Update! - Missouri Baptist Convention Battles Over Windermere: Appeal Set for Nov. 25; Judge Recuses Himself

These legal proceedings (here) involving Windermere Baptist Conference Center are part of the seven-year-long battle contesting the "ownership" claims between the current (conservative) Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board and the five "rogue" (more moderate/ liberal) MBC agencies -- who have renounced MBC control by determining to appoint their own Trustees (rather than permitting the Missouri Baptist Convention to do so).

The outcome of this litigation will help to define the "ownership" of another Missouri Baptist Convention agency -- Southwest Baptist University.

*Update*

The hearing was held on the morning of November 25; both sides were heard briefly and the panel of judges directed several questions to the lawyers for both parties.

The Appeals Court may rule as early as the end of January 2009.

Updates to follow...

From Now Through Thanksgiving Weekend!: We Are Adding New Links and Blog/Website Features - Reopening Nov. 26 - 30

THANKSGIVING! The Trinity Contract: Correspondence with Southwest Baptist University, Missouri Baptist Convention & First Baptist of Bolivar, MO

Marie has corresponded with Southwest Baptist University,
the Missouri Baptist Convention,
and the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO.

UPDATE!
Over the last several weeks, we have encountered ...
unusual events and ... strange tales.

THE TRINITY CONTRACT is being presented -- CAUTIOUSLY --
during the THANKSGIVING BREAK! ...

~~~*~~~

The Circumstances "on the Ground" Have Changed; Adjustments and Re-Scheduling in Progress!

In the past several weeks, the circumstances "on the ground" have changed, requiring some delays and rescheduling of THE EVENTS CALENDAR.

However, adjustments have been made and re-scheduling is in progress.

Stay tuned!

Missouri Baptist Convention and Southwest Baptist University HEART OF INTEGRITY QUESTIONS CALENDAR of EVENTS for October/November 2008

~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~
MISSOURI BAPTIST CONVENTION
and
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
and
First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri
HEART OF INTEGRITY Questions

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
for OCTOBER and NOVEMBER 2008

~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~
Update for MONDAY (October 6, 2008)
Last Update Monday, October 6, 2008 about 9:40 pm
(Links to MBC Annual Meeting information now operative.)
Major changes made to schedule
~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~

After discussions with friends in the last several weeks,
Marie requested
some changes be made to the schedule.

After speaking with several friends in the media,
Marie has requested that the
PRESS RELEASES
not be posted until
WEDNESDAY, October 22 --
following the
Southwest Baptist University Trustee meeting.

However, Marie felt it best to release
at least some information
to others throughout this week (October 6-12).

_________________________________________________________________________

| MONDAY-SUNDAY October 6 - 12 |
_________________________________________________________________________

New Beginnings:
Letters to
Rev. Gary Ankrom and the First Assembly of God Church
in Bolivar, MO
to be delivered and posted this week.

~~~*~~~

A DIFFERENT
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITATOR
will be made available to
First Baptist Church of Bolivar this week
(October 6 -12)

See blog for additional details this week!

~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| MONDAY-FRIDAY October 13 - 17 |
_________________________________________________________________________

DELAYED UNTIL OCTOBER 12-17!

A Revised Version of the
Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths
Commitment and Pledge
packet to be delivered to
First Baptist Church of Bolivar
(see here)

See blog for additional details this week!

~~~*~~~

"Letters of Distinction"
arrive throughout the week of October 13-17

Individuals of Distinction: Billy Russell, Rodney Reeves,
Ray Leinginger,
Fred Pike, Larry Stehr, Bill Hooper,
Mark Tappmeyer, Jodie Shelenhamer

See blog for additional details this week!

~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| MONDAY and TUESDAY October 20 -21 |
_________________________________________________________________________


The Fall Meeting of the
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 20 - 21

~~~*~~~
_________________________________________________________________________

| WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY October 23 - 24 |
_________________________________________________________________________

Press Releases (plural):
Requesting an Emergency Meeting
of the
Missouri Baptist Convention
Executive Board

(described here)

In addition to the initial request,
there are more substantial calls for immediate action.

