Accusations, Accusations at the IMB

T Thomas, Coordinator for the CBF Oklahoma, sent me this response to news reports about investigations into allegations of impropriety at the SBC's International Mission Board. Here's T's advice:

As a Southern Baptist foreign missionary for nearly 18 years and then Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's (CBF) first missionary for an additional 8 years, my perspective on the latest "rhubarb" at the International Mission Board (IMB) may be a bit unique.

A fellow Oklahoman, Wade Burleson, continues to make headlines as his accusations are dealt with at the IMB. While you might think that someone who now works “for those other Baptists” would rejoice in all of these squabbles, I am in fact deeply saddened.

All of my missionary friends (IMB and CBF) are dedicated and self-sacrificing missionaries who need our on-going support and prayer. By continuing to use the IMB as a punching bag or perhaps even a political football ("Who wants to be the next IMB president today?"), we are only weakening the Baptist and Christian witness abroad.

Frankly the Good News of Jesus-Christ is a bit difficult to hear over all of the accusations and counter-accusations coming from the IMB's home office. Perhaps the current leaders of Southern Baptist missions could cease firing at each other and get fired up again about the Gospel and task of Global Evangelism?

This would certainly be a change and it might even bring a smile to God's face! (Psalm 133)