Deep Division Emerges Within Missouri Baptist Convention

As Republicans look to conservative Christians for help in the fall elections, they should mark the Missouri Baptist Convention off their target list.

According to the Missouri Baptist Pathway, the Convention is facing deep internal strife in a battle for the soul of the conservative denomination.  It seems unlikely they will have much time or energy for secular politics this fall.

Here is an excerpt from the Pathway story:

The March 27 meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Nominating Committee was unusual in that it featured a 36-minute address by the MBC president, debate about whether the group should have a business session, dueling devotions about biblical peace, and a vote to rebuff its new chairman by affirming a sub-committee structure that was put in place by a vote of the full committee last November.

When the smoke finally cleared, it was obvious that two groups of Missouri Baptist conservatives continue to exist—Missouri Baptist Laymen’s Association (MBLA or now known as “The Right to Know” group), and Save Our Convention (SOC). It also became apparent, from the comments of various participants, that the 174th annual meeting of the MBC, scheduled for Oct. 27-29 in St. Louis, will be hotly contested and pivotal.