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Baptist General Convention of Texas
Baptist General Convention of Texas
Baptist General Convention of Texas
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Baptist General Convention of Texas
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationBaptist
ScriptureProtestant Bible
TheologyEvangelical Baptist
PolityCongregational
GovernanceExecutive Board
Executive DirectorJulio Guarneri
AssociationsSouthern Baptist Convention, Baptist World Alliance
RegionTexas
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
OriginJune 29, 1886
SeparationsSouthern Baptists of Texas Convention
Congregations5,375 (2023)
Members2,038,537 (2023)
Hospitals9
Tertiary institutions9
SeminariesGeorge W. Truett Theological Seminary
Other nameTexas Baptists
Official websitetexasbaptists.org

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), more commonly known as the Texas Baptists, is a Baptist Christian denomination in the U.S. state of Texas. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance.[1] Texas Baptist offices are located in the city of Dallas, though convention staff are located across the state. According to a denomination census released in 2023, it claimed 2,038,537 members and 5,375 churches [2]

History

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There were Baptists among the first Anglo-American settlers of Texas, but under Spain (and later Mexico), non-Catholic religious worship was prohibited. The first Baptist sermon preached in Texas was preached by Joseph Bays of Missouri as early as 1820.[3][4] The first Sunday School in Texas was organized by a Baptist, Thomas J. Pilgrim, at San Felipe de Austin in 1829. Mexican authorities forced the Sunday School to disband and hindered the attempts of the earliest Baptist preachers.

The first Baptist church in Texas was organized in Illinois by Elder Daniel Parker. Parker visited Texas in 1832, and concluded that the Mexican laws clearly prohibited organizing a church in Texas. He also decided the immigration of an organized church into the state would not violate the colonization laws. To this end, he and several others constituted a church in Illinois, then traveled to Texas by wagon train, arriving in Austin Colony by January 20, 1834. Parker held a strict predestinarian theology, as well as his controversial Two-Seed theology. Like those travelers, the church was named Pilgrim. This church, and those churches of like faith that followed, remained aloof from the majority of Baptists in Texas. Pilgrim Church is the oldest Baptist church in Texas, and survives today as a Primitive Baptist church near Elkhart, TX.[5]

The first missionary Baptist church in Texas was organized at Washington-on-the-Brazos by Z. N. Morrell in 1837. The following year, Isaac Reed and R. G. Green formed the Union Baptist Church, about 5 miles north of Nacogdoches, Texas. This church, now known as the Old North Church, is the oldest surviving missionary Baptist church in Texas, and cooperates with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.[6] After Texans achieved independence from Mexico, Baptists began to flourish in Texas. Many churches were formed in the days of the Republic of Texas. With the multiplication of churches came also the organization of associations. The first association was the Union Baptist Association, organized in 1840.[7]

As the local associations increased, Missionary Baptists became interested in cooperation together on the broader state level. In 1848 representatives from four associations met at Anderson, Texas, and started the Baptist State Convention of Texas.[8] In 1853, the Baptist General Association of Texas was organized at Larissa in Cherokee County in east Texas. Other bodies were formed to serve their regions (and often due to dissatisfaction with the other bodies), such as the East Texas Baptist Convention (org. 1877 at Overton) and the North Texas Baptist Missionary Convention (org. 1879 at Allen). B. H. Carroll, pastor of First Baptist in Waco, was instrumental in getting the General Association, during its 1883 meeting, to propose that five conventions in Texas consider the expediency of uniting as one body.

The North Texas Convention dissolved, and recommended its churches affiliate with the Baptist State Convention. The East Texas Convention also joined the state convention. In 1886, the Baptist General Association of Texas and the Baptist State Convention of Texas ratified the terms of merger and consolidated into one body called The Baptist General Convention of Texas.[9] In addition to Carroll, other leaders in the merger included S. A. Hayden, J. B. Cranfill, J. B. Link, J. M. Carroll, R. T. Hanks, and G. W. Smith.

Following this short-lived unity, S. A. Hayden was involved in controversy; during the S. A. Hayden controversy of the early 20th century, the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas was founded and split with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.[10] The second major division following the formation of the convention was the Premillennial Missionary Baptist Fellowship's foundation by J. Frank Norris in 1933.[11]

As the Baptist General Convention of Texas grew in spite of these initial divisions, and with its affiliation to the Southern Baptists, by the end of the 20th century, the Baptist General Convention of Texas was involved in a doctrinal struggle regarding the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. During the intense struggle for control of the Southern Baptist Convention's resources and ideological direction between moderates and conservatives, the state convention—being the largest by finances and organization—largely resisted the conservative and at-times fundamentalist course of the Southern Baptist Convention from the 1980s-1990s.[12] Defending individual soul liberty and the autonomy of the local church, by 1998, a number of conservative churches split with the theologically moderate convention to form the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.[13]

Since this schism and the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist General Convention of Texas has mobilized affiliated churches at annual meetings to elect moderate or centrist candidates endorsed by the organization in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 1994, it was suggested that the convention completely severed ties with the Southern Baptists.[12]

By 2000, the state convention voted to cut its contributions to Southern Baptist-operated seminaries, and stopped financially contributing to the SBC Christian Life Commission.[14][12] In 2000, the convention also declined to affirm the Southern Baptist Convention's 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.[15] Following, in 2001, the Baptist General Convention of Texas recommended shifting contributions away from the SBC's North American Mission Board.[16] The Baptist General Convention of Texas has funded and maintained their own home and foreign missions organizations.[17][18]

Since then, the state body has continued to remain theologically moderate, operating and partnering their theologically moderate or centrist seminaries, colleges and universities, health and financial institutions, and church planting networks separate from the Southern Baptist Convention's entities.[1] The Baptist General Convention of Texas has also primarily affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance,[19][1] while maintaining nominal affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.[20]

In 2009, the convention began to go by the name Texas Baptists to better communicate who they are, after having their name change deferred in 2008.[21]

In 2024, the North American Mission Board announced it would not fund new churches affiliated with the Texas Baptists unless they change their statement of faith.[22] In June 2024, the executive director of the Texas Baptists wrote, "There are those who would like Texas Baptists to adopt a strictly complementarian position like the SBC and the BFM 2000. There are also those who would like Texas Baptists to be officially egalitarian. Yet, we are committed to unity in diversity under the Scriptures and the Lordship of Christ." It was also noted that non-Texan churches sought affiliation with its GC2 movement.[22] Prior to the executive director's statement, the Texas Baptists affirmed a group-study concerning non-Texan churches desiring affiliation without competing against the Southern Baptist Convention or formal schism.[23]

