Texas Baptists Weigh Break From Church

The Southern Baptist Convention’s largest state unit may sever ties with the denomination--a move that would dramatically drain membership and financial support.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas is openly discussing a break with the national body, which this month rewrote its official statement of faith to disallow female pastors and two years ago called for a wife to “submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband.”

“The truth is that, for some time now, a true Baptist could not support some of the agencies in SBC life,” said the Rev. Clyde Glazener, president of the Texas convention. “We’re not interested in siphoning off a lot of funds from Texas to fund a Jerry Falwell-clone church.”

One proposal under discussion for the Oct. 29-30 meeting of the Texas convention would cut off funds to the national denomination. Texas provides 14% of the budget.

Another proposal would allow congregations outside the state to join the Texas convention, in effect creating a rival denomination.

The Southern Baptist Convention claims 15.8 million members and more than 40,000 churches. If the 2.7 million members of the Texas convention were to form a separate body, it would rank 11th in size among U.S. denominations.