Partnership projects still open to all N.C. Baptists

By Norman Jameson

BSC Communications

North Carolina missions partnerships and projects will continue as usual following an announcement by the International Mission Board that limits volunteers in their projects to "members of Southern Baptist churches."

"We will continue to be inclusive, working with all North Carolina Baptists whose hearts yearn to share the love of Jesus with persons beyond their own Jerusalem," said Jim Royston, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina executive director-treasurer.

IMB trustees adopted a policy at their July board meeting that says, "Only members of Southern Baptist churches will be enlisted for volunteer service by the board."

"I assume the policy is not intended to exclude any North Carolina Baptist churches," said Royston. "But there lies in the statement a danger of misinterpretation. Some strong North Carolina Baptist missions-hearted churches - which do not currently make financial contributions to South Baptist causes - send dozens of volunteers overseas each year.

"We will continue to provide ways for all of our churches to be involved in missions in our state, nation and world."

Currently, North Carolina Baptists are involved in international missions partnerships and projects in Malaysia-Singapore, Honduras, Armenia, Cuba, India, China, South Africa and Israel. Volunteers have recently been sent to Ukraine, Germany, Prague and other European nations. Of these projects, the IMB is an active partner only in Honduras and Malaysia-Singapore.

Neither Royston nor Richard Brunson, N.C. Baptist Men's executive director whose office directs partnership mission projects, were consulted before the policy was announced. They believe the policy was enacted when the theology of some non-Baptist Christians on work teams caused confusion among young Christians on site.

The policy, however, is broad enough to be misapplied.

"We're partners with the IMB in Honduras and Malaysia," Royston said. "To change the rules midstream and not talk to your partners about what you're doing is disappointing. That's not how you treat a partner."

Brunson and Royston both emphasized there are "great things happening" in partnership missions. More than 1,000 North Carolina Baptists will travel overseas to help build churches, train leaders and bear witness to the gospel this year alone. National conventions where North Carolina Baptists have teamed with local Christians clamor for a continued relationship.

The IMB policy further states that:

a. Exceptions may be made for members of other evangelical churches for projects with a purpose of entry into target populations, ministry to human needs, prayer, scripture distribution, and construction projects.

b. Projects for church planting; preaching and teaching; theological education, etc., must be filled only by members of SBC churches.

c. Any other exceptions must be approved by the executive vice president.

d. Only members of SBC churches may serve as team leaders for volunteer teams.

All IMB missionaries have affirmed the BF&M and have agreed to work in accordance with it. All groups who go to work with our missionaries are expected to work within the parameters of the Baptist Faith and Message.

"I do not think we need to ask churches to sign things other than responsibility waivers," Royston said. "They are capable of assessing the faith of their members far better than any agency or convention."

"Partnership missions is an integral part of North Carolina Baptist work," Brunson said. "We're here to serve all North Carolina Baptist churches. We have partnerships with IMB and partnerships directly with national conventions. At this point, we're going to continue to do business as usual with all our partners."