Doctrine

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The Texas Baptists are theologically moderate,[24] and the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message has been adopted as a standard statement of faith.[25] Some affiliated churches use the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, and other statements of faith; however, neither of the two are required for full inclusion with the Texas Baptists.[25][26] Its GC2 movement's statement of faith has also been approved for use.[27] Overall the Texas Baptists believe in the Holy Trinity and the virgin birth;[28] the Bible as the only document having authority over churches and the conscience of believers;[29] and the priesthood of all believers and missions.[30][31] The Texas Baptists affirm the local autonomy of Baptist churches, operating in democratic process in contrast to episcopal and presbyterian polity among other Christian denominations.[32]

Affirming congregationalism, however, the Texas Baptists have collectively opposed the exclusion of women's ordination by the Southern Baptist Convention.[33][34] As of May 2023, approximately half of the state's campus ministers are women, and they have been provided scholarships for ministry preparation in seminaries; the Texas Baptists have also endorsed female military chaplains, though few serve as lead pastors.[35] In May 2023 according to the Texas Baptists executive director—Craig Christina—"conformity over the role of women in the church is neither a test of fellowship nor a condition of cooperation."[35]

Pertaining to marriage and sexuality, the Texas Baptists affirm any sexual relationship outside of marriage are considered "out of harmonious cooperation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas." The Texas Baptists also denounce homosexuality, adultery, incest, and pornography. In 1998, however, it resolved "churches should seek to minister to all persons" and "the love of God embraces all persons and instructs all Christians to share God's love with others."[36] Refusing to denounce same-sex relationships, churches have been expelled for not cooperating with the Texas Baptists.[37][38] The relationship between the Texas Baptists and Baylor University was also subjected to review for LGBTQ inclusion, as some affiliated members wanted to exert greater control over affiliated institutions regarding LGBTQ policies; by February 27, 2023, the convention and university have decided to remain affiliated with one another.[39]

Partner ministries

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The convention has various partners:[40]

Seminaries

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Universities

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Boarding schools

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Human services

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Medical

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News

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  • The Baptist Standard

See also

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References

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Sources

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  • Texas Baptists: A Sesquicentennial History, H. Leon McBeth (1998)
  • A History of Texas Baptists, by James Milton Carroll
  • Centennial Story of Texas Baptists, L. R. Elliott, editor
  • Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, Norman W. Cox, et al., editors
  • Flowers and Fruits from the Wilderness, by Z. N. Morrell
  • Missionary Baptists in Texas: 1820-1998, by Oran H. Griffith
  • The Blossoming Desert: A Concise History of Texas Baptists, by Robert A. Baker
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Baptist General Convention of Texas

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The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), also known as Texas Baptists, is a cooperative association of Baptist churches in established on , 1886, through the merger of the Baptist State Convention and the Baptist General Association of Texas to strengthen Baptist work in the state via , missions, , and social ministries. It comprises over 5,300 affiliated churches, including significant numbers of (1,200), African American (1,000), and intercultural (350) congregations, united in fulfilling the through collaborative efforts rather than hierarchical control. The BGCT supports key Baptist institutions such as and , and has historically aided in establishing seven hospitals, four children’s homes, and five homes for the aged, while annually starting hundreds of new churches to expand Baptist presence in . Its governance structure emphasizes accountability among churches, partners, and staff, with leadership including Julio Guarneri, fostering ministries in areas like theological education, church administration, and global missions. A defining controversy occurred in the late 1990s when theological conservatives, differing on issues such as women's ordination and perceived moderation in doctrine, formed the independent Southern Baptists of Convention (SBTC), resulting in a split that divided Texas Baptist resources and affiliations. Despite such divisions, the BGCT maintains its focus on cooperative kingdom work, prioritizing empirical church growth metrics and first-hand partnership data over external narratives, while navigating ongoing debates within broader Baptist circles on confessional standards like the 2000.

History

Founding and Early Expansion (1820-1900)

Baptist missionary activity in predated the region's annexation to the , with the first recorded Baptist worship service held in 1820 among Anglo-American settlers in . The inaugural Baptist congregation, known as the Pilgrim Predestinarian Baptist Church, organized in 1834 under the leadership of Elder Daniel Parker, a Primitive Baptist preacher who emphasized strict Calvinist doctrines and opposed societies. This church relocated from as a body, marking the initial institutional foothold for amid sparse settlement and legal restrictions on Protestant worship under Mexican rule, which granted limited religious tolerance only after 1834. The formation of the Union Baptist Association on October 9, 1840, represented the first cooperative network among , comprising three churches—Independence, LaGrange, and Travis Park—and focusing on mutual support for and . This associational structure proliferated as Anglo settlement accelerated post- in 1836, with additional bodies emerging to coordinate missionary efforts aligned with the broader Southern Baptist emphasis on voluntary societies for domestic and foreign outreach. In 1841, established the Texas Baptist Education Society to promote and theological training, followed by the Texas Baptist Mission Society for among settlers and indigenous populations. These initiatives culminated in the chartering of in 1845 by the Education Society, initially as a central institution to train ministers and educators, reflecting ' prioritization of intellectual preparation for in frontier conditions. Statewide organization advanced with the Baptist State Convention's founding on September 28, 1848, at First Baptist Church in Anderson, where representatives from 22 churches and 55 delegates convened to unify missions, education, and publications under a single body. Doctrinal disputes over —a movement advocating strict church succession and —along with regional divisions exacerbated by the Civil War and Reconstruction, led to fragmentation, spawning rival groups like the Baptist General Association in the . Expansion continued through associational evangelism, with church plants increasing from dozens in the 1840s to hundreds by the 1880s, supported by itinerant preachers and Sunday schools established as early as 1829 by figures like T.J. Pilgrim. Reconsolidation occurred with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) on June 29, 1886, merging the Baptist State Convention and Baptist General Association to streamline resources for missions and institutions like Baylor and the newly affiliated Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This unified entity facilitated accelerated growth into the late 19th century, emphasizing autonomous local churches while pooling funds for orphanages, hospitals, and frontier outreach, though early controversies, such as the 1890s exclusion of editor S.A. Hayden over governance disputes, tested its cohesion and prompted minor schisms. By 1900, Texas Baptists had established a robust network, with associational minutes documenting sustained numerical gains driven by population influx and revivalistic preaching rather than centralized mandates.

