Confirmation Requested: Accreditation Complaint against Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention

As a part of the accreditation complaint (see previous post) against Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention though the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Marie has requested that, in order to facilitate communication, she be sent the following:

• written confirmation that each member of the governing `board which claims to own and operate Southwest Baptist University, that is, the current Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention has received a copy of this complaint (and any subsequent correspondence resulting from the complaint) -- particularly Jody Shelenhamer, a layman a First Baptist Church heavily instrumental in the "Peacermakers Committee" of the MBC Executive Board (see latest story here);
• written confirmation that each member of the Southwest Baptist University Trustee Board -- particularly Rebecca Randles, who is an attorney for victims abused by clergy, and Rev. Billy Russell, who is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar -- has received a copy of this complaint (and any subsequent correspondence resulting from the complaint);
  
• written confirmation that each member of the Southwest Baptist University Faculty Senate has received a copy of this complaint (and any subsequent correspondence resulting from the complaint);
• written confirmation that each officer of the Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association has received a copy of this complaint (and any subsequent correspondence resulting from the complaint);
• written confirmation from each member of the Southwest Baptist University Administration has received a copy of this complaint (and any further correspondence resulting from the complaint).

Because the accreditation complaint will be public, the entire correspondence will be posted.

UPDATE! Re-Formation: Request to Reinstate Formal Accreditation Complaint against Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention

Marie has requested reinstatement of her formal complaint against Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention though the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (info on NCA).

Initial Complaint (see here)
(page and links currently being updated.)

YES, those dates are correct -- April 25,1996. ... And, yes, that is (now) Congressman Roy Blunt, (then) president of Southwest Baptist University.

Update! See here

SUNDAY UPDATE! Hoop Hopping and Bull Jumping with Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention

It was a long and difficult week -- too much to tell now -- but the situation (which became a series of "situations") is now corrected.

Information is being delivered SHORTLY [see update (here)] to Rev. Billy Russell on PICKING UP the packet of information concerning the "The Trinity To-Do Contract" and the URL and Password to the private blog by the end of February.

A brief outline of the "The Trinity To-Do Contract" will be posted SHORTLY.

Other individuals are being notified in writing of how they may participate or assist, if they are willing.

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UPDATE! Handoff ... to Rev. Billy Russell: Letter to Roger Moran SUSPENDED Pending Action by First Baptist Church of Bolivar and Rev. Billy Russell

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A BRIEF CONVERSATION AMONG FRIENDS:
The Hand-off ... To Rev. Billy Russell

Updated (see below) Monday, February 15 about 10:30 pm

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"I don't believe a thing these people SAY any more," Marie told friends.

"Well, then" one friend replied, "Believe what they DO! Explain what you want done to create whatever healing or restoration is possible in the situation and let their actions speak for themselves."

"What? Do you mean she should give them a ... To-Do list?"

"Exactly, it's a guy-thing. Give them "The Trinity To-Do Contract."

"Do you believe that Billy Russell can handle this?"

"Don't worry for him. He's a pretty scrappy pup from Detroit. I think he can deal with it. Besides, do you believe he loves his wife Regina?"

"Yes, whole-heartedly."

"Well, she'll keep him in line. What you're asking for is very reasonable and kind-hearted. Give Billy Russell 'The Trinity To-Do Contract" he needs ... and he'll run with it."

(More to follow ... )

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UPDATE!
Monday, February 15 about 10:30 pm

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Information is being delivered to Rev. Billy Russell on PICKING UP the packet of information concerning the "The Trinity To-Do Contract" and the URL and Password to the private blog by the end of February.

A brief outline of the "The Trinity To-Do Contract" will be posted SHORTLY.

Other individuals are being notified in writing of how they may participate or assist,if they are willing.

______________________________________________________________

Mailing and posting of the letter to Roger Moran, the Research Director of the Missouri Baptist Laymen's Association, regarding Southwest Baptist University Trustee Dr. Wayne Gott (here) has been SUSPENDED until further action by the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and Rev. Billy Russell.

