[ALUmnus]

This kind of dogpiles on what Sly occasionally mentions about Baylor. But it goes to show you how easily secularization can overtake a school. And I'm not saying that Liberty's at risk right now, but this is something us old-timers worry about as each year passes. And I know that a number of students, especially more recently, scoff at the whole "Baptist" thing, but it is important.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/03/02/ ... he-lights/

Baylor University has been the news lately, because of the vote by the university’s regents to allow up to 25 percent of the board to be non-Baptists. The Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, meeting February 21-22, grilled Baylor leaders on this decision — taken without consultation with the convention.

In an odd but revealing twist, the regents basically told the BGCT that they did not consult with leaders there because they knew what the answer would be. After all, the BGCT voted overwhelmingly to reject a similar proposal from Houston Baptist University just last fall. “If we offended you, we apologize,” said regent Gary Elliston. Trust me on this — many were offended.

Now that Baylor has taken the action, it appears that Houston Baptist University intends to reconsider the issue as well. It has been years since the BGCT has been so interesting to watch — and the case can be made that the BGCT sowed the seeds for all of this when it allowed Baylor to escape its oversight through the election of the school’s governing board.

Baylor has made its choice, but it will not be alone in facing this challenge. If Baptists are determined to retain their colleges and universities, they will have to show far greater resolve than in the past. They will have to make certain that their schools are the kind of schools that will attract Baptist students, earn the confidence of Baptist parents, and retain a clear accountability to Baptist churches. Otherwise, the Baptist label will mean little or nothing — merely a tip of the hat to ancient history.

[Sly Fox]

It should be noted that there are two groups of Southern Baptists: BGCT (referenced in story) & the Southern Baptists of Texas. The former is the moderate old line Baptists and the latter is the Conservative group that most of the larger churches in the state belong (an obvious exception being Ed Young Sr.'s Second Baptist in Houston).

Here is basically what this is all about ... money. Both Baylor & HBU want to pursue big money from non-denominational & charismatic donors. Both of those groups view Baylor & HBU as stronger college options than they have otherwise. It should be noted that the primary non-denominational leaders in the state are all Baptists without the branding (Ed Young Jr., Kerry Shook & Matt Chandler).

On the other side of the issue is the amount of funding Baylor & HBU take from the BGCT. They want to keep the money pipeline flowing but without having to be bothered by being influenced by the source.

Frankly I don't have a huge issue with non-Baptists being on the board as long as they agree to the theological principles of the school. At Liberty we have a huge portion of our student body that isn't Baptist and I don't believe it has had a negative impact. As long as those on the board are maintaining the mission of the school then I am fine with the efforts.

Frankly, as a member of a Southern Baptists of Texas church I would prefer many non-denoms on the Baylor & HBU boards as opposed to Baptists in Name Only from BGCT. Some of the churches in the BGCT bear little to no resemblance to Baptist churches as you and I know them. Several here in Texas have ordained open gays as ministers.

[ATrain]

[jbock13]

Let me first say I know nothing about churches in Texas lol. What I can say is Texas is awesome.

The thing I like about Liberty the most is that you don't have to be Baptist to fit in... sure it's an SBC school but we accept all kinds. And sure you will learn Baptist theology but it's no different than the every-day disagreements any Christian will have.

I grew up Church of Christ (which is about as far as you can be for Baptist). However, the church became very legalistic and then they started claiming the old testament was no longer part of the Bible and, along with my family moving, we left the church. At first we were very weary of going to a Baptist church, but after awhile we got used to it.

Personally I don't care what denomination Christians are. We're all one body. And sure denominations are fine, until they divide believers.

Bottom line, I agree with you Sly, I don't have a problem with it as long as they agree to the principles of the school.

[Hold My Own]

Is that a look of shock or a look of OMG I have to pack my bags!!!

[Hold My Own]

Is this not a little silly to even do? Like Sly said the term Baptist is really more of an interpretation in today's society so why risk the negative PR rather than just accept them on the board (of course if they line up with your statement of faith). Is being a Baptist even a requirement for LU's board? Maybe that is a dumb question but I'd almost venture to say no just that the individual has to line up with the mission. I just remember how Doc was about different denominations, never really seemed to phase him.

Do Baptists have a barcode or computer chip in their forehead to be identified that I'm unaware of?

[ATrain]

Is that a look of shock or a look of OMG I have to pack my bags!!!

Look of shock at Sly's statement about one of Texas' baptist organizations allowing openly gay ministers. I prefer to stay on a relevant coast rather than relocate to flyover country