I have attempted to keep the focus of this blog on the International Mission Board and the exciting future direction of the Southern Baptist Convention. I have desired to be very positive about the work of the IMB in every area, including that of our trustees, and any impartial reading of my posts will give evidence of that positive outlook. Yes, I have disagreed with the two new policies at the IMB, but I have attempted to show that disagreement in a spirit of respect toward my fellow trustees. I have a deeply held belief that Baptists can disagree but continue to cooperate, and that has been at the forefront of my efforts to express my opinion but remain kind to everyone involved. This is the Southern Baptist way!
There are some very gifted men and women who have been chosen to represent the Southern Baptist Convention as International Mission Board trustees. Evidence of their wisdom can be seen in the Manual of Trustees, a self-imposed policy trustee manual, proposed and adopted by the trustees themselves. It was this book that was given to me last June, and the one I studied diligently before I ever attended my first meeting in July of 2005 as a new trustee. I believe that all trustees really do desire to perform a work that is honoring to Christ, regulated by policy that is based upon Scripture, and of course, one that is primarily concerned with the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ by appointing God-ordained, Spirit-filled believers called to the mission fields of the world.
Some of the good common sense of my fellow trustees is seen in several statements within the blue book that include:
(1). The International Mission Board's power can never exceed that of the convention itself. (page 1)
(2). Each trustee is to fill a servant role and represent the total constituency, not any particular segment within the geographical United States. (page 8)
(3). Ideally, the total constituency is to be informed on matters related to the work of the International Mission Board. (page 10)
(4). Trustees are expected to support the president in the effort to build a quality institution known for its excellence . . . (page 10)
(5). We will not enter lands with attitudes of haughtiness or superiority, but with humility and love. (page 22)
(6). The board never does its work in secrecy, but through openness. Baptists abhor hidden corners in its denominational operations. They expect a constant flow of communications and interpretations. The only times executive sessions of the board should be held are when human life is at stake, or tedious personnel problems must be handled. Instead of a secret approach, Baptists demand a program of information and want it to be kept up to date. (Page 22)
(7). (Trustees) must feel and act on their own best judgment. (page 26).
(8). Trustees are to decide and implement what is best for the institution and the churches served by it. (page 26).
(9). Careful and complete records are (to be) studiously kept of all actions and decisions of the board and its administration. (page 29).
(10). A trustee is to bring (his/her) voice to the meetings when serving, but is to also take (his/her) interpretations back to the people after adjournment. (page 33).
As you can tell, these are some excellent, wise policy statements, and there are many more!
How can so many wise people misunderstand my motives with this blog? I honestly think some of the trustees were initially just simply confused about the nature of a blog. Some made the mistake of attributing comments in a blog to the author of the blog. Rather than viewing blogs as a very positive way to get input from the grassroots level of the Southern Baptist Convention, some misunderstand a blog as a way to gossip. I think trustees are now beginning to see the value and benefit of blogging, and it does not include gossip.
However, to be fair, there does need to be some rules regarding blogging for trustees. I am asking you, my friends in the blogging world, to read the the excellent policy statements above regarding the protocol of trustees, and come up with similar statements regarding blogging. I will be in New York City tomorrow and Wednesday with my son and his sixth grade class, so I will be unable to post comments on a regular basis. However, please type your comment, and as soon as I have an opportunity, I will post it.
I would like to take your suggestions and formulate a "blue book for blogging." Maybe in the future this tool can be used in a powerful way to get all our Southern Baptists involved in the plannign and direction of the ministries of our convention.
Again, I express my faith in my fellow trustees at the International Mission Board and you, my blogging friends in the Southern Baptist Convention. Our best days are ahead.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
17 comments:
Wade:
Item 10) says it well:
A trustee is to bring (his/her) voice to the meetings when serving, but is to also take (his/her) interpretations back to the people after adjournment.
That's precisely what you've been doing. We're "the people".
I have personally served on Deacon bodies and I am aware that, many times, they do not want decisions made in private, made public. That's one thing where personal issues or morality are concerned, but quite another in matters of principle. Most of the times I've bumped into that thought, it's been based in a desire to avoid justifying a decision. And all of them should be justifiable to anyone and everyone.
I very much admire the way you've avoided making things personal, even when (I surmise) you may have felt they were just that on the other side.
I think any guidelines should simply follow the biblical admonitions regarding wholesome speech, gossip and the like. Haven't had time to look any of them up, but I shall try.
In the meantime, "stay the course" seems apropos.
