Texas Baptists reject motion to affirm the SBC’s 2000 statement of faith that limits the role of pastor to men, opt to stick with the 1963 BF&M
Messengers to Baptist General Convention of Texas Annual Meeting rejected a motion to affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message (BF&M) over the 1963 version of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) statement of faith, according to Texas Baptist Standard.
At the center of the debate is the 2000 statement of faith that limits the role of pastor to men.
Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) raised the issue of the 2000 BF&M in the Texas convention in response to a question from a Texas pastor at the SBC Annual Meeting in June.
Ezell said NAMB will not fund church starts within Texas in partnership with uniquely BGCT-affiliated congregations and suggested Texas Baptists change their statement of faith. He said NAMB’s “longstanding commitment” is to start churches in partnership with state conventions that affirm the 2000 version of the BF&M.
“I cannot and will not change that standard,” Ezell said. “But I would love for you to consider and for your state convention to adopt the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.”
Currently, the BGCT includes churches that affirm the 1963 and 2000 BF&M and the 19th century New Hampshire Confession of Faith, said Pete Pawelek, pastor of the Cowboy Fellowship of Atascosa County, who spoke in favor of the motion.