Tom Hatley, chairman of the trustees of the IMB, has written letters to pastors and all Southern Baptists as well as posting the written rationales for the recent change in IMB baptism guidelines and policies on “private prayer language.” In addtion, the working definition of a church has been posted. It actually is quite good, though a simple statement on discipline would have been appropriate. That can be covered, of course, in other language that is included about being “governed by His [Christ’s] laws.”

This material should make for a healthy conversation.