A blog is meant to be more than just a single-issue news post. I learned about blogging from Andrew Jones, Tallskinnykiwi.com, who was/is really the pioneer in the evangelical/emerging church world. Through the IMB controversy (I found out about it from a link on Andrew's blog) I have been introduced to SBC bloggers that I didn't even know existed. I am looking forward to hearing from these folks on other issues after this controversy is dealt with. But, here are a few suggestions:
1. Realize that EVERYTHING comes out much harsher in print than in person. Whereas in person, you might be real straight forward, in print, nuance is often missed because there are no facial expressions or ability to respond. This is why emoticons are so helpful.
2. Misunderstanding is much easier in the blogosphere than in person. Take time to make sure that you really want what you are saying to be out there for the world to see. Would you really say that an hour from now? This is especially true in the comments of other blogs where you have no control.
3. Seek to represent Christian character in all you say or do. Too many "Christian" blogs are full of attack and ugliness. We should be loving, even when we disagree. We can have sharp minds and soft hearts at the same time.
4. Check your facts. Within seconds of posting information, it can/does go to the ends of the earth. If you are wrong, people may not read your retraction and it can spread like wildfire. "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark" James 3:5. This is especially true about blogs.
5. Admit when you are wrong. If you mess up, recognize it and ask forgiveness. It is better to represent humility than to win your point. Stop arguing so much, anyway (God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6). Jerry Corbaley really showed Christian character when he did this recently.
6. Have fun. Sometimes, as Christian bloggers, we get so serious because we deal with life and death issues. It is good to introduce some levity into your blogging, like some recent discussions about the best BBQ at Kevin Bussey's and Marty Duren's blogs.
7. Be a real person. No one wants to be around a know it all, or someone who isn't real. Show your heart and be genuine. Let people know about your other interests so that you will be more approachable - like your son's basketball victory, Wade!
8. Be a peacemaker through your writing - I think that Jesus said something about that in the Sermon on the Mount!
9. Defend the cause of those who cannot fight for themselves. Blogs are a great means of advocacy for causes and for people who have no voice. Make their case known so that others can pray and act on their behalf.
10. Lift up Jesus. When people are finished reading your post, will they be edified in their hearts and minds, or just more cynical and frustrated? Even when dealing with problems, we can do it in a way that builds up, draws issues to the light, and offers solutions, rather than just tearing down. The best way to do this is to point people to Christ in everything and show how God is working through every problem.
As I look at these suggestions, I see that I have not always been consistent in what I believe to be true. Sometimes I get off base and stray because of emotion or just the flesh. Thanks for calling us to this, Wade, because it causes us to be more consistent in our ethic when we put it in print.
What is real is not a blog. But I applaude the first step.
A bulletin board without need for censure is the next step.
Jon B.
Wade,
Is this a contest?
We realize that communication in our rapidly changing world is not governed by strict rules that may become irrelevant in a short period of time. However, the issue of electronic communication, with its diverse potential, must be addressed so that we have some sense of what is appropriate and acceptable in this area. In light of this, please consider these guidlines...
1. All things written should bear your name. Your willingness as a Trustee to speak to delicate issues is enhanced by your willingness to stand by your words. It helps us to choose our words carefully when we know that we will have to answer for poorly chosen ones.
2. Comments to "bulletin boards," weblogs, or personal web pages should be moderated. While this form of communication is public discussion and you must not foster a spirit of censorship, you also must not allow a place for personal attacks.
Personal attacks are differentiated from sincere disagreements by their tone and content. If the content is unreliable or not verifiable, it is suspect. If the tone is derrogatory or incindiary, it is suspect.
3. Not all comments should require that the "poster" reveal his or her identity. There will be some, for whatever reasons, who would not contribute valuable ideas if not for the opportunity to speak anonymously. However, there are others who use the veil of secrecy to vilify or degrade. This is obviously something that you must not allow.
When taking on the responibility of hosting such an electronic conversation, there will be a commitment of time and energy that goes beyond simply participating in conversations. We are grateful for any desire you may have to help Southern Baptists communicate with one another concerning issues important to us all.
As to your personal comments, the rules that govern all communication concerning the Southern Baptist Convention and the International Mission Board apply to this arena as well.
"We will not enter lands with attitudes of haughtiness or superiority, but with humility and love"
Absolutely beautiful. I can't thanks the IMB enough for that one.
Pulling together several comments ... has anyone paid attention as to what is going on with NAMB? An insider told me there are less than 50 missionaries in North America ... probably the fewest since the early decades of the convention. I do not mean to chase a rabbit; but there are more issues besides the IMB controversy.