An outline of these press releases will be posted shortly.

See blog for additional details this week!

~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| MONDAY and TUESDAY October 27 - 29 |
_________________________________________________________________________

MISSOURI BAPTIST CONVENTION
2008 Annual Meeting
174th Annual Session, October 27–29, 2008

Millennium Hotel
(www.millenniumhotels.com)
St. Louis, Missouri

2008 Fact Sheet (pdf)
Provisional Program (pdf)

Officers:
Dr. Gerald R. Davidson, President
Dr. Bruce McCoy, First Vice President
Dr. John Marshall, Second Vice President
Rev. Chadd Pendergraft, Recording Secretary

John Francis, Music Coordinator

Overall Theme:
Restoring Fellowship – Reaching People,
John 17:20-23

~~~*~~~
_________________________________________________________________________

A Gift and a Kindness: Strength after Life- Threatening Health Crisis

Following a series of life-threatening incidents, Marie is recovering strongly now. She has been encouraged by the kindnesses of friends and by practical gifts of organic food and supplies ... including a gift of organic, free-range eggs, which have been strengthening to her.

Today, Monday, October 6, 2008, we will be posting a new Tentative Calendar of Events for October - November 2008.

Happy Rosh Hashanah! - Posting Resumes on Sunday (October 5).

Happy Rosh Hashanah (wiki):

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holidays
or Yamim Noraim ("Days of Awe"),
or Asseret Yemei Teshuva (The Ten Days of Repentance)
which are days specifically set aside
to focus on repentance
that conclude with the holiday of Yom Kippur.


Posting to resume on Sunday (October 5)..

Life ... and Dreams Lost: "Celebrating" a Satanic Miracle - 20th Anniversary of First Acute Pesticide Poisoning at Southwest Baptist University

Today is the 20th (twentieth) anniversary of
Marie O'Hara’s first acute pesticide poisoning
at Southwest Baptist University on
September 26, 1988.

(Guess their Get Well card is still in the mail, ya think?)

For the large majority of that twenty years,
Marie has lived without any income (see here) *
or assistance from local, state, or federal agencies,
due to illegal harassment and injury by SBU associates.

And, this marks a satanic miracle --
in twenty years, Marie has not received
a penny of assistance
from any of the Southwest Baptist University family
or any church or church-related organization.

And yet, apparently,
none of the titans of Baptist ethical leadership at
Southwest Baptist University
or the Missouri Baptist Convention
seem to believe that anything is
wrong with this picture?

Because, as we all know,
if the Southwest Baptist University family
felt that something, anything
was amiss in the way that Marie has been treated,
they would let nothing stop them from doing something --
something good --
to correct the situation, wouldn't they?

Wouldn't they?

~*~

* Since this document was filed in 1996, Marie has received no local, state, federal, church or church-related assistance.

(More postings to follow later THIS WEEK.)

~*~

Slow, Steady Recovery and GOING PUBLIC: Finally, THIS WEEK! ... First, Letters to Rev. Gary Ankrom and the First Assembly of God Church in Bolivar

Over the past week or so, Marie has been making a slow but steady and encouraging recovery from a severe health crisis.

In a series of posts beginning this week, Marie will finally be making public much of what has been happening for the past several years.

First, will be:
Letters to Rev. Gary Ankrom and
the First Assembly of God Church in Bolivar, MO

to be posted shortly.

More Bullying Baptists? A Threat to Marie's Survival ... Again!

Due to changes in her home environment
over the next two weeks,
Marie is facing the imminent threat of further
injury, disability or death.

Although her concerns have been detailed in writing,
it appears the threat and harm are purposeful
and intended to cause distress and injury.

Marie continues to hope that reason will prevail.

Just an accident?

A misunderstanding?

Crossed communication?

Maybe. Hopefully.

But, most of us realize that --
because those involved in these changes
are Southern Baptists --
it seems unlikely that reason will prevail
and far more likely that
Marie will be injured ... or worse.

~*~

If Marie does not survive,
she has given her permission to allow
the publication of her story,
so that others may be warned.

~*~

We will keep posting ...


~*~

New Beginnings: Marie's Letter to Rev. Gary Ankrom and the First Assembly of God in Bolivar, MO to be Kept Private for One Week

Marie has heeded a request to keep
New Beginnings: The Letter(s) to
Rev. Gary Ankrom and the First Assembly of God Church
in Bolivar, MO
PRIVATE for a period of one week.

Therefore, these letters will not be posted today or
this week.

Others letters, however, will be posted shortly.

Some Disturbing News ... and THIS WEEK: Presentation of the "Restorative Project"

This weekend, Marie received some disturbing news, which -- if true -- will necessarily and sadly alter some arrangements.

However, this week, Marie will be presenting "The Restorative Project" to about twenty individuals and entities -- NOT ALL of whom are associated with the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Postings to follow late tonight (Monday) ...

The Restorative Project: Letters to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and the Missouri Baptist Convention will be Nearly 100 Pages!

"The Restorative Project" (letters to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and the Missouri Baptist Convention) will be nearly 100 pages long!

Marie has requested help from friends to print this "small book" this weekend; it will be presented to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and the Missouri Baptist Convention early this week -- hopefully Monday!

Oh, and, major portions of it will be published on the new blog!

The Julian Standard: Should 12 - 20 Southwest Baptist University Staff and as Many as Half of the Trustees Be Fired for the Harm Done to a Student?

"Yes."

That's the decision that Marie has reached
over the last few days.

"Yes, they should be dismissed, if their actions or neglect
meet the Julian Standard,
