Why I Can't Comment as a Trustee --- Yet

Tonight I will post the message from last evening's revival service, but due to a few emails I have received today, and due to the fact that there seems to be a growing amount of publicity on the possible termination of M's that I know personally, I felt it appropriate to explain my silence on this issue at this time. I will not give any information on this blog that will identify these missionaries or their location of service.

Let me begin with a question posed to me in the comment section of my blog by a former missionary:


Wade,

Can you comment on the fact that missionaries are under fire related to the policies of constriction under discussion? This couple may not be fired due to tongues or baptism practices, but there appears to be an ongoing witch hunt among missionaries in the field.

We have lost the point of missions when we spend so much energy and resources trying to root out "the liberals" instead of focusing on sharing the gospel with the entire world.

It would seem that our policies are completely out of step with Jesus' Great Commission, caring more for doctrinal and political agendas than taking the message of grace to the world.

Perhaps it is time we evaluate once again the purpose of the IMB. It is not to impose a tight doctrinal vise on the world. It is to fulfill Christ's demand that we take the gospel to all the nations. Falling short of that task is no light matter. So what if we miss the mark on a few specific doctrines "that we [only]understand in part"? We are still under obligation with Paul to share the good news of Christ with every people.

Setting politics aside is not an option if we are to be faithful to Christ? As we continue down this alternate path, we act in opposition to the will of Christ.


Wade's Response to Former M

Former M,

I can't comment pubicly --- yet.

I have spent hours on the phone regarding this issue.

I have met with the M's personally at their pastor's request.

I have given consideration to the administration, believing personnel issues are matters for administration, not trustees.

However, if I find trustees were involved in this decision, or if I discover that there is a philosphical or theological conflict between the M's and their RL over Board approved policy, or if I find that the M's were operating under what they believed to be Board approved policy only to discover that the interpretation of that policy is different than what they were led to believe when appointed, then I will speak publicly. But we are not at that point yet. Everyone is still in the discovery phase.

I am waiting until the appropriate procedures are followed before I comment on the request for termination.

Procedures for termination are as follows:

(1). The Regional Leader makes the decision to terminate.

(2). An official appeal can by made by the M's to the Vice-President for Overseas Operations. That appeal is being made today. If the RL's decision to terminate is overturned, then the trustees are never involved.

However, if the RL's determination to terminate is upheld by the Vice-President, then an appeal by the M's can be made to Dr. Rankin.

Only after the appeals process is exhausted through administration will the Board of Trustees be involved.

I have spoken to several people involved in the internal process on many occasions including the RL, the Vice-President, and Dr. Rankin.

What I have very little patience for is any stated, or implied, attack on this missionary couples character. I'm not saying that has happened, I'm just cautioning anyone involved not to even go there.

Frankly, we may discover there is simply confusion, or ignorance, over Board policy (on one or the other side) and a firmly held belief by the M's that they ARE following policy, and an equally firm belief by the RL that M's are NOT following policy.

Guess who sets policy at the IMB?

The trustees.

So you can expect, at some point, that you will hear from me.

I'm waiting for the appropriate time.

Hope this helps.

Wade



I trust everyone understands why this issue needs to be dealt with internally by administration at this time. At some point it may, or may not, become an issue for the trustees. I can promise you one thing: I will stand up for what I believe is right --- regardless.

Tonight I will post about "The Amazing Race," an Old Testament race to the City of Refuge.

In His Grace,


Wade