This is an interesting twist to the SBC powers that be to the practise of blogging, of calls for transparency, the right to dissent and toward a man who while conservative, has fought for less neoconservative strongholds in the SBC and for his denominations missions and missionaries.

He has been through hell the past few years, and has always responded with grace to his critics. It takes rare character and maturity to stand as he has. This is the reasons people leave their denominations or walk away from responsibilities.

The SBC Outpost has issued a statement of support for him. SBC members are being encouraged to write members of the IMB board.  Like many before him Burleson is being punished for disagreement.

The Censure:

MOTION FOR CENSURE OF TRUSTEE WADE BURLESON

“Whereas the International Mission Board exists for the purpose of leading Southern Baptists to be on misssion with God to bring all peoples of the world to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Whereas the trustees of the IMB are responsible for establishing overall policy and direction for the organization and conducting oversight of its operations in a manner that furthers the IMB’s purpose;

Whereas Wade Burleson of Oklahoma presently serves as a trustee of the IMB.

Whereas Wade Burleson, like every other trustee of the IMB, serves as a trustee subject to the obligation to abide by the Trustee Standards of Conduct and Trustee Responsibilities set forth in the Trustee and General Policy Manual;

Whereas the Trustee Standards of Conduct require trustees, among other things, to observe the following standards:

1. Individual IMB trustees must refrain from public criticism of Board approved actions. Experience has shown that it is not possible to draw fine lines in this area. Freedom of expression must give way to the imperative that the work of the Kingdom not be placed at risk by publicly airing differences within the Board.

2. Trustees must scrupulously avoid either the fact or the appearance of having disclosed information secured during closed or executive sessions of the full Board to any of its committees, or any other non-public information concerning Board operations (regardless of how and where secured) with persons who are not trustees or senior Board staff. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, quoting or sharing private conversations or statements by fellow trustees or senior Board staff with persons who are neither trustees nor senior Board staff.

Whereas, the General Trustee Responsibilities set forth the Trustee and General Policy Manual require trustees, among other things, to observe the following standards:

Trustees are TO INTERPRET international missions in their sphere of influence in the denomination — home, local church, association, state convention, and SBC, as an informed, enthusiastic advocate of global missions. In this respect, trustees are to speak in positive and supportive terms as they interpret and report on actions by the Board, regardless of whether they personally support the action.

The rest of the Trustee censure and Burleson’s response can be found here. What he thinks will not lift the censure,  but I encourage more than just SBC leaders to read what he has written.

(Burleson and fellow trustees received a 153 page email from a disgruntled trustee with an ax to grind) and  he is regularly viciously attacked for asking for openness and accountability.
He was at the forefront of supporting a female professor fired for teaching males. He has been at the forefront of helping her family and supporting her lawsuit. Many, many people before him have been pushed out in the SBC conservative take over who have had no voice or platform.

Somehow I think Burleson will take this censure and return stronger and even more focused. He needs prayer for strength, grace, healing and strength.

This decision by IMB trustees and the background needs to be read by as many SBC members as possible; moderate SBC members need to see the damage continuing to be perpetrated by leaders wanting to hold control and power far more than to do what is best for the contentious denomination. Members of the SBC deserve to read Burleson’s response.

Personally I’d not be one bit sorry to see the SBC leave Canada.
I don’t know how this country is better off with their presence. 
However, they are here, they are staying and  pushing hard to grow.
Because most people don’t pay attention or understand differences, or care, established Baptist organizations in Canada are tarred with the mistakes, politics, power grabbing, authoritarianism, politics, neoconservatism and negative publicity the SBC generates.
I won’t pretend to understand how Canadian Christianity is better currently or historically with the CCSB, whatever I think, believe or feel doesn’t matter. 
The CCSB practise closed communion. 
They say unlike their US counterparts they oppose war. The CCSB appear to be willing to work with others, but the website doesn’t give specifics.  The Canadian branch appears to keep it’s nose out of politics. They are complementarian and women are biblically deigned second class citizens. The CCSB promote by programs and see numbers as success in their vision statement, as do their southern counterparts.

I’m not Baptist, the more I see of the behavior and priorities of the SBC, on a personal level  it would take a literal burning bush ordering me inside one of their churches. 
I’d be strongly inclined to argue with the burning bush. The positive is the openness of communication that was not available 30 years ago.
This is a fractious and unhealthy denomination held in the grip of a conservative takeover by men who have  shown they are all to willing to shoot their wounded and cosy up to the Republicans in the US. 

Does the CCSB court separatist political parties in Canada? Adopting a new name that removes Southern Baptist, doesn’t make them not Southern Baptist.
The CCSB is a member in good standing with The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and has it’s own seminary.

Advocates of changing the name point to the confusion that having the word “Southern” in the title can cause—and has caused.

“To the uninitiated in Baptist and evangelical life, ‘Southern’ is a geographical term,” said Taillon. “To the initiated, it reflects a heritage, a way of doing missions, a denomination [the Southern Baptist Convention, (SBC)] that’s impacting the world and world missions.”

There are mature, well established, orthodox, healthy, open moderate Baptist branches in Canada where serious church seekers can find a solid, none abusive, transparent, well governed, none authoritarian church homes.

Associated Baptist Press
SBC Baptist Press
Dallas News Religion Blog
Eagles’ Rest