The Tipping Point Is Reached

Due to the fact Chairman Hatley refused to talk with me after the meeting to give me the substantiation for the charges of "multiple breaches of confidentiality," and due to the fact that the actions of the Chairman clearly violated Matthew 18 and the new rules on trustee accountability by not coming to me privately prior to making the unsubstantiated allegations public, and due to the fact that the former Chairman has decided usurp the authority of the Southern Baptist Convention by removing me from Executive Sessions and Forums, I have chosen to do three things:

(1). I will attend Executive Sessions and Forums regardless of the Chairman's request trusting in my legal counsel that no trustee can be barred from the business of the full board without approval of the Southern Baptist Convention.

(2). I am prayerfully considering posting next week a blog entitled "Who's Wounded?" in response to former Chairman Hatley's statement urging Wade Burleson “to change his position to follow a biblical model of restoration of wounded brothers and sisters in Christ."

This post is currently in the hands of several of my counselors and advisors as we pray about its release. It will detail names, dates and actions of the events of the last two years by certain trustees as they have acted in an improper manner, in violation of Board policy and Scriptural commands, and wounded many people by their actions. I was in the process of privately confronting these trustees, including Chairman Hatley, and seeking to hold these trustees accountable to the Board approved policies of conduct and decorum in order to prevent further wounding of individuals when my removal was sought. In other words, I was seeking to follow the Biblical model of restoration of wounded brothers by confronting those doing the wounding. Though it is not time for me to release the body of the post, the following is the last two paragraphs:

In conclusion, I both agree and disagree with Tom Hatley. I agree that as a trustee I must "follow a biblical model of restoration of wounded brothers and sisters in Christ.” I am doing that. I am confronting, and will continue to confront, those who are doing the wounding.

I disagree with Tom Hatley in that if he thinks the trustees hurt by, or offended with, trustee Wade Burleson are the "wounded," then he is either part of the problem or a hindrance to a solution. Either way, we are in a much better position to now deal with the real issues than we were a year ago.

(3). I will continue to blog about direction of our International Mission Board and Southern Baptist Convention. I am not an official spokesman for anyone. I am not a reporter. I am simply giving my perceptions to the people who elected me. If people don't like what I am saying, then ignore me, or say something different. There is room for us all in the SBC.

In conclusion, I thought I might share a couple of emails

Gene Bridges sent me an email last night that made me laugh. He said,

"(Hatley) advised Burleson to offer “a verbal apology before this board and not just on the blog site which many will not access, therefore they will not benefit from receiving that apology.”

ROFL...Now think about this one for a minute. Hatley wants Wade to apologize to the full board because the full board is apparently offended by his statements. However, here he admits that members of the board will not access the blog, therefore they will not benefit from receiving the apology. Really? They apparently can be offended by material they cannot access but cannot benefit from material they cannot access. These two propositions logically tug in opposing directions. Brother Tom is a wooly thinker indeed.

While having “no desire to restrict his opinions” nor insisting “he agree with the majority of this board on any issue,” Hatley said that “when character is impugned and motives are judged that a spirit of mistrust emerges that can damage the ability of this body to work together.” He indicated that while Burleson felt these matters stand reconciled, Hatley told the Oklahoma trustee that “others do not enjoy that view and remain hurt by his comments.”

So, it's okay for them to use BP to impeach Wade Burleson and question his motives, but it's not okay for Wade to blog and discuss the motivations of his fellow trustees, whatever they may be, given the fact that no quotes were given. Let's be clear on this. They get to operate under one standard, while Wade must operate by another."

Good thoughts Gene. This blog does not equal Baptist Press or the Southern Baptist Texan.

I do think Baptist Press did a good job in the article about the meeting, though the transcript is lifeless. As soon as possible I will put the audio on my blog so people can hear it for themselves. It is interesting that in spinning the story the way they want at The Texan, they leave out reporter's Tammy Leadbetters comments from the Baptist Press article that I place here:

Reporter Tammi Leadbetter's words for the Baptist Press, not posted by the Texan.

Following the meeting, Burleson sought further discussion with Hatley, asking a reporter to listen in. “You need to hear this. I need a witness,” he stated. As the former board chairman spoke with another man, Burleson asked, “Dr. Hatley, Dr. Hatley.”

As Hatley finished his conversation and returned to gather his papers, Burleson again sought a hearing, stating to Hatley, “Brother, you did it again,” repeating his concern that charges were made without evidence of wrongdoing.

“I will not talk with you,” Hatley responded twice in response to Burleson.

The Board is changing. Believe it or not THE SPIRIT IS GETTING BETTER!!!

What has occurred in the past behind closed doors has been far worse than what happened in the public session in Albuquerque. I am grateful everything is now being recorded for all to see.

In His Grace,

Wade