TOO BIZARRE: Marie's Landlord Threatens -- in Writing -- to Stage a Police (Paramilitary-Style?) Raid ... to Repair an Exterior Storm Window Broken During Renovation (No Kidding)

TOO BIZARRE:  Marie's Landlord Threatens -- in Writing -- to Stage a Police (Paramilitary-Style?) Raid ... to Repair an Exterior Storm Window Broken During Renovation  

No, we are not kidding.

This is just getting too bizarre.

And, this kind of incident is becoming too common to be comical, anymore.  

The window in question, which was accidentally broken by falling debris during installation of the house guttering on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, is an old-style, exterior storm window, which can ONLY be replaced from the outside. 

On the day the damage occurred (at 8:09 pm that evening, to be precise), this situation was calmly explained to the landlords -- via a private blog kept by Marie and her friends to communicate and log the upkeep of the manor house.

The landlords and their eldest daughter arrived the next morning (Thursday), inspected the damaged window and the newly-installed guttering, left a rather nasty letter, and departed in the heavily-laden van, apparently returning to California, after a tortuous month (plus) of renovations on the manor house.

However, this past Friday, August 6, Marie received a letter, dated August 3, from the landlord, Art Martinez, listing four "choices" for repairing the window.

The "choices" are given below (quoted exactly from the letter):

     1.  Have the police break in (at your expense.)

     2.  We call and get help from the local church.

     3.  Have Randy drive down and pick the lock (at your expense, of course)  That's two trips, one to measure and one to install.  He charges $40 per hour, plus gas expense.

     4. Someone we know in K. C. has a key.  He charges same as Randy.

The company has already plainly acknowledged responsibility for the broken window!  

They have made arrangements to replace the single-pane window -- from the outside -- this week.

Remember: no one, including the window company, has ever requested (and certainly was not denied) interior access to repair the exterior storm window.

The four "choices" presented in the August 3 letter were the first communication Marie had concerning the window -- although, as stated, she had already reported the incident in detail (including the exact time and nature of the damage) in the private Manor House blog.

That second "choice" of the four (We call and get help from the local church.) wouldn't be suspiciously manipulative or anything, would it?  (Apparently, this refers to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, the church of former Southwest Baptist University CEO/President, Congressman Roy Blunt, who is currently running for the United States Senate.  The landlords are Southern Baptists and current members of Saddleback Church, the largest Southern Baptist Church in the United States, where Rick Warren pastors.)

Just to emphasize the menacing nature of the threat, her landlord added a post script:

P. S.:  The window may be in by the time you receive this info.  Please note [word underlined]:  Without communication, in an emergency, the means of entry is our choice.

It is hard to classify this as a simple misunderstanding; clearly, this is intentional and malicious harassment.

But why?

Simple meanness, or something more calculated, and potentially more ominous ... or dangerous. 

We will be updating the situation on a regular basis over the next several weeks.

THE DEAL: PURCHASING PEOPLE, BREAKING BONDS, and ENDING FRIENDSHIPS; Christian Love in Action at the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and the Missouri Baptist Convention Churches

THE DEAL:  PURCHASING PEOPLE, BREAKING BONDS and ENDING FRIENDSHIPS; Christian Love in Action at the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and the Missouri Baptist Convention Churches

.. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

                                                (1 Timothy 6:10)

That certainly has proven true at Southwest Baptist University and within the churches of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

This week, after a series of bizarre, written threats and physical abuses, Marie has ended (or, rather, acknowledged the obvious termination of) her friendship with her landlords, Art and Shirlee Martinez, and their adult children, Deeann, Jolee, and Matthew.  [See previous posts:  (here) (here) and (here) ]

There was a time, not too distant, when Marie considered this family to be as close as kin -- a second family, after the death of her own parents and her sister.

Now, that love and trust is tainted ... and cannot be reconciled.

Though their friendship has endured a myriad of trials and tribulations for almost a quarter of a century; ultimately, it is clear that the family has made a "deal" with the Missouri Baptist Convention and the local church, the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.

What is that deal?

Marie's life has been purchased; she has been bought and sold to the Missouri Baptist Convention.   

Apparently, the tacit agreement is that Marie's landlords will be awarded "compensation" for Marie's tenancy -- regardless if Marie should "accidentally" meet her "demise" before completing the supposed "Restorative Justice Process" with Southwest Baptist University, the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri, and the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Of course, human nature being what it is, this financial arrangement leaves little incentive (or tolerance) for allowing Marie to live.  

Predictably, Marie has been forced to suffer systematic assault and peril over the last few months (and, indeed, over the last several years).

As the betrayal became more evident, Marie withdrew from recent negotiations with First Baptist Church of Bolivar, precipitating a bewildering barrage of retaliation from her beloved landlords -- vicious slanders and various forms of abuse, intimidation, threat, and insult.

The Southern Baptist ethic demands abject obeisance and does not tolerate dissidence well -- most particularly from a women (and a disabled and "useless" woman, at that). 

