Wade Burleson reports on his blog that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) International Missions Board (IMB) has, in a move to cut costs in tight economic times, notified certain missionaries that the IMB will no longer be reimbursing them for:- drying of their clothes
- use of cell phones
- use of air conditioners
Yes, as a cost-cutting measure the very meagerly-paid missionaries, the ones out of all in modern Christianity who do take seriously the New Testament in giving sacrificially of everything they have to spread the gospel, are called on to make even greater sacrifices. Not only are they paid very little for what they do, but now if they are going to communicate via a cell phone or have the "luxuries" of drying their clothes or having an air conditioner they will have to pay it themselves out of what little they earn.
Does this news make you want to give MORE to Lottie Moon this Christmas, or LESS? Maybe churches that have members serving as IMB missionaries should find out from their missionaries what the annual cost of their cell phone, a/c usage, and clothes dryer usage is and SEND THAT AMOUNT DIRECTLY TO THEIR MISSIONARIES. Unless the IMB fat cats in Richmond are willing to make real, significant sacrifices in their own salaries and benefits and programs and trustee meetings FIRST, then churches should perhaps take matters into their own hands.
What are the Priorities of the SBC?
When I see FBC Dallas making plans to gather up over 100 million dollars to demolish buildings and reconstruct a "Crystal Cathedral" type worship center when they still owe millions on the building Mac built - when I see FBC Jacksonville advertising on their website to entice the rich folk to spend thousands on a "Cruise Down the Danube" with the Brunsons on a luxury riverboat...you have to wonder: just what are the priorities of the leadership in the SBC? While Mac sails down the Danube with his rich friends from FBC Jax, missionaries will be hanging their clothes out to dry and sleeping in sweltering heat. I don't begrudge FBC Dallas for deciding to modernize or renovate...but 130 million dollars? I don't think people of means should NOT go on cruises, but for a church TO ADVERTISE on their church website to entice people to cruise with their celebrity pastor? It all is over the top, and Christians are wising up, and the heavies are getting nervous.
The solution? Wade offers some very good suggestions in his article. But here's one: perhaps pastors need to get on board and begin to once again teach their people the storehouse tithing doctrine and preach it HARD! If people are robbing God, then tell them, and blame the missionary cutbacks on these robbers of God in the pews.
And don't stop at the arbitrary 10% tithe. Let's put a demand on the WHOLE tithe, the full 30% that is outlined in the Old Testament! If all of the SBC "giving units" would obey God and fork over 10 to 30 percent of their income to their churches, why imagine the missionaries that would be sent....
....or would churches use that increase in revenue to build larger buildings, hire more staff, buy more TV and radio advertising spots, hire more personal coaches and marketing consultants and give jobs to their friends and family members?
32 comments:
I am a long-time and very active member of FBC Dallas. I am also a faithful tither. I agree with your assessment of spending a ridiculous amount of money to demolish existing buildings to build new fancier buildings. Many of the buildings do need RENOVATING...not removal. Robert Jeffress is building his legacy and he wants it to be greater than Dr. Criswell's.
No matter what you hear about unanimous support, I can tell you there are many people opposed to this. We were not given a vote. It was a done deal behind closed doors and then we were PRESENTED with what is going to be done...from design to cost.
Members are afraid of Robert Jeffress. He is surrounded by "yes" men, including the deacons. He does not lead in love, but rules with fear and guilt. If Dr. Jeffress says it, since he is the pastor, then that makes it God's will. In a recent Sunday morning service we were told that the way we could know God's will in the church was if God spoke to the pastor and the deacons then we should accept any decision as from God. If we dare question a decision then we are considered divisive and rebellious. This is how he controls his congregation. I only pray that Robert has not allowed his "humanness" to misread God's direction.
We were also told that if we didn't like the pastor or how things were done at the church perhaps we should consider finding a church we did like. Dr. Jeffress is a great minister of God's word and I want to believe he has the church's best interests at heart. But in my many years at FBD we have seen pastors, ministers of music and other staff members come and go. The faithful, Christian, Godly members are what makes First Baptist Church Dallas the great church it is...not the pastor. Without the congregation there would be no church.
