By Jim Hill

Former Executive Director

Missouri Baptist Convention  

            Like many Missouri Baptists I have great love for Missouri Baptists.  My entire history and heritage is bound up in the fabric of Missouri Baptist life and the Missouri Baptist Convention.  My father was a Missouri Baptist pastor and director of missions.  I grew up in a Missouri Baptist family where I found Christ as my Savior, and I was nurtured in a Missouri Baptist church.  I attended one of our Missouri Baptist colleges where I met the Missouri Baptist girl God had planned for me to marry.  I sensed my call to ministry on the campus of that college, and I began my preparation for ministry.  I was supported and guided in my early ministry by gracious and patient Missouri Baptist lay leaders.  I have served as pastor of five Missouri Baptist churches and interim pastor for others.  I served as a home missionary in a Missouri Baptist association, and I represented Missouri Baptists while serving on the staff of the former Home Mission Board.  I was a church planter helping to birth several new Missouri Baptist churches.  I have served Missouri Baptists with the Executive Board staff for nearly four years.  I have loved, prayed, worked, and wept for Missouri Baptists through these years.

            Unfortunately, some of those who now lead our convention are more interested in power, control, and convention politics than the cooperation and commitment to missions that has characterized our convention for more than 167 years.  They are more interested in exclusion than inclusion.  Many are filled with anger, bitterness, and jealousy that has deep roots.  Utilizing political processes and misleading information the Project 1000 leadership has gained control of the convention, and they are committed to absolute control.

            Many of these leaders would rather destroy the ministries of our institutions than find a way to cooperate.  They have no hesitation to escrow the funds Missouri Baptist have given to support these institutions.  I believe our institutions are led by conservative and dedicated Baptists from across our state.  I believe they are seeking to do what is in the best interest of our institutions.  I believe that is the trust they were given when they were elected.  It is inconceivable to me that the Convention leadership would seek to take legal action against our institutions.  Yet, it is clear that they intend to move forward with the filing of lawsuits.

            Some Project 1000 leaders desire to see some of our churches leave the convention.  I was grieved like many Missouri Baptists to see the convention vote to revoke the messenger credentials of one of our oldest churches at this year’s annual meeting.  I believe the present leadership will continue to exclude churches.  Several have told me personally that they believe some of our churches should leave.

            This is not the convention that I have known through the years of my life and ministry, and I do not believe that Missouri Baptist Convention life will ever be the same.  Many of our present leaders believe those who disagree with the direction the convention is moving should leave.  As much as this situation grieves me, I have reluctantly come to agree with them.  It is time to quit fighting with fellow Baptists and move forward with the Kingdom work.  That is what Baptists have always done.  That is the freedom that comes from being Baptist.

            Those who feel they no longer have a home in the Missouri Baptist Convention can form a new state convention that will continue the heritage of Missouri Baptist life.  Those who are unwilling to see the ministries of our institutions suffer because of the escrowing of funds can find a new way to cooperate and support these institutions.  Those who desire to include their sister churches and are willing to respect the differences that come with local church autonomy can vote to seat messengers others would exclude.

            I would choose to become a part of a new Baptist state convention because it is the only way that I can continue to be what I have always been—a Baptist.  I would choose to become a part of a new Baptist state convention, because I am more interested in extending His Kingdom than in power politics and control.  I am interested in helping churches become healthy and effective.  I am interested in seeing new churches strategically planted in communities that need a Gospel witness.  I am interested in helping the ministries of our institutions grow and expand.  I do not know where God will lead in my personal ministry, but if he chooses to leave me in my home state of Missouri, I plan to be a part of a new Baptist Convention of Missouri.  I believe it will be a convention committed to the values that have been the foundation of the cooperative mission work of Baptists for generations.  I hope you will prayerfully consider becoming a part of this new and exciting opportunity. 

            We have the opportunity to work together to build the foundation for a new state convention.  Churches from across our state that are tired of the fighting and distractions of power politics can come together to form a new Baptist state convention.  A preliminary study indicates that a new convention is not only feasible, but it could begin with significant membership and strength.  I believe it will be founded upon a commitment to the ministry of local churches.  This convention will not only provide a way for us to continue to support all our institutions, but it will enable us to forge new partnerships with these institutions as we build strategies to reach our state for Christ.  It is time for a fresh beginning and a new vision for the future of Baptist work in Missouri.  I look forward to being a part of this new work.  We will not fight with our brothers and sisters, but we will not allow them to destroy our opportunity to cooperate for the sake of His Kingdom.

jimhill@integritynetwork.net

4023 Catalina Drive

Jefferson City, MO  65109

Phone:  (573) 659-3838