Southern Baptists: Don't Drink and Stay in School

There will be no Southern Baptist exodus from the nation's public schools - at least for now.Leaders of the nation's largest Protestant denomination Wednesday refused to support a resolution that would have urged the denomination to form an "exit strategy" for pulling Southern Baptist children from public schools in favor of home schools or private Christian schools.

Also Wednesday, the SBC unofficially barred members who drink alcohol from serving as trustees or members of any SBC entity.The ban, part of a larger anti-alcohol resolution that was easily approved by delegates, was proposed by Jim Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

While stopping short of officially preventing drinkers from serving, it "urges" that no one be elected or appointed to SBC offices if that person is "a user of alcohol.""Use of alcohol as a beverage can and does impede the message of Jesus Christ" that Southern Baptists are trying to spread, Richards said.

I'll drink to that!

11 comments:

The Unseen One said...

The Last Supper did not consist of grape juice and salteens.

Thomas Dodds said...

There is no Biblical bar against alcohol; there is against abuse of anything.

This is tantamount to putting people under rule of law. It is unscriptural and not Christ-like.

"'...impede the message of Jesus Christ' that Southern Baptists are trying to spread..."

So it is true that alcohol is impeding the message THEY ARE TRYING TO SPREAD - too bad it isn't the TRUE MESSAGE of Christ.

~Mark said...

Our group (Christian Missionary Alliance) has pastors agree to no alcohol if they are goin gto be pastors within the Alliance. I don't have any problem with that because I know that wise men will know that if you are visiting a society in which to not share in what the host is offerring is an insult, then you sip a little.

They also know how easy it is for things to get out of hand. Alcohol isn't a necessity and I'll not argue in it's favor. I don't hear them denigrating the spiritual state of those who drink alcohol, and if they did they'd be clearly in the wrong.

I don't see a problem with it. "If you want to serve as a Church official, you need to be alcohol free". What's a body gonaa do, die from no alcohol? I know this will be extrapolated on to other substances or activities by those in opposition to it as a "what if" exercise, but right now it isn't there.

Nobody every died from a lack of booze unless they were complete alcoholics to begin with.

The Unseen One said...

Its more of a cultural thing. My family regularly had a glass of wine with dinner.

Thomas Dodds said...

Pastoral and other Church offices come with specific Scriptural instruction. 'not given to wine'. To impose a 'dry' state on ministers is to impose law upon grace.

I agree that since alcohol isn't a necessity one wouldn't argue in favor of it.

I have seen my fair share of those who would look down on any use of alcohol all the while showing their complete dependence on coffee! DOH!

What's a body gonaa do, die from no alcohol? Does this criteria apply to marriage? The same rules can be imposed. Wwhat about eating certain foods on certain days? Again rules could be applied.

If the Son has made you free, you are free indeed. To make imposition is to rmove the liberty that Christ died for. We are free to please him in any and all ways.

~Mark said...

Again though, they aren't using it as the grade of a person's spirituality or salvation, merely an aspect of a leadership position. The prospective pastor has every right to disagree and move on.

I'm pretty close to several leaders of our church as a whole (the CAMA), and have yet to hear complaints from any pastor (even second-hand) that signing the alcohol agreement has in any way harmed them or made them any less likely to walk in the Spirit. (I know that may seem like something nobody would admit, but believe me, I've heard some hair-raising stuff.)

It doesn't seem to me that they are sayign that they have a problem with pastors of other denominations who drink, though certainly they'll have to guard against that feeling creeping in because of this.

I guess I'm just glad that we have a group willing to try and look different from the world instead of more like the world. Unsaved people aren't looking for people just like them in Christ, they want something different from what they're used to, 'cause then they know there's something different about us.

When/if the day comes that they describe alcohol usage (which by the way, I am not against) by a Christian as a descriptor of the state of their Christianity, then I'll wholeheartedly agree that the idea has become legalistic and also wrong, but 'til that happens, I'm really happy to see them take a stand with their leadership.

The leaders are the people everybody looks up to, and while addiction to caffeine, food, porn, laziness and other things are sinful as well as any addiction, you gotta start somewhere.

Plus a wise, mentored pastor will know when to break a rule for the sake of a person or group of people or his witness.

Thomas Dodds said...

I agree to your points. Perhaps what I might say then is that this 'contract' should be between the minister and his Lord - not something signed as a binding contract.

Biblical Church leaders are to do the 'job' voluntarily, recognized (and subsequently remunerated [cared for]) by the rest as one who has moral authority because of the way they HAVE conducted themselves - not necessarily what they will agree to. Having said that, one who is faithful usually will continue as such. Again, Scripture gives for the case where faithfulness breaks down as well.

I think we agree n the character of a minister - perhaps not on the everyday administration of it. But God gives liberty - praise Him for it. And thank Him for faithful ministers!

Shaun Pierce said...

One critical thing we are missing here is this is not directed only to pastors. This includes all.
From the story:

"Also Wednesday, the SBC unofficially barred MEMBERS who drink alcohol from serving as trustees or MEMBERS of any SBC entity."

~Mark said...

What do they mean by "serving as...members"? I'd like to see the original statement to get a better grasp.

If that means barring anyone from BECOMING a member unless they sign an abstinance waiver, that would be far overstepping their bounds for sure!

~Mark said...

I found a more full printing of their actual statement here

http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc06/resolutions/sbcresolution-06.asp?ID=5

and it does appear to mean ALL the members!

Thomas Dodds said...

Legality, all forms of it, denegrates from the glory of God in granting grace and freedom to His children.