The relationship Southern Baptists have with the investigative firm Guidepost Solutions continues to draw mixed reactions across the denomination.
Some continue working through the issues with SBC leaders as discussions develop, while others are taking public stands in opposition.
For instance, in Florida, the State Board of Missions acting ad interim for the Florida Baptist State Convention announced today (March 31) the Florida convention will escrow SBC Executive Committee funds if the relationship with Guidepost moves forward.
In addition, Florida leaders are calling Baptists to pray, be kind and voice concerns. Read full story here.
Focused on Executive Committee funds
If Guidepost or its new Faith Based Solutions arm is retained “in any capacity” following the upcoming June 13–14 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, then the Florida convention staff has been directed to “escrow a percentage of funds commensurate with the allocation percentage” for the EC, according to the March 31 convention news release.
“Additionally, staff shall designate on all remittance reports that the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention shall not receive any financial distribution from funds forwarded by the Florida Baptist Convention on behalf of its churches,” the release states. “This shall remain in effect until such time as the Florida Baptist State Convention gathered in annual session Nov. 13–14, 2023, at Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida, can receive a recommendation from the State Board of Missions regarding the allocation of escrowed funds and recommend a modified Cooperative Program Allocation Budget for the fiscal year 2023–2024.”
Members of the Florida State Board of Missions participating in the March 31 meeting voted unanimously for the move, which was presented in the form of a resolution.
Aaron Burgner serves as president of the State Board of Missions and Paul Purvis serves as president of the state convention. These are elected roles with limited terms of service and are volunteer in nature. Tommy Green serves as executive director of the State Board of Missions, which is the full-time staff position. The Baptist Paper staff reached out to the state convention staff, but they didn’t “have any further comments at this time.”
‘Cease personal attacks’
The resolution also calls for Florida Baptists to “express their sincerest gratitude” to the SBC EC members and members of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force as well as “cease all personal attacks on these brothers and sisters in Christ.”
The State Board of Missions “beseeches Florida Baptist to continue to undergird these leaders in fervent prayer,” the resolution notes.
Read the full resolution and context of concerns here.
As far as The Baptist Paper staff knows, Florida is the first state convention to make this type of move related to the Guidepost situation.
To read more articles about Guidepost’s relationship with Southern Baptists, click here.
