ABCPSW Board Decision...
We are writing to inform you of an important decision by the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest (ABCPSW). On September 8, 2005, following months of discussion and prayer, the following resolution was approved:
Because the deep differences of theological convictions and values between the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest (ABCPSW) and the American Baptist Churches in the USA (ABCUSA) are understood by the Board of Directors of the ABCPSW as irreconcilable, the Board of Directors of the ABCPSW takes the following action effective September 9, 2005:
Initiate the process to withdraw from the Covenant of Relationships of the ABCUSA. The Executive Committee of the ABCPSW will report to the ABCPSW Board of Directors regarding issues related to this action by December 8, 2005.
Upon approval by the Board of Directors of the ABCPSW recommendations will be sent to the churches for a vote at a specially called meeting of the Region.
Authorize the Executive Committee of the ABCPSW to consult with necessary professionals regarding issues related to this action.
Withdraw from the Budget Covenant of the ABCUSA effective 12/31/05.
Letter from PSW President:
September 12, 2005
Dear Pastor and Congregation,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We are writing to inform you of an important decision by the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest (ABCPSW). On September 8, 2005, following months of discussion and prayer, the following resolution was approved:
Because the deep differences of theological convictions and values between the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest (ABCPSW) and the American Baptist Churches in the USA (ABCUSA) are understood by the Board of Directors of the ABCPSW as irreconcilable, the Board of Directors of the ABCPSW takes the following action effective September 9, 2005:
1. Initiate the process to withdraw from the Covenant of Relationships of the ABCUSA. The Executive Committee of the ABCPSW will report to the ABCPSW Board of Directors regarding issues related to this action by December 8, 2005. Upon approval by the Board of Directors of the ABCPSW recommendations will be sent to the churches for a vote at a specially called meeting of the Region.
2. Authorize the Executive Committee of the ABCPSW to consult with necessary professionals regarding issues related to this action.
3. Withdraw from the Budget Covenant of the ABCUSA effective 12/31/05.
While disagreements relating to Biblical Authority, accountability, and human sexuality have caused tension between the Region and the ABCUSA for many years, it became apparent at meetings in Green Lake, in November 2004 that these issues threatened to splinter the ABCUSA. Dissension centered on the lack of implementation by the ABCUSA of its Resolution on Homosexuality, which states, “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The Regional Executive Ministers Council (REMC) committed itself to make recommendations to the General Board of the ABCUSA before June 2005 to implement the Resolution in ways that would preserve the unity of the denomination. However at meetings in April, 2005 the REMC and the General Executive Council were unable to reach agreement on any proposed implementation, despite the fact that several Regions of the ABCUSA indicated that their constituencies were finding it increasingly difficult to remain aligned with a denomination whose policy on this issue of national importance was contradicted by its actions.
In response to the inability of the ABCUSA to adopt meaningful implementation of the Resolution on Homosexuality, the ABCPSW Board committed itself to distance the Region from the ABCUSA if the ABCUSA did not deal with these issues in a Biblical manner by the end of the Biennial Meetings on July 3, 2005. At those meetings no action was taken to implement the Resolution.
On August 22, 2005 the ABCPSW Board of Directors approved two resolutions:
1. That the ABCPSW endorse a coalition with like-minded regions and American Baptist institutions to work in concert to bring Biblical renewal to the ABCUSA;
2. That the ABCPSW join other Regions in endorsing the Indiana/Kentucky proposal for implementing the Resolution on Homosexuality for approval by the General Board at the November 2005 meeting.
During the Summer of 2005 ABCPSW Executive Minister, Dr. Dale V. Salico, communicated with ABCUSA General Secretary, Dr. A. Roy Medley several times regarding these issues, exploring possible ways to avert the crisis that was building.
On September 7, 2005, Dr. Medley and ABCUSA President Peggy Johnson met with Pastors and Church leaders of the Region in the morning (A DVD of this discussion is available for $5.00. Contact Debbie Gentry- dgentry@abcpsw.com). In the afternoon Dr. Medley and President Johnson met with the Region Board. After these meetings the Board of Directors concluded that theological convictions and values of the ABCUSA and the ABCPSW were irreconcilable, and that it was in the best interest of both for the ABCPSW to withdraw from its present standing in the denomination.
The Board of Directors of the ABCPSW is deeply grieved over this decision. We continue to recognize our brothers and sisters in Christ in the ABCUSA as beloved friends and co-workers in the Body of Christ. Because of our long history and many common concerns in gospel ministry, we will have opportunities for continued fellowship and partnership. Our decision to withdraw from the Covenant of Relationship is made without animosity or malice. We will continue to pray for God’s blessing on the ABCUSA, its leadership, agencies and congregations.
Those with questions regarding the decision of the ABCPSW Board of Directors are requested to contact Executive Minister, Dr. Dale V. Salico at the Church Resource Center in Covina or at pswexec@abcpsw.com.
Your servant in Christ.