Integration with Southern Baptist Convention (1900-1980)

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) deepened its cooperative ties with the (SBC) in the early 20th century through shared missions and institutional support, building on pre-1900 alignments with SBC entities like the Home Mission Board, which had facilitated the establishment of approximately 900 churches in Texas by 1892. In 1908, the BGCT founded in Fort Worth as a theological training center, which evolved into a major SBC institution emphasizing education for national and international ministry. This period saw expanded collaboration on frontier evangelism, with BGCT leaders leveraging SBC resources to address Texas's rapid population growth and establish mission points in underserved areas. A landmark in financial integration occurred with the 1919 Seventy-Five Million Campaign, a joint SBC initiative for missions, education, and benevolence, to which Texas Baptists committed $16.5 million, reflecting the BGCT's substantial role in sustaining national programs amid post-World War I expansion. Internal tensions, such as fundamentalist preacher J. Frank Norris's campaigns against perceived modernism at —culminating in his 1925 removal from BGCT-affiliated roles—tested but did not sever these bonds, as the conventions adopted the unified Cooperative Program in 1925 to streamline giving, with BGCT churches allocating portions of undesignated receipts to both state and SBC causes. By the 1940s and 1950s, BGCT membership surged to over 1 million by mid-century, positioning as the SBC's largest state convention and a primary funding source for entities like the Foreign Mission Board. In the post-World War II era, cooperation extended to social and ethical initiatives via the BGCT's Christian Life Commission, established in 1951, whose leaders like Foy Valentine also directed the SBC's counterpart from 1959, coordinating joint seminars on issues including racial justice in the 1960s. Texas churches contributed to SBC-wide efforts like the 1968 resolution condemning racial discrimination, though practical desegregation in BGCT congregations lagged, with only select urban churches integrating by 1963 amid broader resistance. Prominent BGCT figures, including W.A. Criswell's 1968 SBC presidency, underscored Texas's influence in national leadership, fostering doctrinal and operational synergy until emerging theological divides in the late 1970s. By 1980, this integration had solidified the BGCT as a powerhouse within the SBC, channeling millions annually through the Cooperative Program to support seminaries, missions, and agencies.

Conservative Challenges and Internal Divisions (1980-Present)

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the broader (SBC) underwent a conservative resurgence, driven by leaders advocating and challenging perceived theological in SBC institutions, such as seminaries. The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), while affiliated with the SBC, resisted full alignment with this shift, emphasizing local church autonomy and moderate positions on issues like women's roles in ministry and biblical interpretation. This stance created internal tensions, as conservative factions within Texas Baptist churches viewed BGCT leadership as insufficiently committed to the SBC's doctrinal affirmations, including the 1978 revisions. By the mid-1990s, these divisions intensified, culminating in a formal split on November 10, 1998, when approximately 500 conservative-leaning Texas Baptist churches, representing over 300,000 members, voted to disaffiliate from the BGCT and establish the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC). The SBTC positioned itself as more closely aligned with the SBC's conservative leadership, adopting the 2000 as its confessional standard and criticizing the BGCT for diluting doctrinal standards. BGCT leaders, in response, defended their cooperative model, which prioritized church autonomy over centralized doctrinal enforcement, leading to accusations from conservatives that the BGCT harbored moderate or progressive influences incompatible with SBC priorities. Further strains emerged in 2000, when the BGCT's executive board voted to withhold approximately $5 million in annual funding from SBC entities, citing disagreements over the SBC's revised 2000 , which strengthened language on wifely submission and restricted women from pastoral roles. This decision reflected BGCT's commitment to interpretive flexibility but exacerbated divisions, prompting more churches to dual-align with the SBTC or fully depart. Over the subsequent decades, the SBTC grew rapidly, surpassing 2,000 affiliated churches by the 2010s, while the BGCT maintained its moderate identity but faced ongoing conservative critiques for affiliations with institutions like , perceived by some as drifting toward secular influences. Moderating organizations within the BGCT, such as Texas Baptists Committed, played a key role in opposing conservative incursions during the 1980s–2000s but announced cessation of operations in July 2017, citing diminished need amid stabilized moderate control. Persistent divisions have manifested in disputes over program funding, with the BGCT rejecting mandatory adoption of the as recently as November 2024, reinforcing its distinct path from SBC conservatism. These challenges have resulted in a bifurcated Texas Baptist landscape, where theological conservatives increasingly favor the SBTC for its explicit inerrancy commitments, while the BGCT upholds a prioritizing missions over doctrinal uniformity.

Beliefs and Doctrine

Core Baptist Principles and Confessions

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) affirms historic Baptist distinctives, including by immersion as a public of personal in Christ, the of the local church in governance and decision-making, the emphasizing direct access to without human intermediaries, and the to protect religious liberty. These principles underscore , whereby individuals are responsible before for their decisions, and the two ordinances of and the Lord's Supper as symbolic acts of obedience rather than . In terms of confessions, the BGCT adopted the 1963 (BF&M) as its unifying doctrinal statement during the annual meeting on November 9, 1999, following an earlier affirmation in 1980; this confession articulates core tenets such as the inspiration and authority of Scripture as the supreme and practice, the triune nature of , human depravity and by grace through alone, the church as a local body of baptized believers under Christ's headship, and as a mandate. Unlike the 2000 BF&M revision adopted by the , which includes explicit affirmations of and complementarian roles for men and women in church leadership, the BGCT has not required the 2000 version and rejected a motion to affirm it at the 2024 annual meeting, maintaining alignment with the 1963 edition to accommodate doctrinal diversity among affiliated churches. Neither confession serves as a binding for church affiliation, reflecting Baptist emphasis on voluntary cooperation and scriptural sufficiency over creedal imposition. The 1963 BF&M organizes beliefs into sections on as Creator and Sovereign, as fully and man who atoned for through his death and , the Holy Spirit's role in regeneration and sanctification, humanity's creation in 's yet fallen into requiring personal and for redemption, the church's mission in worship, discipline, and missions, and eschatological hope in Christ's return; BGCT churches may adopt additional statements, but fidelity to these essentials fosters unity amid interpretive variances on secondary issues like women's or end-times views. This confessional framework supports BGCT's commitment to biblically faithful ministry, prioritizing , discipleship, and ethical stances such as the sanctity of human life from conception, while resisting centralized doctrinal enforcement to preserve congregational freedom.

Key Theological Distinctives

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) affirms the 1963 as its primary confessional standard, adopted by convention messengers in 1999 and reaffirmed in subsequent actions, distinguishing it from the Southern Baptist Convention's 2000 revision, which introduces stricter language on scriptural inerrancy and pastoral roles. This earlier confession emphasizes core doctrines such as the , the and lordship of Christ, salvation by grace through faith alone, and the security of the believer, while avoiding later expansions on gender roles in church leadership. In 2022, the BGCT also approved the GC2 Statement of Faith for optional use by affiliated churches, which reinforces these elements alongside Baptist ordinances of by immersion and the Lord's Supper as symbolic acts of obedience rather than . Central to BGCT theology is the doctrine of , the belief that each individual stands directly accountable to God without human intermediaries, enabling personal responsibility in matters and interpretation of Scripture. This principle, rooted in the , undergirds voluntary limited to regenerated, baptized adults and supports congregational governance, where local churches retain autonomy in doctrine and practice. The serves as the sole authority for and practice, with emphasis on its sufficiency for and , though BGCT churches exhibit interpretive diversity on secondary issues due to these distinctives. BGCT positions on social issues reflect in affirmed areas, such as the 2004 resolution upholding as the union of one man and one woman, while prioritizing religious liberty and to protect voluntary cooperation in missions. Evangelism and missions remain paramount, driven by the , with theological education historically tied to institutions interpreting Scripture through these lenses rather than centralized creedal enforcement. This framework fosters cooperation among diverse congregations while maintaining orthodox essentials like the virgin birth, , and bodily of Christ.