which the SBU Trustees and Administration themselves
set for others."

The Julian Standard:
Should 12 - 20 Southwest Baptist University Staff and
as Many as Half of the Trustees Be Fired
for the Harm Done to a Student?
to be posted this weekend night
(Sorry for delay. More info has been added.) --

along with
the REVISED LETTERS to
the Missouri Baptist Convention,

the Southwest Baptist University
Student Government Association

and SBU Faculty Senate

and the
First Baptist Church of Bolivar.

A No-Go?: Proposed PUBLIC APOLOGY by First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri Baptist Convention and Southwest Baptist University

The proposed PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APOLOGY -- which was described yesterday (here) -- may be a NO-GO.

As soon as yesterday's post was published, Marie begun to hear that, in spite of what was being said informally, those involved were (as is the unfortunate custom at Southwest Baptist University) taking advantage of Marie's noble and tender-hearted concern for SBU students and others.

In actuality, they had NO intention of cooperating with an acknowledgement and a carefully-worded apology. In fact, their pleas appear to be nothing more than an effort to stall the Internal Investigation.

To safeguard against this ploy, Marie has integrated two former proposals -- allowing the OPTION of a PUBLIC APOLOGY and participation in the Restorative Justice process and, otherwise, REQUIRING the initiation of the Internal Investigation, which is to be monitored weekly by the officials of the Missouri Baptist Convention until the October 2008 meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Details to be posted later today ...

PUBLIC APOLOGY to be Given by First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri Baptist Convention and Southwest Baptist University on KYOO Sun, Sept 7 or 14

In lieu of the Preliminary Agreement that was to be finalized by August 31, 2008, Marie has allowed for a carefully-worded PUBLIC APOLOGY.

In light of concerns that Marie's request for an investigation could easily lead to the dismissal of 12 to 20 Southwest Baptist University administrators, faculty and staff and (at least) one third of the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees (as well as some within the Southern Baptist and Missouri Baptist Convention leadership) [see details here], Marie has revised her letter to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri.

Instead of the Preliminary Agreement, which was to have been signed on August 31, 2008, Marie is requesting a carefully-worded and brief ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and PUBLIC APOLOGY, which will be:

• delivered during the second morning service of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar Sunday morning service
• broadcast on KYOO radio (1200 AM and 99.1 FM)
  
• between 10:45 and noon
  
• on Sunday, September 7, 2008 and/or Sunday 14, 2008.

The nature of this APOLOGY is discussed in the REVISED letter to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, which is to be HAND-DELIVERED and partially posted on this week to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.

Revising: A Revised Letter to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar will be posted shortly

Marie, her friends and advisers have revised
the proposal to the
First Baptist Church of Bolivar.

The revised letter will be posted shortly.

12 to 20 Southwest Baptist University and One Third of Trustees To Resign?: Revised Letter to First Baptist Church of Bolivar Delayed Until Thursday

Friends have pointed out to Marie that there is no way for the First Baptist Church of Bolivar to accomplish the tasks she has requested in her Wednesday, August 26 (today's) letter with the slightest bit of integrity -- without requiring that as many as twelve to twenty Southwest Baptist University faculty and staff members (as well as fully one third of the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees) -- RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.

"A bit harsh for the first proposal, isn't it?" a friend asked Marie.

Citing a series of proposals, Marie reminded her friends this was not the first proposal.

"True enough, but you have never actually given the proposal to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, have you?" one friend answered. "Won't you give the Church an opportunity to respond first before precipitating something so drastic."

"Perhaps it is time for some drastic measures," Marie observed.

After much discussion, Marie agreed to REVISE the letter, but stipulated that the INITIAL DECISION DATE for pledging commitment to this process should REMAIN August 31, 2008.

The REVISED Letter to First Baptist Church of Bolivar, therefore, will be HAND-DELIVERED on THURSDAY, AUGUST 28.

Update: see Monday, September 1, 2208 post here.

Change Update! CALENDAR for MISSOURI BAPTIST CONVENTION and First Baptist Church of Bolivar HEART OF INTEGRITY QUESTIONS: August and September 2008

~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~
MISSOURI BAPTIST CONVENTION
and
First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri

HEART OF INTEGRITY Questions

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FOR AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 2008
~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~
Update for WEDNESDAY August (27)
(last update Wednesday, August 27 at 3:30 pm)
Major changes made to schedule
~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~

After substantial discussions with those arriving
in Bolivar this week,
some changes were made to the schedule.

After speaking with several friends in the media,
Marie has requested that the PRESS RELEASE
not be posted until TUESDAY, September 2.

If the First Baptist Church of Bolivar does intend
to do something to right this matter,
we should all know by then.
(see here)

However, Marie felt it best to release
at least some information
to the Student Government Association this week.


_________________________________________________________________________

| SUNDAY August (24) |
_________________________________________________________________________


Southwest Baptist University
students return
~~~*~~~