I for one will not be giving one cent to the building fund. Dr. Jeffress says we must have new buildings so we can compete with the other, newer churches. Did Jesus need a building to reach people for the Kingdom? It appears He was quite successful without all the glam and glitter.
I am embarrassed at the glitzy facade which was purposely designed to fit in with the Arts District in downtown Dallas. I thought we were supposed to be in the world, not "of" the world...but set apart. The other buildings in the Arts District are for "worldly" functions. FBD is, or should be, different from things of the world.
Please pray for us during these difficult times. My prayer is that no actual demolition or construction would begin until the entire amount has been raised and in the bank. Pledges do not pay the bills...ergo the new Criswell Center.
Yo Dog,
I like this post. You should see what John Sulivan makes a year!
Dog, your post would be so much better if you could learn to be succinct. A good blog post is 22 words or less. Try it out. Pleaes I want to read, but you write way too long. ( just a helpful tip)
ANON 1:10
From another FBC/DAL member:amen, amen, and AMEN.
A good blog post is 22 words or less. Try it out. Pleaes I want to read, but you write way too long. ( just a helpful tip)
December 3, 2009 2:15 PM
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This is a good one - 22 words would put WD in the neighborhood of his subjects to be what - one paragraph with 2 sentences. :>)
I'm a big fan of this blog - perhaps the above author should take a lesson in speed reading. :>)
As far as John Sullivan's salary, who cares - most of know he's sure not one of the poor Missionaries on the field.
Appreciated 1:10 Anon's comments. Perhaps the real popularity of this blog is that we have a place to come and express our feelings.
Deacons are all "yes men." If they speak up on behalf of the congregation they loose their status in the church or forced out of their position by their peers.
I'm sure some of the postings I read on this blog are from those who at one time served as "wise deacons" who did stand for the people.
The Deacons at the FBCJ are all "yes men" and
Anon - sorry you have a problem digesting a concise 5 paragraph article.
Here's a website that might help.
Love ya bro!
And if you don't like the length of the articles, "don't argue with the blogger brother, take it up wit da book!"
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Dog - here is another suggestion: Have anyone who serves as an IMB Trustee (for example, Deborah Devore Brunson) do so at their own expense. Or even at their own churches' expense. She is very wealthy, so she can pay her own air travel to trustee meetings and to visit missionaries on the field. (Some may even be in proximity to the Danube River ports of call next year!) If a church wants to pay for their pastor's wife to serve in this capacity, let them approve it by standing. ("all in favor of our sweet pastor's wife who is also paid handsomely to serve on our staff be allowed to also serve as a trustee, stand and say "aye" - motion carries.)
Surely, millionaires like Deb Brunson who clearly must have a heart for missionaries and want to serve as trustees, can pay their own way? Or maybe not. Maybe if they want such a lady of status (she is Mac's wife after all), then they will pay her air fare, car rental, luxury hotel, meals and other expenses when she travels to exotic lands to "encourage" our missionaries.
This stuff would be funny if not so sickening.
Why would the IMB be paying for this stuff in the first place? Ordinarily employers do not pay for air conditioning and laundry expenses as job perks for their employees. Employees are paid a salary and then decide how they will spend it. If they want to use some of their salary on air conditioning, then that's their choice. If they would rather not have air conditioning and free up more money for other uses, then that's their choice too.
The IMB should take whatever money they have been spending on paying for things like air conditioning, dryers, and phones, and use that money to increase missionaries' salaries instead. Then let the missionaries make their own choices about how they want to spend their salaries.
I am also a faithful tither. I agree with your assessment of spending a ridiculous amount of money...
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Maybe if that first sentence were not true, the second one wouldn't be either? As long as people see themselves as "faithful tithers" when the OT or NT does not teach that, those that collect those funds will continue to squander them. Stop giving to the mega church budget and give to agencies and people that actually help those in need and then sit back and watch how the mega pastors will react.
