In the past, Bellevue had confidence in its leadership and many things like updated and adequate church by-laws were put aside (Church by- laws are like the US Constitution for a church and contains standard operating procedures set down by the membership). These become essential when a leadership change occurs and give guidance to the staff and lay leadership - it keeps them out of trouble hopefully and gives confidence to the membership that things are being done properly. This helps instill trust in the membership. They are a protection for all concerned. Most church by-laws lay down the necessity for quarterly meetings, called meetings, and what rules of order will be used (usually Roberts)and how they will be enforced. If you had this in place, this petition wouldn't be necessary right now. The SBC has a set of recommended by-laws for churches in most states and the state conventions will even help you get these set up.
And please, this time let it not be preceded with a "Celbration Ceremony." There are serious issues to be addressed within the halls of Bellevue and congregational attention should be pointed toward the "facts" and away from our shallow "feelings".
A legitimate business meeting should be held at a time when it is not combined with a worship service and there is adequate time allowed for discussion, such as a Saturday. There should be members only in attendance, with voting expressed by written ballot in order to eliminate intimidation (especially with very controversial topics).
The meeting was such a sham - Between the poor childcare provided and the Dodds voting with the membership (they're not members!) there's nothing else to say except God Help Us!
Not that this will make any difference at all to the leadership at Bellevue but I can stand before the Lord and say I stood up for what I thought was right before men just as I voted in the business meeting for what I thought was right before God and men.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.
I have no trust that SG and his administration will be honest with us, much less give us a true opportunity to successfully participate in a business meeting. But we have to try anyway.
We must be sure that all see this petition and thus be given the chance to make a choice. The majority of us have fallen for the "every 24 hrs that we can avoid discussion will put us one day closer to having the problem forgotten" mentality/strategy that was made popular by the top politician of 1992-2000. While much of the previous year has caused my heart to grieve,the move to adjourn broke it. I finally saw that Bellevue is indeed being contolled by a "well versed and rehearsed" group and needs to get back to being led by the Lord.
In my opinion, the motion by Jim Angel to adjourn was rude if nothing else. This dictatorship by the Bellevue staff has to cease. I understand that things have to be done "decently and in order" but all voices deserve to be heard, even if a vote goes against them.
