Micah Fries shares an update from Darren Casper who is managing the “Show Me Church Planting Fund.” For background information, the Missouri Baptist Convention de-funded the dually-affilicated MBC/Acts 29 churches, all of whom did not violate their commitments to the North American Mission Board (NAMB) or the MBC. These churches and pastors were approved by both entities and were to receive the financial support as committed and promised by the MBC. Due to some political maneuvering, the MBC reneged on their commitment–without informing Acts 29 or the churches prior to their decision. In a matter of three weeks, the funds were removed.
Here’s the update from Darren Casper:
While there were efforts by some state leaders to go ahead and fulfill the existing funding commitment, it now appears certain that Acts 29 churches will lose their funding by the Missouri Baptist Convention.
St. Louis Metro has kicked in $5,000 to get this fund rolling and the other checks are starting to come in. We are somewhere around $9,000 now, but closer to $26,000 is needed to fund these church plants.
Each of these church plants have been in good standing with the Missouri Baptist Convention and have expressed commitment to the Baptist Faith and Message as well as their partnering relationship with the Acts 29 network.
An accurate record is being kept by our office staff of funds received, distributed, and contributing partners. Unless you tell me otherwise, these churches will know of all the individuals, organizations, and churches that have contributed to the fund. If you have questions, or would like to contribute to this fund:
St. Louis Metro Baptist Association
Attn. Darren Casper – Church Planting
3859 Fee Fee Road
Bridgeton, MO 63044
314.571.7579 x. 103
[email protected]
Incidentally enough, David Tolliver, interim executive director of the MBC has the lead article on their website which is entitled “People Are More Important Than Things.” Ahem. Tell that to the pastors and Missouri Baptists who are being de-funded.
While it is great that $9,000 has already come in, to make up for the MBC, they will need an additional $17,000 to recoup. Please consider supporting these pastors and their churches both through your prayers and your giving.
To contribute to Show Me Church Planting Fund, you can send a check to:
St. Louis Metro Baptist Association
(designate it for the “Show Me Church Planting Fund”)
Mailing address:
St. Louis Metro Bapt. Assoc.
attn. Darren Casper
3859 Fee Fee Road
Bridgeton, Mo. 63044
Here are my previous articles regarding this matter:
2. When I Am Ashamed to be a Southern Baptist
3. Let’s Talk About Accountability – Let’s Talk About You and Me
4. A More ‘Conventional’ Way of Supporting SBC Church Plants
Tim, I type my e-mail at the “comments” page, so I am assuming that you have my e-mail addy… will you send me a test so I can reply!
Thanks,
Yogi Taylor
Timmy,
You said, “Incidentally enough, David Tolliver, interim executive director of the MBC has the lead article on their website which is entitled “People Are More Important Than Things.” Ahem. Tell that to the pastors and Missouri Baptists who are being de-funded.”
You have clearly misunderstood or misapplied the title of the website. Your comment about “tell(ing) that to the pastors…who are being de-funded” would only have any weight in implying that Tolliver is hypocritical if the name of his blog were:
“People are more important than the adherence of others to my particular application of Scripture”
Clearly, Tolliver is NOT the hypocrite you insinuate. People are more important than things… stuff… items… They are just not more important than Pharisaical control that ignores the Sufficiency of Scripture.