Even if you believe you should tithe, what makes you believe you have to give it to Mac or Jeffress so they can do with it as they will without regard for the orphan, naked, hungry, etc.?
Long time active member of FBCD, where were you when Good Shepherd was going strong and we were told we were not allowed in the "big church"? Where was Jesus in this?
FBCD is and has been as long as I have been associated it (since 1979) an attraction for the wealthy and affluent.
If Jeffress rules with fear and guilt it is because that is the norm set by your (previously our) last long tenure pastor. It is what the pastors you call expect to do - RULE.
There is one way to stop this disease and that is quit calling the "who's who" when you are searching. My guess is that Jeffress will be there a long time. He knows it, unlike Brunson. Brunson knew other doors would open and he waited for them.
FBCD is built upon a heavy handed pastor (good or bad not the issue) where people flocked to be known as members of the great hope of Dallas - FBCD.
Markozie (sp?) had it right, the church should have relocated in the 80's. Then FBCD would have become what Prestonwood has become.
I like Prestonwood.
This is disgusting. And is Debbie Brunson, an IMB board member ready to cut HER personal budget at home? Humph, like SHE'D really go without a/c, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
SHAMEFUL!
To the FBC Dallas members that posted:
I am a former member and I am just so very thankful to be done with that place. Nothing they do shocks me anymore. I am surprised though, to hear that there are people who aren't on board with the new sanctuary. Pride,arrogance and consumerism ran so sickening deep when I was there. How's paying for the mall, errr Criswell bldg going?
"I am a long-time and very active member of FBC Dallas."
YOu need to read Joel Gregory's book "Too Great a Temptation"
Some things at FBCDallas never change...
Anon 1:10...AMEN! I didn't stand in support and will not give a dime to the new building fund.
I have to disagree with the poster from Prestonwood. FBCD used to have a heart for people . I joined because of the love and warmth shown to me when I visited. It is now gone. Only the beautifuly wealthy people are loved at that church. It is the new downtown Prestonwood. The youth division is a ghost town. Like Prestonwood, the goal is to "minister" to only the youth that attend the church school. Again you spend the money, we will then and only then love and accept you.
Listen to any of Robert's sermons. His eyes adore wealth and glitz. Only when we have new new new will he feel that we are doing God's ( Jeffress's) will. Nowhere will you hear a love of people just things.
I personally do not think that we can pay our missionaries enough for what they do. I think that if you are not called to go then you are called to give.
The truth is that if the Lottie Moon offering goes as projected, then, there are a lot of missionaries that are going to get decommissioned or have to seek funding elsewhere. I do not know about the rest of you but I have family members that are unemployed and we are sucking that up as best we can. I cannot afford to run my heating and air conditioning like I used to, travel, and I have cut my cell plan to the minimum. I love my missionaries and I love Jesus. My mission offering is going to be a lot less this year, however.
I would not be so critical of the leadership. I can only imagine the difficult decisions that they are faced with. My estimation is that cell phones and laundry are only the beginning.
And why do people go to Church? Why were Church's established.
Please, someone tell me or better yet show me where it says do it the way these deceivers within the Baptist Mafia are now pushing.
Imagine this....take the 130 million FBC Dallas is spending and setup "130 satellite churches" to spread the gospel...
Now is that a foolish idea? Maybe in these millionaire Baptist Mafia ministers eyes, but not to the average lay person who actually loves the LORD.
It really makes me want to upchuck....
I am so OVER the churches of today with the celebrity preachers and the "follow the leader" members. As Dr. Lindsay used to say "only what's done for Christ will last". Attending these "churches" (?) is such as waste of time, energy,and money!!! The church has "fallen away"!!!! In the words of Jesus: Rev.chp.3: vs.14-22: vs. 14:" And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door,I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
The IMB should take whatever money they have been spending on paying for things like air conditioning, dryers, and phones, and use that money to increase missionaries' salaries instead. Then let the missionaries make their own choices about how they want to spend their salaries.
