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SBC President's Page - Press Release
The Executive Committee
of the
Southern Baptist Convention
Statement
of the President
Frank Page
on Chapel Speakers, Trustee Protocol, and Entity Cooperation
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Several persons have asked my opinion regarding
a recent chapel address by the Rev. Dwight McKissic at Southwestern
Seminary on August 29. As I have not heard that chapel address,
I cannot speak to specific issues in the speech.
However, reaction to the speech has prompted an
interesting array of comments. I can speak to some of the broader
issues that seem to have come forth from this occurrence.
The President and staff of SWBTS are in an awkward
situation. My prayers go out to them. I love Southwestern Seminary
and wish God’s greatest blessings on the school and its
president. While some may question the handling of this situation,
please remember that they are trying to be fair, even under great
pressure.
While some may see this as a negative occurrence,
there are some very positive outcomes if we choose to deal with
this in a godly, mature, and appropriate fashion.
1. We must affirm the principal of
theological discussion, even debate, within our seminaries. While
there are certain bedrock doctrines that must be affirmed
without debate within the Baptist family, there are many
issues which are open to interpretation. I am very thankful
for Southwestern’s stance that they do not “instruct
its chapel speakers about what they can or cannot say.”
2. It is very encouraging to know
that Southwestern Seminary joins this president in strongly
asserting that they do not need to be in a place which “appears
to be critical of the actions of the board of trustees
of a sister agency. “ I believe
that both professional staff and trustees need to be
very respectful about the issues and stances of other
entity Trustee boards and professional staff. While it
is certainly appropriate for there to be disagreement
and even debate, professional protocol needs to be observed
when one is dealing with disagreements, particularly
in(but not limited to) a public setting.
Obviously, SWBTS recognizes this.
I believe that this public recognition will help our entire
convention in the days ahead.
I pray that all the Southern Baptists will continue
our prayer support for Southwestern Seminary and Dr. Paige Patterson.
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