With reference to the question about the NAMB read http://www.christianindex.org/1978.article . The Christian Index is the state paper of Georgia baptist.
Blue Book on Blogging:
Rule 1: Trustees are free to blog.
Rule 2: Trustees must not disclose material from closed meetings. Public meetings are fair game.
Rule 3: Trustees are free to differ with the minority or majority of any board and blog about their differences in a fair, charitable, and accurate manner. Lies, innuendo, and unfalsifiable assertions will not be tolerated.
Rule 4: Apropos 1,2,and 3, any trustee blog template must include, on the front page a visible disclaimer stating that the views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the opinions of the other trustees.
Rule 5: Accusations of inaccurate reporting of events, meetings, and other communication must be substantiated in writing and investigated by a neutral third party to be agreed upon by both the blogging trustee accused of impropriety and his accuser/s.
Rule 6: Apropos 5, any material found to posted in such a manner must be, upon the verdict of this 3rd party, be removed and a public, written apology made on the blog and to those involved.
Rule 7: Apropos 6, in keeping with the admonition to forgive those as Christ has forgiven us, charity must be exercised. However, repeat offenders are subject to sanctions to be determined privately by the board of trustees on which they serve. A single incident may be a legitimate error. A repeated, documented pattern may indicate a serious problem.
Rule 8: In the event sanctions are ruled necessary, a complete record, including the actual charges must be presented, in writing to the person accused of impropriety. In addition, in the event a trustee is sanctioned publicly, this same record must be made publicly for the readers of the said blog in the event those readers in turn address the issue themselves. In this manner, all interested parties will know the exact, documented reasons for the sanctions.
Rule 9: As blogs are public and written, if sanctions are deemed necessary and the documented errors are deemed to rise to a level that fulfills the legal definition of "libel," a board, if all attempts to act redemptively have failed, may charge the person accused of libel in accordance with the appropriate laws. Such a decision requires the approval of the Convention, as does the removal of any trustee.
Just to answer the comment on NAMB, according the report on NAMB's website there are 5,126 missionaries funded from different sources (such as state conventions, namb, & whatever).
To add to what Mixilmash said...I, too, deplore the fact that for no given reason can an Emiritus missionary's status be revoked. Also, the fact that any missionary may be terminated and no cause need be given...this is apalling. Obviously, due process has yet to come to the IMB
The NAMB question. If you want to know what the Christian Index (Baptist paper of Geogeria) has to say you need to read http://www.christianindex.org/1978.article
The article states:
In 9 years the number of funded missionaries is down 10%. Of 5364 missionaries 2942 are funded by the NANB--- 2422 or 45% are self funded volunteers.
Also, a decrease of $32,000,000.00 in reserve funds in 7 years. And a conflict of interest in outsourced work after a number of NAMB employees were terminated.
There are more problems noted in the article than I have listed here. The editor of the Georgia Baptist paper stands behind the article and said it was written at the request of Georgia pastors.
Rufus
Wade,
Your blog has done wonders to really begin to open up communication. I must admit--most of the time I have to work hard to TRY to shut down what is happening in the States. It can really become a frustrating and heart wrenching distraction. I am currently serving in Western Europe and thought you might like to see what is being talked about on this side of the world (http://missionsmisunderstood.blogspot.com) This one isn't mine---but the latest post is one with a ton of current relevance. Have a super week!
According to what I was told - you can take it or leave it, I understand how these things go - that NAMB is counting people as missionaries who traditionally would not have made the cut to be labeled "missionaries." These might be BSU personnel, state convention officials, etc. if the SBC is paying a part of their salary or benefits. There are less than 50 traditional - i.e. full time - missionaries operating in North America. I mention this only to alert you guys that care about another crisis. I think pulling back the curtain might reveal more than a single slight of hand. An example - not to pick on Paige Patterson - is how Dr. Patterson bragged about how much growth he generated at SEBTS. What is not said is that he started an entire new undergraduate school. These types of "new definitions" seem to be common. Just FYI for those of you concerned.
Wade,
Blogging is current technology. But who knows what is coming tomorrow?
IMB policies for trustees need to be written as principles, not technologically oriented procedures.
One of the principles in the current "trustee blue book" that may need creating or enhancing is in regard to feedback and input from the SBC constituency. The closest thing to this in the current policies may be the principle that trustees are to represent the entire constituency, not just their particular state or region. But reality has been that communication from the IMB and its trustees is primarily one way: outward.
Until recently, the possibility for feedback was limited to those in privileged positions or personal acquaintances of trustees. Blogging has opened a door for meaningful feedback and dialogue. That door should be made wider as other technological means emerge.
