TRICK OR TREAT FOR BCGT

While your kids were getting treats on Halloween, you may have been getting tricks if you are a supporter of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The Executive Board met on Halloween to receive a report on an investigation of the misuse of church starting funds between 1999 and 2005 in the Rio Grande Valley.

Here are some of the sickening results. Up to 98 percent of the 258 church starts reported by three pastors no longer exist, if they ever existed. Some definitely never existed. How much of your tithes are we talking? More than $1.3 million in start-up funding plus monthly financial support to those 258 churches.

The report also specifically states that BGCT leaders failed to appropriately investigate thoroughly charges despite the fact that staff members knew about irregularities in the program. As it turns out, three was even an FBI investigation in 2000-2001 regarding allegations of fraud, but BGCT leaders still failed to investigate. Church staffs in Baptist life are well known to cover for their fellows and hush up improprieties. It appears that it extends to denominational life as well. This is borne out by another disturbing part of the report. Try this statement: “It became clear during the investigation that some of the information provided by the BGCT was unreliable. Some of the documents, such as new-church monthly reports, were found to be fabricated.” It sounds like a political party scandal doesn't it? First the wrongdoing, then the cover up. Thank goodness the Executive Board went with an independent investigation.

Evangelicalism continues to take it on the chin, as one scandal after another diminishes the reputation of the church. Those who pretend to lead too often deceive. Those who are called to serve, serve themselves.