Entities dispute partnership with breakaway Mo. convention

Lawyer demands escrowed funds; Mo. leaders reiterate stance

CBF, Mainstream Leaders Fill Leadership of New Convention

"A former board member of Mainstream Missouri Baptists, an organization critical of the Southern Baptist Convention, was elected president of the new Baptist General Convention of Missouri, a group that says it wants to cooperate with the SBC."

New Missouri Convention, CBF Share Similar Core Values

"The Baptist General Convention of Missouri, a newly formed group of moderate Baptist churches that professes support for the Southern Baptist Convention, appears to have more in common with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a national shadow denomination made up of churches opposed to the SBC.

"All but the third of the BGCM's core values, unveiled at the new Missouri convention's April 19-20 organizational meeting, are taken directly from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Missouri's core values statement."

Missouri Speaker Says Old Testament Stories Can't Be Taken Literally

"Some Old Testament Bible stories, including the account of Jonah, cannot be taken literally, said a Southwest Baptist University Bible professor who led weekend Bible studies for the new Baptist General Convention of Missouri.

"Scott Langston, an associate dean and professor of biblical studies at Southwest Baptist University, shared his views following an April 19 meeting of moderate Missouri Baptists who are forming a new convention."