Within the Missouri Baptist Convention there is dissent concerning the matters of supporting the so called “Acts 29” movement.  Part of the dissent is over their allowance of beverage alcohol which Baptists have long been know for being temperant in their teaching and standards of our churches.

We have on the MBC Executive Board men and women who have been appointed to serve, hear the reports of agencies, committees, and officers; then decide on how to procede with certain matters.  Do we trust them or not.  They all have been sent there from the churches of the MBC with the recommendations of their pastors, Director of Missions (Associations), and other pastors; then they have been approved by the Convention when we meet each year.

Now, many who have disagreed with a decision for us to refrain from supporting Acts 29, have gone into a contentious mode of attacking the leadership of our convention, and raising a dissention which has not been seen before.

I know that the local churches are the head over the Conventions.  The Conventions serve the local churches.  The local church is what Jesus Christ established, and not Associations or Conventions; however, these organizations are tools which we have established to serve us, aid us, give us guidance and direction, and even to strengthen our missions capability.  When we rebell, which is what is happening, we go against the trust that has been put in our Executive Board.

Understand, when a Board, Director, or agency goes contrary to the way of Scripture, steals agencies, and speaks contrary to the local church without its best at heart, then there needs to be a legal, Biblical, prayerful removal of those  who have previously been sent to represent us; but that is not the case with the current members of our Executive Board.  The rebellion is from the outside.

I do not agree with every decision our EB has made, but I do concerning Acts 29 and beverage alcohol.  All I am saying is let the Board do its work the best way they can, and know how, trust them to make good, and godly decisions.  Concerning this matter of Acts 29 and beverage alcohol they have the good of our churches, holding on to strong doctrines which we believe as Baptists, and a pure and clean heart, body and soul for the people of our Convention.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” 13:7 (NKJV).  Then in verse 17 he writes, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

No, the board is not our pastor, nor our leaders for our local church, but we have sent them to represent us.  Let’s let them represent us without burdening them with the dissension which is going on.  Let’s pray for them, support them, and be supportive of their decisions when they are done for our best interest, the good of our people and the glory of the Lord.  It has never pleased the Lord to be contentious against His leadership; let us give the same respect to those who are representing us.  Let us Let them lead without dissension

-by Tim A. Blankenship