Marie will be punished, she knows, for daring to speak, for daring to ask for Justice from the utterly unjust and the vengeful.

We grieve for this loss, not only for Marie personally, but for the Christian community as a whole; for, until this last few years, this family was praised, as providing an heroic example of noble character and self-sacrifice.

This appears, unfortunately, to no longer be the case. 

Is this a misunderstanding?   Is there some other explanation?  We wish there were; for, without doubt, Marie has not parted this friendship easily or lightly.


There is much more to say ... and this will be continued later (see next post).

UPDATE! POLITICAL POISON AND WORSHIPING OTHER GODS: Marie's Letter to the Student Government Association of Southwest Baptist University (to be Posted on August 18)

The letter described below, which has been prepared for a number of months, will be posted on Wednesday, August 18, on  the day when the freshmen students arrive on campus for the Fall semester at Southwest Baptist University.

We believe that the "elders" of Southwest Baptist Unive4rsity and the Missouri  Baptist Convention have failed us individually and have failed Southwest Baptist University as an institution of higher learning. 

It is time to leave behind the detrimental characteristics that so mark (and mar) this generation of leaders:  the political corruption, petty connivance and vitriolic squabbling, anti-intellectual and superstitious railings and fear mongering, misogynistic bigotry, hackneyed whining and excuse-making, and the self-indulgent, self-righteousness arrogance. 


While acknowledging the ample good that previous generations have brought to the Missouri Baptist Convention, it is time for the "elders" to grown up ... and time for a new generation to step up to leadership and bring a fresh and prophetic Voice to Southwest Baptist University, a Voice that that will worship in Spirit and in Truth.

It is time to seek a New Spirit at Southwest Baptist University.

 

 _______________________________________

After years of unsuccessful attempts to mediate a peaceful resolution, on Monday morning, August 2, Marie will publish her letter to the Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association, which details her reasons for demanding the immediate resignations of:  

• Southwest Baptist University President and CEO Dr. C. Pat Taylor and various staff and professors at Southwest Baptist University;
• Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver, 
• the entire Board of Trustees of Southwest Baptist University, 
• and the entire Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

She will also request sanctions against the deacons and pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar and against the former President and CEO of Southwest Baptist University, U. S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who is currently running for the U. S. Senate seat of the retiring Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.

 _______________________________________

POLITICAL POISON AND WORSHIPING OTHER GODS: Marie's Letter to the Student Government Association of Southwest Baptist University

After years of unsuccessful attempts to mediate a peaceful resolution, on Monday morning, August 2, Marie will publish her letter to the Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association, which details her reasons for demanding the immediate resignations of:  

• Southwest Baptist University President and CEO Dr. C. Pat Taylor and various staff and professors at Southwest Baptist University;
• Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver, 
• the entire Board of Trustees of Southwest Baptist University, 
• and the entire Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

She will also request sanctions against the deacons and pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar and against the former President and CEO of Southwest Baptist University, U. S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who is currently running for the U. S. Senate seat of the retiring Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.

Progress Report: Was the Rumor True? Has Marie Survived?

Was the rumor true?  (see post)

Yes and No.

There seems to have been a cross communication:  the former owner had given one set of instructions, whereas the new owner, their adult daughter, has issued a different decree.

Marie was caught in the middle of dueling construction projects.

Apparently, the gracious new owner has agreed to negotiate a peaceful, minister-mediated cessation to Marie's tenancy, following the completion of Marie's business with Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention -- most probably during the October meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Yes, Marie has, thus far, survived.


However, Marie has been severely injured by several days of carelessness by workers on the site, incompetence so bizarre as to seem almost purposeful.


Your continued prayers for her health and well-being (and the health and well-being of her gracious landlords) are appreciated!

Rumor: Marie's Landlords Plan Enforced Eviction, Perhaps Intentional Execution, on Monday, July 19, 2010?

Evidence is mounting that Marie's landlords plan to forcibly evict Marie from her Bolivar, Missouri home on Monday, July 19 or within several days thereafter.

It is rumored around town that, rather than leave tomorrow (after a month of renovations, see previous post), Marie's landlords, who are staunch Republicans and members of the largest Southern Baptist Church, Saddleback Church in California, plan to begin the construction of a new addition adjacent to Marie's living quarters -- thus ending her tenancy, if not her life, in order to disrupt any further attempt at receiving compensation and Restorative Justice for the injuries and abuse she received at Southwest Baptist University. 

Evidently, the pressure is mounting on former Southwest Baptist University CEO/President and Trustee, Republican House Representative Roy Blunt, who is running in a neck-and-neck campaign against Democrat Robin Carnahan for the Missouri Senate seat of outgoing Senator Kit Bond.

From what is said around town, this action has been precipitated by Roy Blunt's recent touting (in several television commercials) of his leadership as the Southwest Baptist University president as a "positive" point in his bid for the Senate seat.  

Apparently, he does not wish revelations concerning his questionable leadership at the university to cast a cloud on his Senate ambitions, as even a switch in one of two percentage points could loose the election for him. 

