More from Baptist Press on Tampa…

March 23rd, 2006 | Posted in » Baptist Issues

I was wondering when Baptist Press would get around to posting something about the IMB Trustee meeting….

Here’s one article: Trustees at IMB meeting adopt new document concerning ‘public criticism,’ formalize new missionary selection process.

I find the discussion on the silencing of trustee dissent particularly interesting, especially David Button’s statement:

Trustee David Button of New York added: “Ephesians 4:3, ‘maintaining the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace,’ trumps our constitutional desire to protect our free speech after a decision has been made. We’ve not seen that over the past couple of months. We’ve had things that are tearing our board apart…. It’s a good policy (that) adheres to those biblical maxims.”

Interesting that he thinks silencing dissent is the right way to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Here I always thought the Biblical model was to work through our differences… you know, “bear with one another in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2)?

I remain frustrated with this whole issue. The majority opinion is NOT always correct, and this new policy leaves no room for trustees in the minority to address errors made by the board as a whole (short of resigning so that they can express public dissent).

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