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REAL COMMUNITY: Contact with Southwest Baptist University Trustees Suspended; Contact with First Baptist Church of Bolivar to Continue This Week

We are sorry.

We believe that it would have been in the community's (and the Missouri Baptist Convention's) best interest to involve Southwest Baptist University trustees and officials in the Restorative Justice Process, but, at this point, no viable communication can yet be established.

However, Marie will still be in contact with the First Baptist Church of Bolivar this week and will offer a means of reconciliation to those from the University who choose to participate.

We will be encouraging members of the Baptist General Convention of Missouri (info here) and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Missouri (info here) to participate in this Restorative Justice Process, also.

The Trinity Contract Blogsite will be posted and linked from this site shortly -- though it's official "opening" will be on Valentine's Day, February 14.

Atheistic Christians: It Appears an Investigation of the Southwest Baptist University Trustees and Governance is Inevitable

The initial informal feedback from the Southwest Baptist University Trustee meeting has not been positive.

Was this the usual immature bickering, defensiveness, and bullying of several of the Southwest Baptist University Trustees? Or, was this the comprehensive "spirit" of the entire Board?

Time will tell.

However, given this belligerent response, it seems a full and formal investigation of the Southwest Baptist University Trustee Board (as well as the individual Trustees, governance, legal staff, administration, faculty and staff) may be inevitable.

This was not wholly unexpected. From our experience, it appears few of the Southwest Baptist University Trustees, governance, or staff of Southwest Baptist University are actual Christians -- particularly as applies to their lifestyles, relationships with others, and understanding of civil law.

They are, in effect, *Atheistic Christians.

*Atheistic: rejecting any belief in God

Reconciliation may not be possible, though other options are certainly viable.

Regardless, The Trinity Contract will be posted this Valentine's Day, February 14, so that anyone -- whether involved in the original unethical and criminal conduct or not -- may participate.

There is still one more day of the Trustee meeting, but -- at this time -- it seems that reconciliation may well have failed.

Marie's formal letter will be presented tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

__________UPDATE - APRIL 4, 2009__________


So, where are the REAL atheists in Bolivar ... and elsewhere?

The answer may surprise you.

Please read this intriguing perspective from Mark Galli, the senior managing editor of Christianity Today and the author of A Great and Terrible Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Attributes of God.

His comments are here: Click page one and page two.

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Two-Day Southwest Baptist University Trustee Meeting Begins Today (Monday); Posting Shortly!

Posting (and faxing) Marie's Letter to
First Baptist Church of Bolivar
and Rev. Billy Russell shortly --
probably early Tuesday morning.

Hey, Wait ... What Happened to the "Invitations to Reconciliation," the First Baptist Church of Bolivar "Angels" and Restorative Justice?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1. What about the participation of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar?
They will all be included in the "festivities" next week during the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees' Meeting on February 9 and 10.

Question 2. What about Billy Russell (their current pastor and a newly-appointed Trustees of Southwest Baptist University)?
He will be asked to deliver the "Invitations" to his colleagues on the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees and within the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.

Question 3. And Ray Leininger (their former pastor and former SBU Trusteee, Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board member, and etc., etc.)?
He has his part to play, if he chooses to do so.

Question 4. Will the Southwest Baptist University Trustees, members of the Missouri Baptist Executive Board, Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver, Southwest Baptist University President C. Pat Taylor, or others be asked to resign?
Only if those individuals refuse any other option. Such an outcome would be considered a failure of the Process of Restorative Justice.

Question 5. Why does this have to be so complicated?
It doesn't; it only appears so because Southwest Baptist University, the Missouri Baptist Convention officials and others involved so many individuals and organizations.

This Process attempts to consolidate these various disputes into one "Opportunity for Restorative Ministry."

Question 6. With so much being discussed publicly, how can this possibly remain private?
Because of the number of individuals involved, certain initial aspects of the process must be made public, but the actual workings of the Process will remain private.

