Thursday, February 5, 2009

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.