_________________________________________________________________________

| MONDAY August (25) |

_________________________________________________________________________



COMMUNICATIONS FACILITATOR
will be made available to
First Baptist Church of Bolivar this week
~*~

"Letters of Distinction"
arrive throughout this week

Individuals of Distinction: Billy Russell, Rodney Reeves, Ray Leinginger,
Fred Pike, Larry Stehr, Bill Hooper,
Mark Tappmeyer, Jodie Shelenhamer

~*~

Southwest Baptist University
Fall Semester classes begin
~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| TUESDAY August (26) |
_________________________________________________________________________



~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| WEDNESDAY August (27) |
_________________________________________________________________________

DELAYED Till THURSDAY!
see newest post for Wednesday
Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths Letters
packet hand-delivered to
First Baptist Church of Bolivar
in the morning
(to be faxed beforehand)
(see here)
~*~

Letters to Southwest Baptist University
Student Government Association
officers being sent
~~~*~~~
_________________________________________________________________________

| THURSDAY August (28) |

_________________________________________________________________________

Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths Letters
packet hand-delivered to
First Baptist Church of Bolivar
in the morning
(to be faxed beforehand)
(see here)
~*~

Letters to Southwest Baptist University
Student Government Association
officers arrive
~~~*~~~


~~~*~~~
_________________________________________________________________________

| FRIDAY August (29) |
_________________________________________________________________________





~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| SATURDAY August (30) |
_________________________________________________________________________



~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| SUNDAY August (31) |
_________________________________________________________________________



_______________________________________________
THE CHOICE MADE:
Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths
Preliminary Agreement pledged, witnessed and signed
by the First Baptist Church of Bolivar Deacon Board
... OR NOT

(See: here for details)

