The semester is over.
At this moment, Dr. R. Philip Roberts, the fourth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City (which is wholly owned by the Southern Baptist Convention), is about to give the commencement address (see here).
Congratulations to Southwest Baptist University graduates! We wish you every happiness and hope.
Our joy for your accomplishments is tempered, though, by the fact that
Marie will not be receiving her diploma from Southwest Baptist University this year.As has been made clear to her by SBU officials and allies, Marie is not likely to receive a degree from SBU e-v-e-r -- in spite of the fact that she has only a couple of classes left to finish her degree.
This much is plain: Marie is not wanted and is not welcome at Southwest Baptist University ... and is not (perhaps never was) a member of the "family" of Southwest Baptist University.
Nonetheless, Marie has been accepted at another university and will need to clear her record in order to transfer this summer and move to her new community and university.
We grieve for her that, regardless of how the situation is resolved, Marie will leave Southwest Baptist University with so much less than when she came.
As a friend wrote:
I know that when Marie's story is whispered in the halls of Heaven, the angels hang their heads and weep for the shame.
There is something horrifically wrong with a supposedly "Christian" community that abuses a student this severely and for this long -- evidently without the slightest remorse, or even a hint of disciplinary action from those who claim authority.
I only hope that this summer she can escape them, so that she can have some small chance at happiness in life.
Recovering from the Easter Incidents and the Storm
Despite a series of "chemical exposure incidents" -- which began shortly before Easter (April 12) and continued (on and off) for more than a month (see details here) -- Marie is recovering well.
Additionally, Marie sustained some milder injuries resulting from the disarray in the aftermath of Friday's (May 8) tornadic storms and straight-line (derecho) winds.
The electrical and telephone service has -- finally (after five days) -- been restored (as of Tuesday, May 12).
Detailing the Compassion Commission
In the last few weeks, Marie has reinstated The Compassion Commission -- though its duration may be shortened.
Of necessity, therefore, the scheduling of events, including the Formal Complaint to Southwest Baptist University's accreditation agency, has been accelerated.
The Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board, which claims ownership and control of SBU, will be meeting AT Southwest Baptist University on July 13-14 (see details here).
Marie is requesting that the situation be resolved by mid-July 2009.
The details of Compassion Commission for Southwest Baptist University, First Baptist Church of Bolivar and the Missouri Baptist Convention are to be posted on this blog over the Memorial Day weekend [Delayed! A change in circumstances has delayed the resumption of posting for several weeks. Thankfully, the situation is now resolving ... and posting should resume on this blog on July 12 - 14 (Sunday - Tuesday) -- beginning with the letter to Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver and the entire Missouri Baptist Executive Board, which will be meeting at Southwest Baptist University on July 13 -14.]
"Who Are You, What Are You, Rev. Billy Russell and Dr. Ray Leininger?: The Compassion Commission and the Church of Cards (see here)"
and
"Kindred Hearts Ministries: Sundering and the Sowing of New Seeds of Life for Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention"
