With an eye toward potential fallout from the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board has affirmed the creation of a study group concerning out-of-state churches that want to affiliate with Texas Baptists’ GC2 network.
The Executive Board approved by a three-fourths majority (76%) the recommendation regarding GC2 from its senior staff leaders and Executive Committee.
The board convened May 20–21 in a hybrid-format meeting — held both online and in-person, originating from the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton.
The Executive Board affirmed the creation of “an Executive Director’s GC2 Study Group including a new staff position to assist in exploring the issues involved in giving further structure to this ministry.”
“We need to be ready to welcome churches who want to be a part of what God is doing through Texas Baptists,” Executive Director Julio Guarneri said.
Guarneri emphasized the goal is not to compete with the Southern Baptist Convention or create another national convention or missionary-sending agency.
Rather, the GC2 network seeks to “complement” what the SBC is doing, to affirm “displaced churches” and to “walk alongside” women in ministry who “feel vulnerable and hurt,” he said.
‘Provide clarity’ in anticipation of SBC action
The BGCT needs to be able to “provide clarity” about how and if GC2 churches are represented in decision-making, how they are served by Texas Baptists’ staff and whether their students qualify for ministerial financial assistance at BGCT-affiliated schools, Guarneri said.
Messengers to the 2024 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis next month will vote on final passage of the Law Amendment, which essentially would declare churches with women serving as a pastor in any role to be outside the bounds of friendly cooperation with the national convention.
The GC2 network predated by several years any discussion about the SBC constitutional amendment. Former Executive Director David Hardage, who retired in December 2022, launched the GC2 initiative, focused on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
In part, GC2 provided an avenue for churches beyond Texas to partner in Texas Baptists’ efforts to “share Christ” and “show love.”
To date, about 70 churches outside the state affiliate with the BGCT — some identifying as Texas Baptists and many identifying as GC2 congregations.
Guarneri reported inquiries regarding GC2 have “increased significantly” in recent months, prompting the need for greater clarity about the purpose and organizational structure of the GC2 network.
He asked the board to “bless” a task force that already has been at work to explore and articulate a strategic vision for the BGCT.
NAMB already cutting church-starting funds to BGCT
Guarneri also frankly acknowledged if the Law Amendment passes at the SBC annual meeting, churches with women on staff who carry the title “pastor” will face decisions to “either change their titles, change their positions or change their affiliation.”
He also reported the North American Mission Board no longer will fund any church starts in Texas that are uniquely aligned with the BGCT because the state convention has not officially adopted the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message.
Guarneri pointed out the discontinued funding will occur even though BGCT-affiliated churches last year contributed $3.3 million to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and $2.2 million to NAMB through the Cooperative Program.
Texas Baptists “stand fast” in support of local church autonomy, specifically regarding the role of women in ministry, Guarneri said.
The BGCT includes churches that hold to a complementarian position that reserves the role of pastor to men alone, while other churches hold a fully egalitarian belief that both men and women can serve in any ministerial role, he noted.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Ken Camp and originally published by Baptist Standard.