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This is what is being done as far as I know. Phones were provided, one or two per family as needed for emergency use. Communication is key at time and these are vital necessities when serving abroad. Electric bills are not paid by the IMB, nor are home phone service, washers and dryers or other "luxuries." Housing is provided, and some may contain such items.
By the way, only the male career missionary gets a salary. The wife serves just as well and for just as long, but the family has only one salary. So unlike IMB trustee Deborah Devore Brunson, if she wanted to serve the Lord with her husband on the mission field, she could NOT get paid a separate salary. They would both go for one salary. Maybe she will use her influence as a trustee to support paying the wives a salary. After all, they are "called" and "serve" and are appointed and commissioned as full-time career missionaries just like their husbands are.
Are the cell phones that the preachers and wives use paid for by the churches the "serve"? Just a question.
1. FBC-WF was not famous locally for either its love of the entire community or its cooperation with sister churches when Dr. Jeffress was senior pastor there; its leaders did, though, know how to make a project come together and how to market it to the city (Dr. Jeffress was not known for being warm and caring--and members noticed associate staff came along behind/ahead of him to be people-persons in the room; there are rumors of shouting during staff meeting times);
2. Dr. Jeffress probably struggles as much with the basics of senior pastor service as any other pastors do--however, he's gotten lots of help with the pastoral care and leadership roles from associate ministers during the past 15 years; he took some staff members with him from WF to FBC-D to continue that strategy, while he focuses on preaching--it's Dr. Jeffress' style, to focus a LOT on the preaching (cf. FBC's website: when he first arrived, sermons got major promotion on the website's home page and newsletter; now, there's more promoted along with the sermons--right-hand man and unafraid staff may have had input);
3. Read McBeth's history of FBC-D: Dr. Truett apparently was really loved and well-respect, but at the time of his death the congregation's ministries needed serious attention for the sake of the future of the downtown church; when Dr. Criswell arrived, he brought (listened to?) a strategy to make the church one much more relevant to the city--especially to young families. The strategy probably should have included a relocation at some point during his tenure; now, all parts of the city/area where most FBC-D members live (north) already have a megachurch--there's nowhere for FBC to be except for downtown (or south--not likely), where it's grown increasingly expensive to stay due to the age of the complex and the lack of downtown dwellers who will attend (Fellowship Church in Las Colinas--larger than FBC-D by A LOT in terms of attendees--led by Ed Young, Jr., also has a downtown Dallas satellite campus and is seeking to reach those same folks). Too late; that + high costs for commercial construction + aging buildings = $130 milllion dollars;
4. IMB thing: it's been great to say "We support IMB missionaries via CP and LMCO"--but if LMCO dollars aren't reaching the front-line missionaries they intended to support because administrators are making unwanted decisions, the average local church can affect that; it might take a couple of years, but giving/not-giving speaks to administrators. In the meantime, missionary families may be suffering--and it doesn't sound fair at this point.
1. FBC-WF was not famous locally for either its love of the entire community or its cooperation with sister churches when Dr. Jeffress was senior pastor there; its leaders did, though, know how to make a project come together and how to market it to the city (Dr. Jeffress was not known for being warm and caring--and members noticed associate staff came along behind/ahead of him to be people-persons in the room; there are rumors of shouting during staff meeting times);
2. Dr. Jeffress probably struggles as much with the basics of senior pastor service as any other pastors do--however, he's gotten lots of help with the pastoral care and leadership roles from associate ministers during the past 15 years; he took some staff members with him from WF to FBC-D to continue that strategy, while he focuses on preaching--it's Dr. Jeffress' style, to focus a LOT on the preaching (cf. FBC's website: when he first arrived, sermons got major promotion on the website's home page and newsletter; now, there's more promoted along with the sermons--right-hand man and unafraid staff may have had input);
3. Read McBeth's history of FBC-D: Dr. Truett apparently was really loved and well-respect, but at the time of his death the congregation's ministries needed serious attention for the sake of the future of the downtown church; when Dr. Criswell arrived, he brought (listened to?) a strategy to make the church one much more relevant to the city--especially to young families. The strategy probably should have included a relocation at some point during his tenure; now, all parts of the city/area where most FBC-D members live (north) already have a megachurch--there's nowhere for FBC to be except for downtown (or south--not likely), where it's grown increasingly expensive to stay due to the age of the complex and the lack of downtown dwellers who will attend (Fellowship Church in Las Colinas--larger than FBC-D by A LOT in terms of attendees--led by Ed Young, Jr., also has a downtown Dallas satellite campus and is seeking to reach those same folks). Too late; that + high costs for commercial construction + aging buildings = $130 milllion dollars;
4. IMB thing: it's been great to say "We support IMB missionaries via CP and LMCO"--but if LMCO dollars aren't reaching the front-line missionaries they intended to support because administrators are making unwanted decisions, the average local church can affect that; it might take a couple of years, but giving/not-giving speaks to administrators. In the meantime, missionary families may be suffering--and it doesn't sound fair at this point.
