The IMB Didn't Listen

[HowellS]

Apparently the IMB and it's chairman did not think that the SBC Messengers meeting in Greensboro spoke clearly or either Dr. John Floyd did not listen. On Wade Burleson's blog , Burleson reports that he was not assigned to any standing committees for the 2006-2007 year. Furthermore, the intentions of the new IMB chairman, Dr. Floyd, appear to be to prevent Burleson, a duly elected Trustee, from attending any Forum or Executive Sessions. Of course, this is the same chairman, who when asked a direct question about this very thing during his IMB report at the convention, said that he had no knowledge of Burleson being prevented from attending IMB meetings. Either Dr. Floyd mis-spoke or, he was less than honest about his knowledge and intentions. In any event, this does not bode well for the coming year for the IMB. I, for one, do not believe that the IMB Trustees can get their own house in order. However, time will tell. God bless,

Howell

[Jonathan]

[William Thornton]

[Mark]

[William Thornton]

[Sandy]

[Joseph Patrick]

[William Thornton]

[William Thornton]

[Sandy]

[HowellS]

[William Thornton]

[William Thornton]

[Sandy]

There are several issues that are part of this situation. One is the way which the IMB handles theological issues, particularly "private prayer language." The other is the issue of information. There is apparently quite a difference of opinion over how open SBC trustee boards need to be in conducting their business and, if you read some of the blogs and their comments, there has been far too much secrecy. The third issue, again raised by the bloggers, is whether there will be any response from trustees to those who are advocating a change in the standard M.O. of a small group controlling how all business is conducted.

I wouldn't underestimate Burleson. Some of those blogs are taking lots of hits per day, and there are lots of them. His voice will be heard by the grassroots. Personally, I think he has shown a lot of tact and restraint in the way he posts. If the IMB trustee leadership isn't careful, he will become "the cause."

I think the best course for the trustees would have been "business as usual." Put Burleson on a committee. Make an honest effort to work through the differences. Instead, they seem bent on punishing him out of their anger over the fact that he got out of line, stood up for what he believed and then had the audacity to inform the people who are paying the bills about what was going on. He acted, well, like a trustee. The way they are handling this, however, looks like they are taking orders from someone else....

[David Flick]

[T. D. Webb]

[William Thornton]

[Sandy]

[T. D. Webb]

[William Thornton]

[T. D. Webb]

Corbaley is most certainly, just as the vast majority of Trustees are, in the Hatley-Floyd camp. However, to distort the well-worn cliche, "The might of the majority does not necessarily make right." Unless the essential rights of free expression from the dissenting minority are protected, we are faced with a dictatorship of the many. William, thanks for the reference to the unnamed Trustee's version of what happened. However, the anonymous Trustee's account would, perhaps, have greater credibility. . .if he had identified himself.


In His Grace and Peace,

[William Thornton]

[T. D. Webb]

[Sandy]

[David Flick]