Is ‘sole membership’ the SBC’s best option for NOBTS?

In recent months, Florida Baptist Witness has reported on the differences of opinion which exist between leaders of the SBC Executive Committee and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary concerning the wisdom of sole membership for the school. (See, “EC asks New Orleans Seminary to adopt sole membership,” Feb. 26, 2004 and “NOBTS trustees vote to ask SBC messengers to settle debate over sole membership,” April 29, 2004.

Sole membership is a legal status which the Executive Committee believes best protects the interests of the Southern Baptist Convention concerning its entities. New Orleans Seminary leaders believe that the uniqueness of Louisiana law and Baptist polity concerns require a different approach from other SBC entities, all of which have adopted sole membership.

Because messengers to the 2004 Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis may be asked to address the matter of “sole membership,” Florida Baptist Witness invited Morris Chapman and Chuck Kelley to offer their views. The Witness hopes that this point-counterpoint will provide balanced information for Southern Baptists on this important issue.

–James A. Smith Sr., Executive Editor