Differences from Southern Baptist Convention Positions

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) diverges from the (SBC) primarily in its stronger commitment to local church autonomy over centralized doctrinal enforcement, allowing affiliated churches greater flexibility in interpreting core Baptist principles. While both entities affirm the as a general guide, the BGCT does not require strict adherence to the SBC's 2000 revision, which includes explicit complements to and . This has led to tensions, particularly since the SBC's conservative resurgence in the late and , where the BGCT resisted what it viewed as overreach into congregational affairs. A prominent difference concerns the role of women in ministry. The SBC holds that of /elder is reserved exclusively for men, as affirmed in its 2000 and enforced through disfellowshipping churches that appoint women to senior pastoral roles, with over 1,600 such actions since 2023. In contrast, the BGCT treats women's participation in ministry—including pastoral functions—as a matter of local church decision, without imposing denominational restrictions; fewer than 1% of its approximately 5,300 cooperating churches have women as senior pastors, but the convention has passed resolutions celebrating women's contributions to ministry and . This stance reflects the BGCT's prioritization of congregational , even as it avoids explicit endorsement of women in all pastoral offices to maintain broad . The BGCT also permits greater diversification in missions funding and partnerships, enabling churches to allocate Cooperative Program gifts between the SBC, the more moderate (CBF)—formed in 1991 amid SBC conservatism—and state-level initiatives, rather than mandating full upstream flow to SBC entities. This flexibility stems from historical friction during the SBC's shift toward stricter accountability on issues like and , prompting the BGCT to critique SBC seminaries in 2000 for diverging from "Texas Baptist beliefs" in theological education. Consequently, the BGCT has developed alternative affiliations, such as with Logsdon Seminary (until its 2023 closure amid internal debates) and other institutions emphasizing moderate interpretations of doctrines like and . These positions underscore the BGCT's resistance to the SBC's confessional rigor, fostering a network that accommodates a spectrum of conservative to moderate Baptist expressions while sharing core commitments to and .

Governance and Operations

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) operates as a voluntary association of autonomous Baptist churches, exercising no authority over member congregations, which retain under Christ. Governance emphasizes efforts in missions, , and evangelism through structured annual meetings and an elected Executive Board, with decisions guided by the Convention's and bylaws. Affiliated institutions maintain independent boards, though a majority of trustees for entities like seminaries and universities are elected by the Convention to ensure alignment with Baptist principles. The annual meeting, held each fall, serves as the primary decision-making body, where messengers elected by cooperating churches—allocated based on church membership and contributions to the Cooperative Program, up to a maximum of 25 per church—conduct including approval, resolutions, and elections. Officers, comprising a president, two vice presidents, and secretaries, are elected annually by majority vote, with the president and vice presidents limited to two successive one-year terms. For the 2024–2025 term, the officers are President Ronny Marriott of First Baptist Church in Richardson, First Vice President Debbie Potter of Trinity Baptist Church in , and Second Vice President Joseph Adams of First Baptist Church in Hughes Springs. Various standing committees, such as those on credentials, resolutions, and nominations, are appointed by officers to handle specific functions like verifying messenger eligibility or recommending Executive Board directors. The Executive Board, consisting of 90 directors selected from 30 geographic sectors across Texas (three per sector), oversees Convention operations between annual meetings, administers funds, employs staff within budgetary limits, and represents Convention interests. Directors are nominated by a dedicated Committee to Nominate Executive Board Directors and elected by annual meeting messengers to staggered three-year terms, renewable once for a maximum of six consecutive years; the board meets three times annually under Robert's Rules of Order, requiring a quorum of 50 percent. Board officers, including a chairperson and vice chairperson elected annually by the directors, preside over meetings, set agendas, and appoint ad hoc committees as needed. Executive leadership is provided by staff headed by the Executive Director, elected by the Executive Board, who hires personnel to execute the Convention's mission and manages daily operations in alignment with approved goals and finances. As of 2025, Julio Guarneri serves as Executive Director, leading the organization, while Associate Executive Director Craig Christina supports oversight of key initiatives. This structure facilitates decentralized yet coordinated ministry, with staff organized into teams focused on areas like missions, church connections, and administration, reflecting the Convention's emphasis on voluntary partnership over centralized control.

Financial Management and Budgeting

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) oversees its finances through an annual budgeting process managed by convention staff, reviewed by the Executive Board, and approved by messengers at the annual meeting, emphasizing projections, research, and stewardship principles. The Executive Committee coordinates budget planning, financial affairs, and progress monitoring, with operational support from the and controller. Fiscal year aligns with the calendar year, and transparency is maintained via public year-to-date reports, audited statements, and church giving data. Primary revenue derives from undesignated Cooperative Program (CP) contributions by affiliated Texas Baptist churches, which fund core operations after a fixed allotment of 79% retained for BGCT ministries and 21% forwarded to entities or other worldwide partners, as adopted in recent . Supplementary income includes investment earnings from endowments, conference fees, product sales, and designated gifts such as the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas missions. For the 2025 missions and ministries , adopted November 2024 at $36,716,950, revenues project $27.8 million from CP (76%), $8 million from investments (22%), and $1.4 million from fees and other sources (4%). This reflects a modest increase from 2024's $33.8 million gross CP budget, amid stable but challenged giving trends, with year-to-date CP receipts through August 2025 at $19.1 million against a $21.2 million target. Expenditures prioritize missional priorities, with departmental allocations in the 2025 budget including $6.3 million for health and human care institutions, $4.6 million for collegiate ministry, $2.8 million for church starting, and $2.2 million for educational institutions.
Category2025 Proposed Allocation (millions)
Health & Human Care$6.3
Collegiate Ministry$4.6
Church Starters$2.8
Educational Institutions$2.2
Theological Education~$6.4 (based on prior patterns)
Administrative costs, compensation, and ministry programs constitute the bulk, often projecting net deficits offset by designated funds and reserves. BGCT assets, including $248 million in cash and at year-end 2023, support long-term sustainability through prudent investment management focused on income generation. During the , the 2020 budget was reduced to $27.5 million amid revenue shortfalls, demonstrating adaptive fiscal responses. Policies stress , with resources for affiliated churches on and , though convention-level investment details remain internally administered.

