Several churches in the Association have included women in their diaconate for years, but controversy erupted when former director of missions John Reid participated in an ordination service that included women. As offended parties expressed their grievances, complaints also surfaced over the use of modern translations of the Bible rather than the KJV.

Some churches hold to a "King James Only" view, which asserts that the Holy Spirit inspired the KJV translators to produce the only perfect and authoritative version of the Bible. Adherents regard the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts as immaterial, believing that biblical inspiration reached a point of perfection in the KJV. As a result, all later translations are considered to be patently inferior to the KJV, and their use is seen as a sign of rebellion against God's authority.

On Oct. 16, 1997, Mike Moore, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, moved that the Association "appoint a committee to study and make recommendations as to the future direction of this Association." Ed Beddingfield, Association moderator and pastor of First Baptist Church, Sylva, proposed that he and Moore consult to appoint the committee.

After several meetings in 1998, Beddingfield and Moore mutually agreed to co-chair a committee of 17 members. The committee met nine times and its members conducted a survey of key leaders in all Tuckaseigee Association churches before developing a report for presentation at the Association's annual meeting on Oct. 14 at Shoal Creek Baptist Church and on Oct. 15 at Webster Baptist Church.

The committee found that the issues of division relate primarily to differing views on the ordination of women, the activities of the director of missions, the King James Version, the authority and interpretation of scripture and financial support of the Association. Eighteen of the Association's 45 churches, including some of its most outspoken critics, had contributed nothing during the previous year.

The survey showed more commonality on issues of missions, church autonomy and Christian courtesy. Twice as many respondents indicated a desire to remain unified as opposed to dividing into two or more associations.

The committee recommended that Tuckaseigee Association remain unified. It also recommended that messengers affirm the value of local church autonomy and the reality of differing views relative to scripture, deacons and the KJV, while acknowledging that such approval did not imply agreement with all practices. The recommendations encourage all members to be sensitive to others and make every attempt to avoid offense.

The committee suggested that steps be taken toward hiring a new director of missions, and commended members of the Association's Committee on Nominations and Committee on Committees for their efforts to seek a balance of leadership in the Association.

The report was adopted upon its first presentation Oct. 14, and required no further action on the following night, though Tommy Holden, pastor of Balsam Grove Baptist Church in Cashiers, strongly endorsed the KJV in his sermon to Association members.

Holden said revivals and conversions decreased after the Revised Standard Version was published.

"The King James is right, it is perfect and it has withstood critics for over 300 years," Holden said.