Brian Scrivens, President,
ABCPSW Board of Directors
Letter from Dale Salico, PSW Executive:
- September 12, 2005
Dear Co-worker in Christ’s Kingdom,
I greet you in the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ our Lord. I want to share with you my perspective on the decision by the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest (ABCPSW) to initiate the process to withdraw from the Covenant of relationships with the American Baptist Churches in the USA (ABCUSA).
For many years I have worked diligently to maintain unity within the American Baptist Churches. Before coming to the ABCPSW as Executive Minister in 1997, I served on numerous regional and national boards and commissions, including the General Board of the ABCUSA and the Board of International Ministries. I was a member of the ABCUSA Commission on Denominational Unity and led Common Ground Conferences in several Regions, in which pastors on different sides of the issues regarding homosexuality discussed their convictions in a format to maximize communication while minimizing conflict. I have consistently encouraged pastors and congregations to be active participants in the life of the American Baptist Churches, including positions of leadership.
When I accepted the call of the ABCPSW to become Executive Minister, I made a commitment to lift a compelling vision for the Region, to maintain the integrity of the Region’s Biblical and theological convictions, and to strengthen its relationship with the ABCUSA. Despite underlying tensions between the Region and the ABCUSA, our American Baptist Mission Support and involvement have grown.
As your Executive Minister I have advocated for the Biblical convictions and values of our Region in the General Board and Councils of the ABCUSA, striving to do so with clarity, tact and grace. At the critical meetings of the Regional Executive Ministers Council (REMC) and the General Executive Council (GEC) of the ABCUSA in April 2005, I, along with other Executive Ministers, placed numerous proposals to implement the ABCUSA Resolution on Homosexuality on the floor for discussion. Each proposal was defeated, including a proposal to appoint a committee to recommend minimal implementation steps with which we could all live. The members of the GEC understood that several Regions, including the ABCPSW, would find it difficult to remain in the Covenant of Relationships if we reported no progress to our Region Boards. Yet the majority of the GEC insisted that there would be no accountability for implementing the Resolution on Homosexuality.
Following the ABCUSA Biennial in July, I continued to seek an understanding with General Secretary, Dr. A. Roy Medley that would avert a separation between the ABCPSW and the ABCUSA. In three lengthy, cordial yet direct conversations I shared with Dr. Medley the convictions and core values of the ABCPSW, and the kind of steps that the ABCUSA could take to satisfy the leaders of our Region. On September 7, when Dr. Medley and ABCUSA President Peggy Johnson met with PSW pastors, church leaders and our Region Board it was clear that they felt unable or unwilling to consider such steps. I continue to hold General Secretary Medley in high regard as a Christian leader and brother. I commend his willingness to meet with us, and the loving way in which he communicated with pastors and church leaders as well as with the Region Board.
The Region Board has therefore determined that the time has come to create distance between the ABCPSW and the ABCUSA so that both may move ahead in the mission God has given them without continual conflict. With President Scrivens, I say “We continue to recognize our brothers and sisters in Christ in the ABCUSA as beloved friends and co-workers in the Body of Christ. Because of our long history and many common concerns in gospel ministry, we will have opportunities for continued fellowship and partnership. Our decision to withdraw from the Covenant of Relationship is made without animosity or malice.”
What are the implications of this decision? If the churches of the Region approve the recommendation of the ABCPSW Board of Directors:
· The Region would no longer be a member of the ABCUSA and would have no representation on the General Board or Program Boards of the denomination.
· Churches desiring to remain members of the ABCUSA would be able to do so while continuing affiliation with the ABCPSW.
· ABCPSW churches would still be able to support American Baptist missionaries, institutions and projects.
· The ABCPSW would seek to negotiate agreements with the ABCUSA and its related organizations to cooperate in areas of mission important to our congregations.
· The Executive Director of the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) has assured me that pastors and churches in this Region will be able to continue active participation in MMBB’s Retirement, Disability and Life Insurance plans.
As the Executive Committee studies issues relating to withdrawing from the Covenant of Relationships, I will continue in dialogue with leaders of the ABCUSA, praying that if it is the Lord’s will, He will help us resolve the difficulties between us. If, as we believe, our differences prevent us from remaining in the Covenant of Relationships, I will work to establish healthy distance and distinctiveness between our ministries in a way that is honoring to Christ. I ask you to join me in working through our present difficulties in such a way that the world will see that even when Christians cannot resolve their differences, they continue to love, honor and respect each other.
The ABCPSW remains committed to our vision:
Strengthening churches to change their worlds for Christ,
and our core values: - Biblical Authority
- Local Church Integrity
- Leader Development
- Kingdom Multiplication
I feel honored to serve along side of the pastors, leaders, staff and Board of Directors of this Region. This is a new day. As leaders accountable to the Lord, let us be salt and light in this world. I remain committed as your Executive Minister to work with you, empowered by Christ’s love to build:
Healthy Congregations that are
- Biblically and theologically sound,
Passionately reaching and discipling lost people,
Guided by visionary spiritual leaders, - Working together for maximum global Kingdom impact,
Changing their worlds for Christ.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dale V. Salico
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