Annual Meetings and Decision Processes

The Baptist General Convention of Texas holds an annual meeting each year, typically spanning two days, at a time and location determined by messengers at least two years in advance, with the Executive Board empowered to adjust details in emergencies. These gatherings serve as the primary venue for , where messengers elect officers such as the president (limited to two successive one-year terms), approve the budget, adopt resolutions, and address affiliations and other business. Sessions incorporate , fellowship, reports from committees and institutions, and workshops, drawing approximately 2,000 messengers and visitors in recent years, as seen in the 139th meeting in Waco with 2,030 attendees. Messengers represent cooperating churches and are apportioned based on the church's membership and contributions to the BGCT's budget from the prior : two for the first 100 members (or fraction thereof), two additional for the first $250 given, one more per 100 members or $1,000 contributed thereafter, and up to six extra per $2,000 beyond membership-based limits if giving predominates, capped at 25 total per church (four for mission churches). To participate, messengers—must be members of their electing church—present credentials for registration with the Registration and approval by the Credentials Committee, which verifies eligibility and resolves challenges submitted in writing during the meeting; only enrolled and present messengers hold voting rights, with no proxies permitted. Business proceedings adhere to Robert's Rules of Order (latest edition) unless superseded by the constitution or bylaws, with the order of business established in the first session upon recommendation by the Committee on Convention Business. A quorum requires 25% of enrolled messengers. Elections proceed by ballot or acclamation by the second day, demanding a majority vote and run-offs between top candidates if none secures it initially; constitutional amendments necessitate a two-thirds majority over two successive conventions, proposed no later than the second day. The Committee on Committees nominates members for standing committees, while the Credentials Committee oversees seating disputes. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board with a two-thirds vote, confined to the stated purpose. Interim authority resides with the Executive Board, comprising 90 directors elected by annual messengers, which supervises operations, employs staff under the , manages funds, and exercises powers not exclusively reserved for the convention in session, subject to annual reporting and . This structure underscores the BGCT's congregational , emphasizing local church while enabling cooperative decisions through messenger representation.

Affiliated Institutions

Seminaries and Theological Education

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) facilitates theological through financial support and cooperative relationships with affiliated institutions, primarily directing resources via the Cooperative Program to provide scholarships for Baptist students pursuing ministry preparation in accredited programs. This assistance, totaling over $1 million annually in recent years for theological across affiliated schools, is administered through the institutions' financial aid offices and targets undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees in ministry-related fields. In addition to accredited offerings, BGCT collaborates on non-accredited training programs offered statewide, including multilingual options, to equip church leaders without formal degree requirements. Key graduate-level seminaries include George W. Truett Theological Seminary at , established in 1993 and accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, which offers , , and degrees with an emphasis on Baptist heritage and practical ministry. Truett maintains formal affiliation with BGCT, receiving convention funding for student scholarships, as reaffirmed in a 2023 agreement extending cooperative ties for another decade. B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary, integrated with since 2023 and previously operating as the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, provides fully online, accredited master's and doctoral programs in divinity and ministry, endorsed by BGCT's Theological Education Council for alignment with convention priorities. Houston Theological Seminary at rounds out primary affiliates, delivering hybrid and related degrees focused on urban ministry contexts. BGCT's institutional relations committee periodically reviews and endorses degree programs at these seminaries to ensure compatibility with Texas Baptist doctrinal emphases, such as congregational autonomy and , while adapting to financial constraints that have led to consolidations, including the 2020 closure of Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University due to unsustainable enrollment and revenue shortfalls. Post-closure, Hardin-Simmons transitioned Logsdon to an undergraduate-focused School of Theology, retaining BGCT ties for non-seminary programs but ceasing graduate operations. This shift reflects broader trends in Baptist theological , where BGCT prioritizes cost-effective, accessible models amid declining traditional enrollment.

Universities and Higher Education

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) maintains affiliations with multiple in the state, providing financial and programmatic support to institutions that integrate Baptist principles into higher education. These universities operate autonomously but elect trustees who serve as messengers to BGCT annual meetings and receive allocations from the convention's Cooperative Program receipts. The partnership emphasizes preparing students for professional fields, ministry, and civic leadership within a Christian framework. Key affiliated universities include in Waco, in Dallas, in Marshall, Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, in Houston, in Brownwood, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, and with campuses statewide. Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio focuses on bilingual theological and leadership training for Hispanic communities. These institutions collectively enroll tens of thousands of students and offer degrees in liberal arts, business, education, sciences, and health professions, with required chapel attendance and faith-integrated curricula at many. BGCT support encompasses base institutional grants, enhancements for theological programs, and targeted scholarships. In fiscal year 2019, the convention distributed $4.28 million in base funding across nine universities, allocating $535,524 per affiliated university and $265,681 each to Baylor and due to their larger endowments and revenue bases. An additional $1.7 million supported theological education initiatives, ranging from $38,825 at Houston Christian to $683,825 at Dallas Baptist. Scholarships for ministerial students and children of BGCT pastors totaled $80,000 that year, aiding enrollment at five universities. Over the 2015–2019 period, BGCT higher education funding reached $38.2 million, though allocations declined 5% amid reduced Cooperative Program contributions from churches. This assistance underscores the convention's priority on sustaining Baptist-influenced academia, with universities in turn contributing to , missions training, and community outreach aligned with BGCT goals.

Healthcare, Human Services, and Other Ministries

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) extends its mission into and healthcare via affiliated institutions that deliver child welfare, family counseling, , , senior living, and medical treatment, often integrating spiritual care with practical aid. These entities operate independently but align with BGCT principles, receiving cooperative funding and endorsement while reporting to convention oversight where applicable. In 2023, BGCT allocations to human care partners totaled approximately $2.5 million, supporting programs serving over 100,000 individuals annually across . Buckner International, a key BGCT-affiliated agency founded in 1879, operates over 70 programs including for 1,500 children yearly, services placing 200 infants, and communities housing 2,000 seniors in facilities like those in and . Its Family Hope Centers provide parenting classes and emergency aid to 10,000 low-income families, emphasizing self-sufficiency through job training and . Buckner also manages international orphan care in and , resettling 500 refugees annually. STCH Ministries, established in 1863 and formally affiliated with BGCT since the 19th century, focuses on child placement and family restoration, operating residential homes for 300 at-risk youth in Corpus Christi and international medical missions in and serving 5,000 patients yearly with surgeries and clinics. Its Faith & Finances program, partnered with BGCT churches, has trained 1,000 families in budgeting since , reducing debt by an average of 40%. Counseling services address trauma, with 80% of participants reporting improved family stability post-intervention. Hendrick in Abilene, affiliated through BGCT ties, operates a 522-bed providing , including and , treating 25,000 inpatients and 200,000 outpatients annually as of 2024. It maintains a Division of Mission integrating chaplaincy, with 20 endorsed chaplains offering spiritual support in end-of-life and recovery settings. BGCT's Baptist Chaplaincy Relations endorses over 100 chaplains statewide for and roles, ensuring Baptist presence in healthcare without direct operational control. Other partners include Baptist Community Services in Amarillo, funding wellness programs for 5,000 seniors via home health and nutrition services, and Baptist Health Foundation of , which granted $1 million to BGCT in 2018 for ministerial wellness initiatives extending to screenings. These efforts prioritize empirical outcomes like reduced hospitalization rates, tracked via annual reports to BGCT, amid broader Baptist commitments to alleviate suffering without governmental dependency.