Question 7. How long will this take?
Marie has requested that the Process be completed by Easter; she wishes to relocate to her new university and home this spring, as soon as the weather moderates.

Question 8. How is Marie doing?
This winter has been difficult, but she has had far worse.

Food donations from organic food producers have been generous! (Thanks, guys!) Marie has been able to maintain her muscle mass and minimize seizures, respiratory inflammation, adverse immune responses and other complications -- which we hope will increase her chances of survival during her relocation.

Marie is looking forward to moving and to starting a new life, elsewhere.

Question 9. Does Marie still love Southwest Baptist University?
Always.

Cold Hope: WWII Vet Frozen to Death Leaves Estate to Hospital

Things aren't always what they seem.

In the blog entitled, Too Close for Comfort, which was posted last week (here), we described the case of the 93-year-old, Bay City, Michigan veteran, who froze to death in his own home as a result of the disconnection (or "limiting") of his electrical service.

[As we noted, elements of the story were all too reminiscent of the treatment Marie had received in previous years at the hands of Southwest Baptist University, Missouri Baptist Convention, Empire District Electric Company and Bolivar City officials (see the end of the post here). ]

CNN is reporting that Marvin Schur's story has now taken another odd twist:

(CNN) -- A 93-year-old World War II medic who froze to death last month in his Bay City, Michigan, home left his entire estate to a local hospital, an estate attorney told CNN Wednesday.

The temperature in Marvin Schur's home was 32 degrees when his body was found, a medical examiner said.

The temperature in Marvin Schur's home was 32 degrees when his body was found, a medical examiner said.

The attorney would not disclose the exact amount left behind by Martin Schur. But his nephew said his uncle indicated to family members two years ago that he had saved up more than a half-million dollars over the years. Schur and his wife, Marian, who died more than a year ago, did not have any children.

"I just know at one time he said he had over $600,000 in savings," said William Walworth. "That's what he told me and my brother, and he was proud that he was able to save and build his estate up to that."

Cathy Reder, an attorney negotiating on behalf of Bay Regional Medical Center and the Schur family, said she was filing paperwork in probate court Wednesday for the court to determine the validity of the will. A hearing has been set for March 17.

Reder would not specify the amount left to the hospital, other than to say it's more than $1.

"The will leaves everything to Bay Medical Center," she said.

The hospital had no immediate comment.

Walworth said his uncle was a frugal man who hadn't eaten at a restaurant for over 30 years. "He was very tight, and he was very frugal. But he did manage to save a lot of money."

He said it's possible his uncle's estate could be less than $600,000, but he believes it's still "sizable."

"Knowing my uncle, that's him," Walworth said. "He loved his community. He loved Bay City, Michigan."

He added, "Hopefully his death is not in vain and we can learn from this, and he's still able to save lives. ... He was a very unique, special person in my life. I'm proud of what he was able to do in his life."

He said he hopes his uncle's message will spur others to "look out for their neighbor."

Read the rest of this tragic story (here).

Servant-Leaders?: Unethical/Criminal Conduct to be Addressed at Southwest Baptist University Trustees Meeting on Feb 9 -10; MBC's Tolliver Invited

When faced with moral or ethical failure, what example should "servant-leaders" provide for Southwest Baptist University students, Missouri Baptists, the Church, and the community?

Marie is asking -- in writing -- that the unethical and/or criminal conduct of Southwest Baptist University's leadership's be addressed directly at Southwest Baptist University Trustees Meeting on February 9 -10.

The "new" Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver is also heartily invited to attend ... and answer these questions in person.

Details to be posted shortly.

UPDATED (Feb 4)! Judges Rule IN FAVOR of Windermere and Against the Missouri Baptist Convention

KANSAS CITY — A three-member panel of the Western District Court of Appeals has upheld a Cole County Circuit Court decision in favor of Windermere Baptist Conference Center’s right to amend its articles of incorporation in 2001 without the approval of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Cole County Judge Richard Callahan in March 2008 granted Windermere’s motion for summary judgment, prompting the MBC’s appeal.