More troubling news about IMB funding and missionaries, reported at Wade Burleson's blog last night:
Is the IMB a Potemkin Village....
And please pray for Matt Chandler, pastor at the Village Church. His brain surgery to have much of his right frontal lobe removed is around noon today. Read his moving thoughts just prior to surgery:
My Heart is Full...I am Thankful...
know this doesn't fit the article, but I found this site after looking for facts about FBC downtown Jacksonviile, FL. I like your site, keep it up!
How to fix Jacksonville's downtown? Break up the cult that is First Baptist Downtown church!
This is the 21st century and it is embarrassing that we still let a cult strong-arm city development. They stop all development and progress because they want to be the center of downtown. They want to own downtown (as if 12 city blocks wasn't enough). You wonder why we don't have any nice stores or restaurants downtown? The cult, I mean churh, blocks all liquor licenses from being issued. They like to keep the city backwards and uneducated, as progress, optimism, and self-esteem might cause them to lose some of their 25,000 members. Don't believe me? Do some research.
Time to break up the cult. Time to give Jax a real downtown.
Don't let FBC Jax win, support Jacksonville's downtown!
While not a fan or supporter of FBCJax as it is currently, I do not think issueing liquor licenses for more bars and all the problems these establishments bring, is good for any community. The "real downtown Jax" (your words) that you may be looking for is not what Jacksonville needs. More alcohol related crimes and sordid lifestyles that go with it is not what I call PROGRESS in the community.
Anon 1:05
Don't know where you came from, but in defense of The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, please read the history of how the church came to own this property.
Doing proper research you would learn that reason the church owns the property is that they do ONLY because the church STAYED when all the other business abandoned the city and bought up the blocks for dirt cheap monies. The business's chose to run from the city - the chose to stay.
Downtown is filled with night clubs and a liquid license is easy to get for anyone wanting to open a bar.
Downtown is filled with drunks and homeless - no parking, high rent. You need to do some more research on why downtown is a mess as it certainly is not because of this church. I recommend you contact the owner of The Landing, The Mayor and Downtown Vision and give them your suggestions for improvement.
The church and it's administration has some serious problems that we discuss on this blog but it is far from being a cult!
By far, First Baptist has brought millions of dollars into this city, year after year with thousands of visitors that have supported the few restaurants and hotels that is downtown.
My friend, you have no paddle on this one!
Anon 1:05. FBCJ paid for all the property that they occupy. Its not 12 blocks but closer to 9. If the church wasn't there it would have been more blight and unkept like some of the adjacent properties. Also, you completely overlook that after 172 years of being there that thousands of souls will go to heaven rather than hell because of its ministry over these many many years. Get real.
From FBCD Member,
To clarify, we held a vote the morning the building plan was presented and it was approved with no decenting votes.
Robert has never once said leave if you don't like it.
The concept of renovation has been looked at multiple times in the last 30 years. The cost to make it a campus instead of a hodge-podge of old recycled buildings was very close to doing it right.
I have witnessed Robert deal with rich and poor with a sincere concern for their needs
Been there many times when the people and certain deacons were anything but yes men. However I will admit that unless you have had the opportunity to witness this he can seem stand offish.