Missions and Outreach Programs

Church Planting and Evangelism Efforts

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), through its Evangelism Team, equips and trains affiliated churches to fulfill the by sharing , offering resources such as free consultations, discipleship programs, and training. These efforts include specialized initiatives like the Unapologetic Evangelism Conferences, which provide practical instruction on defending the faith and engaging contemporary audiences, as held in locations such as Richardson in recent years. The team emphasizes Holy Spirit-led outreach, partnering with local congregations to enhance strategies amid declining rates in broader Baptist contexts. Church planting forms a core component of BGCT's missional strategy, coordinated via the Center for Missional Engagement, which deploys missionaries focused on , discipleship, and establishing new congregations. Programs target underserved areas, including multi-housing complexes, parks, and models, providing training for leaders to initiate ministries in apartment settings and student dormitories. The Church Planting Centers offer residencies for assessing and mentoring potential planters, while resources support funding, replanting declining churches, and mergers to sustain growth. In October 2024, a church starting gathered representatives from 32 nationwide church starts and replants, underscoring ongoing commitment to multiplication despite challenges like funding dependencies. The Multiplying and Planting (MAP) initiative and Texas Baptists (TXB) missionaries extend these efforts internationally, supporting 75 missionaries across 17 countries through church adoptions and partnerships with entities like the . Leadership transitions in December 2024 appointed Dr. Clinton Lowin as director of and Church Planting Centers, aiming to strengthen in unreached groups via national disciple training. Domestically, BGCT receives annual allocations from the North American Mission Board—$200,000 for and $100,000 for —though recent doctrinal tensions have prompted discussions on future alignments, with NAMB President Kevin Ezell hosting informational sessions for BGCT-affiliated pastors in early 2025. These programs align with BGCT's Cooperative Program, which allocates resources for both Texas-based and global outreach.

Domestic and Global Mission Initiatives

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) supports domestic missions through programs administered by its Center for Missional Engagement, which mobilizes churches for initiatives including disaster recovery, community rehabilitation, and via the BOUNCE program targeted at groups. Additional domestic efforts encompass church starting and replanting with resources for , , media, counseling, and ; multi-housing and planting in complexes, parks, and dormitories; and the Philippi Church Prison Ministry, involving prisoner-led prayer, worship, and testimony groups within Texas prisons. The TXB Missionaries program appoints volunteers or support-raised individuals committing at least 20 hours per week to Texas-based settings, such as ministries aiding Spanish-speaking victims, literacy and ESL programs, and border supply support, following background checks and prioritization of church partnerships. These initiatives receive through the Cooperative Program, with church starters allocated $2,599,541 in the 2024 budget, alongside donor-designated contributions of $810,000 for planting efforts. BGCT's domestic missions extend to border-focused River Ministry projects emphasizing , development, and family support, often in coordination with initiatives but centered on -adjacent needs. The Mary Hill Davis Offering, managed through I Am Texas Missions, allocates resources to advance -specific , , and care ministries, with 2026 projections directing 30% to serve ministries, 56% to leadership advancement, 8% to aid for the vulnerable, and 6% to proclamation efforts. For global missions, BGCT channels support via the Texas Baptists Worldwide offering, directing 54% of gifts to missional efforts through the Center for Missional Engagement and 10% to international partnerships aiding missionaries and pastors. The Missionary Adoption Program pairs Texas churches with overseas Baptist missionaries for prayer, financial sponsorship (100% of offerings forwarded directly), and visitation, covering regions including (Nepal, , ), (Sierra Leone, , ), , , , , , , , and expansions to and . In the June 2022–May 2023 reporting period, these global endeavors contributed to 10,872 professions of faith, 504 baptisms, service to 207,251 individuals, and 143 new church starts, alongside partnerships in areas like the , New York, , /, and intercultural projects in , , , , and . The Cooperative Program further sustains worldwide chaplaincy at $43,200 in 2024, while missions mobilization receives $178,649. BGCT's overall 2025 missions and ministries totals $36,716,950, integrating these domestic and global priorities.

Community and Social Services

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), through its affiliated human care institutions and initiatives, supports a range of community and aimed at addressing needs such as , child welfare, hunger relief, and health assistance. These efforts are channeled via partnerships with organizations like Buckner International, which provides , services, and support for vulnerable children and families, operating with an annual exceeding $74 million in U.S. aid. Similarly, STCH Ministries, an explicitly affiliated agency, delivers children's homes, programs, and family strengthening services across , emphasizing Christian-based human care as one of 28 such institutions supported by the BGCT. In 2019, the BGCT launched Faith Fosters , a faith-based initiative to recruit and train foster families, responding to 's child welfare crisis where over 30,000 children enter annually; the program partners with local churches to provide training, support groups, and . Baptist Community Services, another BGCT-affiliated nonprofit in Amarillo, offers emergency aid, food pantries, and housing assistance to low-income residents, serving thousands through collaborations with local congregations. The BGCT's Christian Life Commission oversees and Care Ministries, directing resources toward food insecurity and alleviation, including advocacy for policies upholding human dignity. Health-related services are extended through partners like Hendrick Health and Baptist Health Foundation of , providing community clinics, preventive care, and support for underserved populations in rural and urban areas. These ministries collectively emphasize self-sufficiency and spiritual guidance, with funding derived from BGCT Cooperative Program allocations and church designations, enabling scalable impact without direct operational control by the convention.

