here:

"If we examine all the evidence, we will find that Dr. James Porch has assisted Belmont for several years to go in this direction," Reagan said. "He has repeatedly told the messengers, the Executive Board, and various committees that the TBC does not own Belmont."

From that same article (without attribution):"Should a conservative slate of officers be elected, as expected, at the Nov. 14-15 Tennessee Baptist Convention at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., attention could turn to Porch's leadership, both for his handling of the Belmont issue and long suspicion by fundamentalists that he has aided the nomination process to give churches sympathetic to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a moderate breakaway group, disproportionate leadership on TBC boards and agencies."

Now, it seems, labeling someone as having any association with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, present or past, is enough to have them removed from leadership in the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

Dr. Porch, we'll keep the coffee hot for you over here with the rest of the refugees...you can bring your own mug regardless of whether it is conservative, moderate, or liberal...just as long as it is Baptist.