The 1998 budget was adopted after messengers defeated attempts to cut or put in escrow funding for the Biblical Recorder, the state Baptist newspaper.

Messengers defeated by a show of ballots an amendment to the budget proposed by Tony Hardin, pastor of Kellum Church in Jacksonville. Hardin's amendment would have put the Recorder's share of the budget - $375,000 - into escrow until the paper's directors respond to a report about declining subscriptions.

Lee Colbert, pastor of Smithfield First Church and chairman of the budget committee, spoke against the motion. He said the motion would effectively put the Recorder out of business.

Messengers also defeated a motion made by Tom McLean, pastor of Oak View Church in Rocky Mount. The motion would have cut a $25,000 increase to the Recorder. The Recorder receives $350,000 in the 1997 budget.