If it is true, what 10-40 Worker said that “for no given reason can an [Emeritus] missionary's status be revoked. Also, the fact that any missionary may be terminated and no cause need be given” I agree with the writer that this is appalling. Does revoking emeritus status mean the retired missionary would lose their pension?
I have been told that my state is an “at will” state which means a worker can be fired for any or no reason with no recourse I think that is bad enough in the secular world, but shouldn’t Christians hold to higher principles? Or is it just that if a current missionary or retired missionary does not change with every change put into place after they were approved and sent out they are so guilty of heresy that they do not deserve any consideration?
Susie
Since there have been references to IMB policies on terminations and revoking of emeritus status, here they are:
The Manual for Field Personnel policy MFP-801 2.e states "The board confers emeritus status on retirees who have at least 15 years of service. Only retirees receiving emeritus status are eligible to participate in emeritus recognition activities. The board retains the right to revoke the emeritus status of a retiree for any reason satisfactory to the board. The reasons for such revocation may be disseminated to third parties at the discretion of the administration of the board.
The policy on termination of active missionaries is MFP-226,
"The IMB is a Christian organization with spiritual purposes and a commitment to relate to field personnel in loving, fair and humane ways.
At the same time, the board is an employer with a responsibility to relate to secular laws. The board’s intention is to abide by the employment laws that are relevant to the rights of field personnel.
As is true with any employer-employee relationship, it is appropriate for the board to clarify its expectations of field personnel, to take administrative action to correct deficiencies and, if necessary, to separate itself from those who are unable or unwilling to perform their assignments in accordance with the character and purpose of the agency.
Certain conditions will be considered as career threatening in that they preclude continued employment relationship to the IMB. They may be summarized as follows, but they are not all inclusive, and the board always retains the right to terminate any field personnel (career, associate, apprentice, Journeyman, and International Service Corps) for any reason satisfactory to the board without disclosing to the person the reason for the termination.
1. Failure to exhibit Christian lifestyles in keeping with the calling and responsibility of field personnel.
2. Patterns of failure in relationships resulting in negative impact on the achievement of the purpose of the board.
3. Ongoing failure to perform adequately in assigned responsibilities.
4. The persistent insubordination in relation to supervisors and/or stated policies.
5. The persistent advocating of doctrinal opinions inconsistent with the Bpt Faith and Message (BF&M).
6. A persistent emphasis of any specific gift of the Spirit as normative for all or to the extent such emphasis becomes disruptive to the fellowship.
7. The continuing misuse of narcotics, tobacco, drugs, other addictive substances, and the use of alcohol as a beverage.
8. Dishonesty in the handling of money or other resources.
9. Immoral sexual activities, including but not limited to rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, pedophilia, sexual relations outside of marriage, use of pornography, etc.
10. Homosexual activities.
11. A divorce following appointment.
12. A resignation or termination for any reason by one spouse.
In the case of urgent situations that need immediate attention, regional leaders are authorized to bring field personnel to the U.S. for administrative consultation pending a recommendation to the trustees for termination."
Wade,
Do you feel like you have a tiger by the tail? That tiger being truth, knowledge, wisdom, and
expression. Your blog is making possible “expression.” Without expression the others
accomplish very little. Its been said, “Truth needs no defense. It only needs to be heard.” I see
your blog of “grace and truth” accomplishing more than you could have ever accomplished as
being just another IMB trustee. I say that because TRUTH is being heard. When we have
freedom of expression we have Baptist beliefs in action.
Truth will be voted on at the SBC instead of ‘you’re out of order, that’s not a legal motion,
that will be refereed to the Executive Board, etc.” When truth is squelched, churches loose hope
of accomplishing anything at the SBC. That’s why attendance is low. Why attend if you can’t be
heard?
Sorry, didn’t mean to start meddling because I wanted to bring out the importance of your
blog. But then again, I believe your blog will bring changes to the SBC. I see you resigning as a
trustee because you will be too busy spreading truth. Truth is lifting up Jesus. Jesus is not for
closed doors and secrecy. Because of that Jesus would say the BFM 2000 is illegal. That
churches were omitted in achieving this creed. Without churches knowing, their messengers
were unqualified to vote. Because the BFM 2000 was passed by unqualified voters, it is null and
void. How’s that for logical thinking? The 2000 takes away INDIVIDUAL priesthood and the
autonomy of the church. In short, it is a ‘ball and chain’ to missions.
I don’t know how “hits’ work but as your blog approaches 100,000, is it possible to identify
the person who reaches that mark? I hope someday it will reach a million.
Rex Ray
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