The church is not and never will be perfect, run by people and we simply are not perfect. Anytime you take on a massive project like this one people will have sincere concerns. But knowing Robert the way I do, it is not about a legacy. It's trully about reaching as many people as possible. Call it what you want to but people will not drive all the way downtown to come to worship in old dreary buildings. We must grow to survive due to the needs of the aging campus.
I am a tither, I believe it is taught in both OT and NT (Matt 23:23 for example). I can see where people interpet it differently and as long as grace givers trully pray through their decisions I will not he critical. I just wonder why those that believe differently have to be so critical, claiming hearasy (sp?) I believe is a line that has been crossed.
I just wonder why those that believe differently have to be so critical, claiming hearasy (sp?) I believe is a line that has been crossed.
December 4, 2009 9:12 PM
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Because its NOT taught in the NT or OT. AND because your pastor knows it. AND because he demands it anyway. AND he can't show you from scripture why, but yells "its in da book." AND no matter how much he has to spend, it is never enough. AND he uses the funds to hire friends and family. AND he calls anyone who differs from him "doing the work of satan." That enough for now?
1:38, wrong preacher. 9:12 is FBC-D, not FBC-J. Jeffress speaks better than Brunson; none of "dat" stuff. Jeffress is a good preacher; it's the thing he does best (second-best: leadership; third-best: people skills).
"Because its NOT taught in the NT or OT. AND because your pastor knows it"
This is really the issue. They are educated men from seminary and they teach something they know is not true in order to get folks to give consistently. They teach it because it is in their own self interest.
What they do not want to happen is for you to discover it really is NOT taught in the New Covenant. They do not want you to be a serious Berean because they will have lost influence over you not only on tithing but on other issues, too. They want you to stay on milk.
We no longer have a storehouse to put the tithes of crops in. We have no priest to give it to. We have no temple to upkeep because WE are now the Temple God dwells in.
They are afraid if they teach the radical giving of the NT, no one will give because the Holy Spirit will be guiding them and the Holy Spirit is not interested in big fancy buildings or the pastors celebrity status. The Holy Spirit might have you give to a believing single mom in trouble or a family whose Dad is umemployed. And they cannot have that. THEY want your money. AFter all, they are smarter than you are and the Holy Spirit only guides THEM when it comes to your money.
Publius
MB cut the benefits of missionaries on the field, for instance, retirement benefit was cut that, a10% decrease on salary because now missionaries on the field have to compensate that amount from their own pocket. Also, while overseas the co-pay for health insurance is now $500 while abroad and $1000 while on the US, that represents another 10-15% cut depending on years of service. What is the problem with these new polices:
1. They are unfair: Most IMB missionaries are not overseas because of the money, but when they see their monthly budged cut 10%-20% that will affect the moral of the missionaries and the work they do.
2. The average missionary stays on the field for about 7 years, with this new policies the average missionary will serve for a shorter time, 3-4 years, that will result in more expenses for IMB in the long run.
3. IMB missionaries are paid based on time of service: because of these new policies, $500 or $1000 do not have the same value for first or second term missionaries. Most first and second term missionaries have small children or children in college. Veteran missionaries, like IMB's president, who has serve for more than 40 years and is about to retire, are empty nesters and $500 have a different value. It is if at least awkward that these new policies come in place the year that he is retiring.
4. There are many more places that IMB can cut and save money, starting in Richmond VA. Cutting benefits iIS NOT SAVIGN MONEY! it is ONLY increasing expenses on missionaries' family budged.
If you care about IMB missionaries please contact trustees that you know or that represent your state convention and ask them to review these policies in their next meeting. These policies are not reflective of the character and maturity of Southern Baptist.
I have been a member of FBC since 1977. I loved Dr. W.A. Criswell's preaching -- one of the last "Old Time Religion" preachers.
I still have a tape of Criswell's in which he stated, "As long as I'm the pastor of this church, I will never approve of any changes to this grand old church, inside or out."
I will never dart in the door of Dr. Jeffress "New Age Monstrosity." That's about it!!!
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