File #2890: "MFM_VA_1968-09-17_Reflector_Vol80_Choir-Creates-Conflict_001.pdf"
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Choir
Baptist
BY MACY SHIPP
The Baptist Student Union
passed a resolution Monday urging the local Baptist Churches
to "discuss the problem of Interracial BSU activities." The action resulted from the refllsal
of the local cburclles to let the
newly-integrated BSU choir perform this summer.
After the choir was integrated,
Mr. Gully, BSU director, got in
touch with the local pastors:
Rev. D. c. Applegate, FlrstBaptist Church; Rev. Douglas Dexter, Meadowbrook Baptist
reates
onfHct
Church; Rev. Jimmy Vance, Calvary Baptist Church; Rev. Clayton Bath, Immanuel Baptist
Church; and discussed the situation. The pastors, in turn, presented "the problem" to their
boards of deacons, who decided
that the choir should not perform
in the Baptist Churches of Starkville.
Rev. Applegate explained that
"local Baptist churches are autonomous bodies, making their
own decisions according to their
own congregations. u
The advisory committee, composed of adult representatives
of all the churches in the Starkville area, had the responsibility
of making decisions regarding
the BSU. They met in an open
session and drew up a resolution
as a su"8Siion to the local churches. The resolution states:
Whereas the Baptist student
Union is the logical tie between the Baptist student on
the Mississippi State University campus and the Baptist
churches of Starkville; and
Whereas the Baptist Student
Union provides a fertile mission field for the local churches; and
Whereas the program of the
Baptist Student Center is open
to all students of Mississippi
State University regardless of
race, color, or creed; and
Whereas the Student Advisory
Committee feels that in order
to be most effective the program should remain QPen to
all:
It is requested that the local
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3)
BSU ...
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Baptist churches discuss the
problem of inter-racial BSU
activities with the thought of
finding an acceptable solution
to the problem that would magnify God.
In explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Reverend
Vance said, "We live in the South,
and in Mississippi; and we know
the reaction of the people. We do
not feel that it is time to present
this integration problem to the
people. It would only create dissension in the church, and I feel
it might only set a program like
this back. It would not further
the cause of the Lord."
Reverend Bath expressed the
view, '' This does r:iot mean that
in the future other action will be
taken."
Rev. Dexter, when questioned
about his church's action, stated,
"I don't know if I'm at liberty
to talk about it. When we want
them (BSU choir), we can invite
them."
Robert Tischer, president of
the BSU, when questioned about
the student's view of the situation,
stated, "BSU students were quite
concerned about the future of the
choir as well as the church's
stance. I think most of the students are of the attitude that the
churches should let the choir perform, and should allow integrated
activities in the churches. Another concern is for the Negro
student himself. His purpose for
joining the choir was purely to
sing with the group and he certainly didn't want to be the center of disruption of the choir's
plans. This issue was bound to
come out anyway and we feel
that we are taking action in breaking the deadly action of the church
concerning racial matters. By
means of the Advisory Committee's statement, we feel we
are at least taking a small step
in coming to grips with the racial
problems that exist."
Baptist
BY MACY SHIPP
The Baptist Student Union
passed a resolution Monday urging the local Baptist Churches
to "discuss the problem of Interracial BSU activities." The action resulted from the refllsal
of the local cburclles to let the
newly-integrated BSU choir perform this summer.
After the choir was integrated,
Mr. Gully, BSU director, got in
touch with the local pastors:
Rev. D. c. Applegate, FlrstBaptist Church; Rev. Douglas Dexter, Meadowbrook Baptist
reates
onfHct
Church; Rev. Jimmy Vance, Calvary Baptist Church; Rev. Clayton Bath, Immanuel Baptist
Church; and discussed the situation. The pastors, in turn, presented "the problem" to their
boards of deacons, who decided
that the choir should not perform
in the Baptist Churches of Starkville.
Rev. Applegate explained that
"local Baptist churches are autonomous bodies, making their
own decisions according to their
own congregations. u
The advisory committee, composed of adult representatives
of all the churches in the Starkville area, had the responsibility
of making decisions regarding
the BSU. They met in an open
session and drew up a resolution
as a su"8Siion to the local churches. The resolution states:
Whereas the Baptist student
Union is the logical tie between the Baptist student on
the Mississippi State University campus and the Baptist
churches of Starkville; and
Whereas the Baptist Student
Union provides a fertile mission field for the local churches; and
Whereas the program of the
Baptist Student Center is open
to all students of Mississippi
State University regardless of
race, color, or creed; and
Whereas the Student Advisory
Committee feels that in order
to be most effective the program should remain QPen to
all:
It is requested that the local
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3)
BSU ...
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Baptist churches discuss the
problem of inter-racial BSU
activities with the thought of
finding an acceptable solution
to the problem that would magnify God.
In explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Reverend
Vance said, "We live in the South,
and in Mississippi; and we know
the reaction of the people. We do
not feel that it is time to present
this integration problem to the
people. It would only create dissension in the church, and I feel
it might only set a program like
this back. It would not further
the cause of the Lord."
Reverend Bath expressed the
view, '' This does r:iot mean that
in the future other action will be
taken."
Rev. Dexter, when questioned
about his church's action, stated,
"I don't know if I'm at liberty
to talk about it. When we want
them (BSU choir), we can invite
them."
Robert Tischer, president of
the BSU, when questioned about
the student's view of the situation,
stated, "BSU students were quite
concerned about the future of the
choir as well as the church's
stance. I think most of the students are of the attitude that the
churches should let the choir perform, and should allow integrated
activities in the churches. Another concern is for the Negro
student himself. His purpose for
joining the choir was purely to
sing with the group and he certainly didn't want to be the center of disruption of the choir's
plans. This issue was bound to
come out anyway and we feel
that we are taking action in breaking the deadly action of the church
concerning racial matters. By
means of the Advisory Committee's statement, we feel we
are at least taking a small step
in coming to grips with the racial
problems that exist."