~~~*~~~

_______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

| MONDAY SEPTEMBER (1) |
_________________________________________________________________________

LABOR DAY

~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

| TUESDAY SEPTEMBER (2) |

_________________________________________________________________________

Press Release:
Request for Emergency Meeting of the
Missouri Baptist Convention
(described here)

(See also: Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths)

~~~*~~~

_________________________________________________________________________

"He wouldn't do that!" 35% of Ministers Admit Sexually Inappropriate Behavior; Protestant Clergy Twice as Likely to "Sexually Exploit" as Therapists

"He wouldn't do that!"

..."Would he?"

Absolutely, he would.

He (the pastor, clergy, minister, church worker) did, he does, and he will continue to do so ...

The numbers are astonishing and alarming (see story here).

Yes, even in Missouri.

Witness the case of Rev. Paul Brooks (a former Trustee during the time of Marie's double pesticide poisoning, see here), and his son, Mark Lewis Brooks, who fathered an out-of-wedlock child (while married) and serving on the church staff of First Baptist Church of Raytown, MO.

From the Ethics Daily:

... [A twenty-year old intern] alleged the younger Brooks, employed at the time as a singles minister at the church, sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions over a five-month span between September 2003 and January 2004. She gave birth to a daughter in October 2004, and DNA tests proved Brooks was the father. ...

According to the original lawsuit, Mark Brooks forced himself on the young woman several times, telling her it was God's will. When Paul Brooks phoned to ask about the nature of her relationship with his son, she said Mark Brooks would not leave her alone.

Paul Brooks said it was her fault and told her not to answer his calls. When she became pregnant, both a counselor arranged by the church and Mark Brooks advised her to have an abortion. (In September First Baptist Raytown was host church for a rally opposed to stem-cell research featuring speakers including Rick Scarborough and Alan Keyes.)

From there, the story rips through broken lives and violated families.
(See the full story here).

You will notice that the list of the former Trustees of Southwest Baptist University is riddled with the names of Missouri Baptists and Southern Baptists, who style themselves as "leaders," (see here).

Yet, all of these men and (some few) women have allowed flagrantly unethical and immoral (and even potentially criminal) conduct to continue over years and years and decades at Southwest Baptist University -- with no care for the victims or their families.

A Pattern and Practice of Deception

In fact, it seems the pattern and practice of abuse is particularly virulent in Missouri. See this article:

Baptist Scandals: Missouri case shows
Southern Baptist patterns in failing to protect kids

And there are more and more and more stories within Southern Baptist Convention churches and organizations (see here).

The Southern Baptist Slavery Ethic

Within the Southern Baptist Convention churches, organizations and universities, the abuse against women, children and minorities is epidemic.

This abuse flourishes, in part, because the undergirding ethic upon which the Southern Baptist Convention was founded -- the Southern Baptist "slavery ethic" -- is still alive and prospering in Missouri and elsewhere.

The "slavery ethic" is the lifestyle, belief, and teaching that other humans beings, particularly women, children and social, ethnic or racial minorities (who are not of economic, social or personal benefit to the Southern Baptist Individual):

• may be bought and sold at a price,
• can be used, abused and disposed of without consequences or guilt,
  
• and can and should be denied the rights, privileges and benefits of a free society, if those rights, privileges or benefits conflict with those of the Southern Baptist individual, organization or institution -- because other individuals are of intrinsically less worth than the Southern Baptist individual in the eyes of both God and society.

Until June 20, 1995 when the Southern Baptist Convention issued a formal "Resolution on Racial Reconciliation, the Southern Baptist Convention had not officially discredited the practice of using the Bible as a justification for slavery and white supremacy. ^{(If you like, see references here and here)}

Although, in 2008, that resolution looks wonderful on paper and was a long-awaited and laudable step, it remains to be seen how much longer it will take some Southern Baptists to rescind the Southern Baptist "slavery ethic" and lifestyle from their hardened hearts ... and re-join the rest of us in the human race.