IMB says volunteers must follow BF&M

From wire reports

TYLER, Texas - All groups working with International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries must work within the parameters of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, IMB trustees decided.

Trustees also decided that only members of Southern Baptist churches can lead overseas mission trips.

The decisions were part of a clarification off volunteer guidelines approved at the trustees July 12-14 meeting.

Trustees clarified their policy on enlisting non-Southern Baptists to serve in volunteer projects, following concern expressed by their overseas committee in May about an increase in those numbers.

The policy now states that only members of Southern Baptist Convention churches can fill positions on projects that involve church planting, preaching, teaching and similar functions. Exceptions may be made for members of other evangelical churches for projects that include activities such as human needs ministry, prayer and Scripture distribution.

In other action at the meeting, trustees approved a plan to expand the IMB budget for specific overseas needs. The expansion was possible because of an 18.4 percent increase in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The 2003 offering brought in $136.2 million.

The IMB appointed 58 new missionaries during the meeting.

Randy Arnett, a Missouri native who has served 17 years in West Africa, was elected to lead 292 IMB workers in that region. He succeeds Bill Bullington, who is retiring Sept. 1 after 38 years of service.