Controversies and Criticisms

Doctrinal and Polity Disputes

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) has navigated doctrinal and polity disputes primarily through its commitment to local church autonomy and voluntary cooperation, often in tension with the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) more centralized doctrinal expectations. During the and 1990s, BGCT leaders resisted fundamentalist efforts to impose stricter interpretations of and authority, framing such moves as threats to Baptist principles like and the priesthood of the believer. Moderates retained control by emphasizing Texas Baptists' historical independence, fervent evangelism, and missions focus—such as the initiative aiming for 2,000 new churches—while portraying inerrantists as external agitators. This stance preserved the BGCT's moderate identity amid the but prompted conservative churches to form the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) in 1998, which requires affirmation of the 2000 (BF&M 2000) for fellowship and now includes over 2,700 churches. A key polity flashpoint emerged in November 2024, when BGCT messengers defeated a motion to affirm the SBC's BF&M 2000 by a wide margin during the annual meeting's business session on November 12. Proponents argued the statement aligned with core Baptist doctrines, but opponents contended it was crafted specifically for SBC contexts, risked excluding diverse BGCT-affiliated institutions like Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, and deviated from the 1963 by removing Christocentric interpretive criteria. BGCT leaders, including Executive Board Chair David Lowrie, stressed that mandatory adoption could undermine church and cooperative missions, prioritizing relational unity over uniform doctrinal subscription. Doctrinal enforcement has tested BGCT in cases involving sexuality and . In 2023, the convention expelled multiple churches, including two in June, for publicly affirming same-sex relationships, citing incompatibility with historic Baptist teachings on and sexuality as grounds for disfellowship despite local norms. This action drew criticism from progressive voices for inconsistency with moderate but reflected boundaries on core convictions. In response to SBC actions on women's pastoral roles and the proposed Law Amendment—which seeks to bar churches with female senior pastors from convention cooperation—the BGCT Executive Board in May 2024 created the GC2 (Great Commission and Great Commandment) study group. This initiative addresses potential influxes of out-of-state churches disaffected by SBC policies, establishing guidelines for affiliation while reinforcing Texas-centric polity focused on missions collaboration over doctrinal litmus tests. The group, including staff, pastors, and lay leaders, aims to balance autonomy with accountability amid shifting alignments.

Financial and Ethical Scandals

In 2006, an internal investigation by the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) uncovered the misuse of approximately $1.3 million in church-planting funds allocated to operations in the Rio Grande Valley from 1999 to 2005. The funds, intended for establishing new congregations, were disbursed to three primary entities, including support for dozens of reported church starts, many of which proved to be phantom or non-functional entities with fabricated attendance and membership figures. Key lapses included inadequate oversight by BGCT staff, failure to enforce internal accountability guidelines such as site visits and financial audits, and misplaced trust in regional church-planting leaders who submitted unsubstantiated reports. The scandal, dubbed "Valleygate" in some Baptist circles, drew FBI scrutiny and eroded donor confidence, prompting criticism of executive leadership under then-director Charles Wade for insufficient preventive measures. The probe detailed specific irregularities, such as monthly stipends and startup grants totaling over $1 million funneled to leaders like Emilio Azael de la Garza, who oversaw entities claiming to plant up to 50 churches but delivered minimal verifiable results. included discrepancies in records, unaccounted vehicles purchased with convention funds, and funds diverted for personal use rather than ministry objectives. While no criminal charges resulted directly from the BGCT's findings, the highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in decentralized models reliant on self-reporting, leading to recommendations for enhanced verification protocols. In response, the BGCT executive board approved reforms in November 2006 to restore trust, including stricter financial reporting requirements, mandatory third-party audits for church plants, and centralized review of grant applications. These measures aimed to prevent recurrence by prioritizing empirical verification over relational trust in fund allocation. No comparable large-scale financial scandals have been publicly documented in BGCT operations since, though ongoing budget pressures from declining cooperative program giving have necessitated staff reductions and reallocations unrelated to misconduct. Ethically, the scandal raised questions about stewardship of tithes and offerings, with critics arguing it exemplified a breach of fiduciary duty to Texas Baptist donors who contributed under expectations of transparent ministry impact. BGCT leadership acknowledged the moral imperative for , framing the incident as a failure to uphold biblical principles of honest administration rather than isolated malfeasance. Broader ethical critiques of BGCT financial practices have been limited, though affiliated churches have faced separate abuse allegations handled at the local level, without evidence of convention-wide cover-ups or policy lapses comparable to those in the national .

Positions on Social and Cultural Issues

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) maintains conservative positions on social and cultural issues, rooted in biblical interpretations emphasizing the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and . These stances are articulated through resolutions, executive board actions, and statements from affiliated entities like the Christian Life Commission (CLC), which serves as the convention's ethics and arm. On abortion, the BGCT has consistently opposed the practice, passing resolutions against it seven times since 1980 and supporting legislative efforts to restrict it. In 2017, the convention aligned with pro-life coalitions to advocate for limits on elective abortions, including heartbeat bills, while emphasizing alternatives like and crisis pregnancy support. The BGCT's healthcare affiliates, such as Baptist hospitals, prohibit abortions on demand per convention policy. These positions reflect a commitment to the unborn as bearing God's , though the convention also addresses poverty and maternal support as complementary pro-life concerns. Regarding marriage and sexuality, the BGCT affirms that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman, with sexual relations honoring God only within such unions and abstinence required outside marriage. This ethic, reaffirmed in annual conventions, has led to the disfellowshipping of congregations affirming same-sex relationships or performing same-sex weddings; for instance, in 2016 and 2023, churches like those in Dallas and elsewhere were deemed out of "harmonious cooperation" for public endorsement of same-sex sexuality. The convention views deviations as incompatible with scriptural teaching on human sexuality as binary and ordered by creation. In matters of roles and ministry, the BGCT supports women serving in various ministerial capacities but distinguishes these from senior roles, aligning with complementarian views that recognize biblical distinctions in church . A statement incorporated as an article of , emphasizing male-female complementarity, while a 2023 annual meeting motion affirmed women in "ministerial" (not explicitly "pastoral") roles amid debates in broader Baptist circles. This approach seeks to celebrate women's contributions without endorsing egalitarian structures that the convention sees as conflicting with texts like 1 Timothy 2. Affiliated women's ministries address cultural confusion by promoting biblical identity as rooted in creation, countering contemporary ideologies. The BGCT upholds religious liberty as a core Baptist principle, advocating for soul freedom, , and protection from government coercion of conscience. It supports organizations like the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and has critiqued policies, such as certain expansions, that could compel participation against faith convictions. In 2023–2025, the CLC opposed foreign influences targeting churches and emphasized safeguarding worship freedoms amid cultural pressures. These commitments trace to historic Baptist emphases on voluntary faith over state-enforced religion.

