Shocking

A recent intrigue in the Southern Baptist Convention has revealed that the Texas Prestonwood Baptist Church will be withholding their Cooperative Program giving -- "while the congregation discusses concerns about the direction of the Southern Baptist Convention."

I'm not an apologist for Prestonwood, but I find one charge against them particularly confusing. According to Brent Hobbs, "Yesterday’s press release indicated Prestonwood was withholding funding because of their concerns and that it likely would be restored if those concerns were satisfied. This is seeking to influence through financial pressure..." One heading in his article states, "Withholding Funds to Seek Influence Should Be Rejected."

Here is what is confusing to me. Why would an organization that gives influence based on funds complain about withholding funds to gain influence? The precedent is already set. There is influence/votes/power on a money basis. Don't believe it? See here.

According to Article III of their Constitution, "The Convention shall consist of messengers who are members of Baptist churches in cooperation with the Convention." The money basis is delineated in III.1.(3) "Has made undesignated, financial contribution(s) through the Cooperative Program, and/or through the Convention’s Executive Committee for Convention causes, and/or to any Convention entity during the fiscal year preceding."

Such cooperating churches are permitted two (2) messengers each, with "such additional messengers as are permitted below."

"3. The Convention will recognize additional messengers from a cooperating church under one of the options described below. Whichever method allows the church the greater number of messengers shall apply:"(1) One additional messenger for each full percent of the church’s undesignated receipts which the church contributed during the fiscal year preceding through the Cooperative Program, and/or through the Convention’s Executive Committee for Convention causes, and/or to any Convention entity; or"(2) One additional messenger for each $6,000 which the church contributed during the fiscal year preceding through the Cooperative Program, and/or through the Convention’s Executive Committee for Convention causes, and/or to any Convention entity.

You've made money a basis of a seat at the table of power -- and for more seats at the table. Now you must live with the other edge of this two-edged sword! It's the cost of your choice of doing business a certain way.