MBC cases against The Baptist Home, Missouri Baptist University, Missouri Baptist Foundation and Word&Way have not yet been decided.

Word&Way will soon post a fuller story on the latest decision.

See latest information from The Word and Way (here)
and more extensively (here).

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IN-DEPTH COVERAGE from The Springfield News Leader
(here).

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READ THE COURT'S DECISION
(here - pdf required).
(This link was borrowed from Brian Kaylor's insightful blog.)

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Appeals court sides with Missouri Baptist conference center
By Vicki Brown (Associated Baptist Press)
Tuesday, 03 February 2009
February 4, 2009
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Appeals Court Affirms Trial Judge in Windermere Case
MBC Pathway,
the official journal of the Missouri Baptist Convention
February 4, 2009
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Appeals Court Rules Against Mo. Convention
EthicsDaily.com Staff
February 4, 2009
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WINDERMERE'S WEBSITE (HERE)

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After 22 Months It's FINALLY Official! Dr. David Tolliver Named Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention

From the time-warped MBC Pathway (timestamped as Last Published: February 3, 2009 3:25 PM)

Missouri Baptists get new executive director

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP)—The man who held the interim title for nearly 22 months, David Tolliver, is the new executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC).

The MBC Executive Board in a special called meeting Feb. 3 voted to call Tolliver 44-4, and Tolliver said he would accept in a Gold Room filled with board members, state convention staff, and visitors. Tolliver, 58, has been serving since May 2005 as an MBC associate executive director.

The executive board action was the culmination of a nationwide search by the 11-member search committee that took nearly 19 months. During that time Tolliver, a fourth-generation Missouri Baptist pastor, was hard at work in the Baptist Building in what turned out to be an extended job interview. Various national candidates besides Tolliver were considered along the way, but he was the only one recommended and ultimately called to succeed David Clippard, who was terminated April 10, 2007, on a 44-7 vote by the board.

Tolliver becomes the 12th man to hold the position of executive director/general superintendent/executive secretary since the 175-year-old convention created that office in 1917. Seven of those leaders served in the Missouri Baptist General Association, which was renamed the MBC in December 1958.

Read article (here).

Lots more to be said later today ...

Peacemaker's Ministry on the Agenda for Today's Meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board with Dr. David Tolliver

From the January 29, 2009 MBC Pathway :

Peace Committee continues work, more meetings set

JEFFERSON CITY—The Peace Committee of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) is looking for some guidance from the entity that formed it, the MBC Executive Board, before going ahead with a third-party mediator for what would appear to be a process of biblical reconciliation.

The committee agreed Jan. 15 when it met at the Baptist Building to place two items on the agenda of the Feb. 3 special called meeting of the Executive Board, which is mainly to consider MBC Interim Executive Director David Tolliver for the position of executive director.

The first item is to amend the composition of the committee to include two non-voting, ex-officio members—the executive director, and the chairman of the board’s Administrative Committee, who is Roy Dameron, a retired minister from Concord Baptist Church here.

Also up for a board vote is a Peace Committee request that Johnny Johnson, a Peacemaker Ministries consultant, be secured as an independent contractor for future Peace Committee meetings. This is “in compliance with the spirit” of the mandate of the committee, which is “to work things out in Missouri Baptist life.” ...

Read entire article (here).

More comments to follow after today's meeting ...

SAFE PASSAGE: An Opportunity for RESTORATIVE MINISTRY for the Missouri Baptist Convention, Southwest Baptist University & First Baptist Church Bolivar

SAFE PASSAGE:
An Opportunity for RESTORATIVE MINISTRY
for the "TRINITY" --
Missouri Baptist Convention,
Southwest Baptist University
and the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO

POSTING SHORTLY -
Letter to Dr. David Tolliver,
(Interim) Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention


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Updating links and making other blogsite adjustments ...
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Our warm prayers are with the victims of the recent ice storm.

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