Recent Developments

Budget and Partnership Adjustments (2024-2025)

In September 2024, the BGCT Executive Board approved a proposed 2025 operating budget of $36,716,950, representing 102% of the $35.29 million budget adopted for 2024. This adjustment included a forecasted 2.5% increase in Cooperative Program receipts to $27.8 million and raised maximum funding for new church starts from $75,000 to $125,000 per plant. Messengers at the November 2024 annual meeting ratified the budget, emphasizing strategic increases in church starting, the GC2 Initiative for , Ministries, and theological education across five ministry centers. The budget projected a 2% rise in total revenue to approximately $45.3 million, with 79% allocated to in-state ministries and 21% to worldwide partners selected by contributing churches. Specific boosts included $1.1 million for Texas Baptists Worldwide Missions Initiatives and Partnerships, supporting programs like Missions Mobilization ($340,000) and Go Now Missions ($200,000). These changes aimed to address rising costs while prioritizing kingdom-focused amid flat or declining giving trends in some Baptist entities. Partnership adjustments with the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board (NAMB) centered on church planting amid doctrinal tensions. In May 2024, NAMB halted direct funding for BGCT-aligned church plants due to the BGCT's refusal to affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, which includes restrictions on women in pastoral roles—a stance the BGCT has historically resisted. Negotiations led to a February 2025 agreement providing a $300,000 annual NAMB grant to the BGCT, limited to supporting churches affirming the 2000 confession, with access to "Send Network" training, coaching, and resources in a neutral format. This represented about 10% of the BGCT's church planting budget; the BGCT, which facilitated over 30 new churches in 2024, targeted doubling that number in 2025 through combined resources while maintaining its independent affiliation process. The BGCT also launched the Texas Baptists Insurance Program in June-July 2025 to offer affiliated churches , best practices, and financial relief, with initial board appointments and reserve funding approved by the Executive Board. This initiative addressed vulnerabilities exposed by rising insurance costs and claims in church networks, independent of SBC entities.

Relations with SBC and Emerging Alignments

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) cooperates with the (SBC) primarily through financial contributions from affiliated churches to SBC entities like the and North American Mission Board, enabling joint participation in domestic and international missions. This partnership dates to the late but has been marked by friction over governance, with the BGCT emphasizing local church and resisting SBC impositions on issues such as women's and associational affiliations. In 2000, amid conservative SBC shifts, BGCT messengers voted to redirect $5 million in Program funds away from SBC causes toward Texas-specific initiatives, while approving non-Texas church affiliations to broaden its base. Tensions escalated in the 2020s over SBC efforts to enforce complementarian standards, including the failed Law Amendment to bar churches with women pastors from cooperation, which highlighted BGCT's more permissive stance on pastoral roles. In May 2024, the BGCT Executive Board created the GC2 to assess "fallout" from SBC policies and facilitate affiliations for out-of-state churches seeking alternatives, reflecting anticipation of SBC expulsions or withdrawals. This move positions the BGCT to absorb moderate congregations amid SBC membership declines, which continued for an 18th year in 2024 despite gains in baptisms. Cooperation persists in targeted areas; in January 2025, BGCT leaders and NAMB President Kevin Ezell formalized a church-planting agreement, restoring funding access for qualifying Texas Baptist plants and aiming to double starts from 2024 levels. Ezell hosted sessions in early 2025 to clarify implementation, underscoring pragmatic alignment on despite broader divides. Emerging alignments favor BGCT self-reliance, with expanded internal funding for missions and openness to interstate partnerships, potentially drawing from SBC-fractured networks without full rupture. Conservative Baptists, via the separate Southern Baptists of Texas Convention formed in 1998, maintain tighter SBC fidelity, illustrating BGCT's divergent moderate trajectory. No formal independence has occurred, as mutual missions benefits—evident in 's outsized SBC messenger presence of 2,171 at the June 2025 annual meeting—sustain ties.

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  89. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/details-of-church-funds-scandal-recounted-in-bgct-report/
  90. https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2006-12/texas-baptists-hit-financial-scandal
  91. https://baptiststandard.com/archives/2006-archives/evidence-found-of-misuse-of-valley-funds/
  92. https://thealabamabaptist.org/bgct-to-give-probe-results-to-law-enforcement/
  93. https://baptistnews.com/article/texas-baptists-approve-measures-to-restore-trust-after-valley-scandal/
  94. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2010/08/14/decline-in-giving-forces-layoffs-at-baptist-general-convention-of-texas/
  95. https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/11_12/2008_12_11_Brown_GuestOpinion.htm
  96. https://baptistnews.com/article/bgct-leaders-respond-to-evidence-of-mismanagement-of-funds/
  97. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/abuse-of-faith/
  98. https://www.texasbaptists.org/article/pro-life-legislation-supported-by-leading-pro-life-coalition
  99. https://baptistnews.com/article/texas-baptist-convention-aligns-groups-seeking-limit-abortion/
  100. https://lawrightsreligion.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/Reports/The_Southern_Hospitals_Report.pdf
  101. https://baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/gay-affirming-churches-trigger-bgct-response/
  102. https://www.texasbaptists.org/article/bgct-executive-board-deems-two-congregations-to-be-outside-of-harmonious-cooperation
  103. https://baptistnews.com/article/texas-baptists-affirm-women-while-making-gender-an-article-of-faith/
  104. https://pres-outlook.org/2023/07/texas-baptists-affirm-women-in-ministerial-roles-as-sbc-debate-moves-to-states/
  105. https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/bgct-messengers-adopt-amended-motion-to-affirm-women-in-ministry/article_b33a7c80-2640-11ee-a65b-ef021f856786.html
  106. https://baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/womens-conference-addresses-gender-confusion-idolatrous-culture/
  107. https://baptiststandard.com/news/baptists/baptists-historically-stand-for-religious-liberty/
  108. https://baptiststandard.com/news/texas/call-to-ban-foreign-entities-from-targeting-churches/
  109. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/politics/2023/10/06/baptist-pastors-school-choice-sunday
  110. https://baptiststandard.com/news/texas/board-takes-steps-to-create-church-insurance-program/?print=print
  111. https://issuu.com/texasbaptists/docs/2025-txb-budget-summary_web1
  112. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/bgct-board-approves-namb-agreement-insurance-program/
  113. https://www.texasbaptists.org/article/february-board-approves-church-starting-arrangement-insurance-program-launch-and-affirms-traditional-baptist-beliefs-in-affiliation-process
  114. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2000/10/texas-baptists-redirect-5-million-from-sbc/
  115. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2025/06/11/after-narrow-key-votes-southern-baptists-leave-dallas-with-bylaws-unchanged/
  116. https://www.bgav.org/blog/bgct-creates-g2-study-group-to-address-potential-fallout-from-sbc
  117. https://thebaptistpaper.org/bgct-exec-board-eyes-potential-fallout-from-sbc-plans-to-welcome-displaced-churches/
  118. https://research.lifeway.com/2025/04/30/southern-baptists-membership-decline-continues-amid-other-areas-of-growth/
  119. https://www.texasbaptists.org/article/bgct-and-namb-leaders-clarify-path-forward-with-church-starting-arrangement
  120. https://christianindex.org/stories/baptist-general-convention-of-texas-board-approves-namb-agreement-insurance-program%2C101527
  121. https://baptiststandard.com/news/texas/ezell-to-host-bgct-information-sessions-in-early-2025/
  122. https://baptiststandard.com/opinion/voices/correcting-misunderstanding-bgct-namb-agreement/
  123. https://sbtexas.com/sbc-organizations-related-ministries/
  124. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/texas-churches-register-2171-messengers-followed-by-tennessee-at-695/
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