Current SBU Trustees and local Republicans appear to be supporting the effort to end Marie's attempt to receive compensation.

We hope that this is rumor only, but the threat is so grave as to require this warning. 


Your prayers are requested and appreciated.

More details to follow, later this afternoon and this evening.

Justice Delayed: Renovation and Praying for Recovery

Marie is attempting to recover from injuries sustained during the renovation of her home during the last month.  

The three heat advisories in the last week (including today) and the elevated air pollution index, which has hovered in the high "yellow" range, edging close to the "orange" (unhealthy for sensitive groups) range for the last three weeks, have exacerbated health concerns.

We would appreciate your prayers for Marie's safety, well-being and health, especially on Monday (July 19), which is to be the last day of construction.

Thank you.

NEW INFORMATION!  Rumor: Marie's Landlords Plan Enforced Eviction, Perhaps Intentional Execution, on Monday, July 19, 2010?  (here)

Tues., June 22 Update: "Re-cycling" Opportunity as Restorative Justice Wins! - HELP, HARM or HINDRANCE?: A Crisis ... and, Perhaps, an Opportunity

 Update on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 about 6:00 am

We are not the first to observe that life seems to run in cycles, what was up becomes down, as events revolve in a circle, like a wheel, as events are "re-cycled". 

Several years ago, the opportunity for Restorative Justice in these matters seemed an imminent reality, an inevitable and God-ordained, resolution to a difficult situation.  

Then, through a series of events, the opportunity began to disintegrate entirely, as individuals (and even groups) associated with this venture disagreed, arguing vehemently about methods, personalities, and resources, thereby dissolving long-standing alliances and partnerships, while other participants could only look on in disbelieving bewilderment.

Once again, now, however, the wheel has revolved, the cycle has returned as gradually old alliances are mending, new friendships forming ... and the opportunity for Restorative Justice has reemerged!

The crisis, God-willing, has become an opportunity, as once again individuals begin, this week, to work toward the goal of resolution:  repentance, restitution ... and Restorative Justice and care for all those involved. 

Your prayers are appreciated!  

Details will be posted as soon as possible.

____________________________

Update on Friday, June 18, 2010 about 10:00 am

We are still hopeful -- but by no means certain -- that this could turn into an opportunity, rather than a crisis.  

We  will be posting more details over the next several days.

____________________________

HELP, HARM or HINDRANCE? 

Yesterday (Wednesday, June 18), Marie was presented with a crisis ... and an opportunity. 

Once again, this summer, Marie will be subjected to potentially harmful and injurious exposures in her home environment, which could possibly render her home uninhabitable, complicate her injuries, and incapacitate her to the point that she would not be able to relocate this summer.  

We will be posting further details later this evening..

We appreciate your prayers!

____________________________

THE MISSING ELEMENT - ACCOUNTABILITY: Dealing with the Long-Term Accreditation Issues at Southwest Baptist University ... and Providing a Parakletos

This week, once again, while attempting to provide a peaceful solution to this situation, Marie was confronted with the same obstacle that has so often hindered progress.

The obstruction is all too familiar: since the Missouri Baptist Convention has effectively rescinded responsibility and control of Southwest Baptist University by refusing repeatedly to take reasonable action against unethical (and even dangerous and criminal) conduct by the SBU and MBC administration, employees and Trustees, how are Southwest Baptist University's long-term accreditation issues to be addressed -- short of actually closing down the school and/or firing a large portion of the Trustees and staff?

If Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention ever had the maturity and integrity to actually  come to terms with their failures and grapple with these issues, few doubt that they would emerge stronger, more vibrantly transformed, and more dedicated to the cause of Christ than ever before.

As it is, however, the SBU and MBC officials querulously and arrogantly shrug off every attempt at communication and berate, threaten, or abuse anyone who inquiries about these issues.

THE MISSING ELEMENT IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

After a series of incidents over the last several months, Marie is more than convinced that it is NOT her place to become interminably enmeshed in the lengthy and ongoing process of resolution. 

As she has made clear to SBU and MBC officials, she believes (and has firmly believed for years) that her calling is elsewhere and that she should relocate, as soon as possible. 

She has been alternately ignored, mocked, and brutalized for her efforts to encourage a peaceful reconciliation.

However, though persistent prayer and inquiry, the Holy Spirit has provided a method of assistive and supervisory direction and management.

This week, Marie has begun working with a seminary -- one of the oldest in the United States, which is affiliated with a prestigious ivy league university -- who would be competent to partner with SBU and the MBC to provide extended oversight and accountability as Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention contend with an array of entrenched ethical, moral, and legal issues.

Affirming the place of the local church in resolving these issues, Marie will ask that the pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri to collaborate with this seminary in arranging for this cooperative care and supervision for Southwest Baptist University.

For her part, as Marie stated in her letter (dated April 13, 2010 letter here) to Dr. David Tolliver, who is a recent Southwest Baptist University Trustee and the current executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention, Marie affirms that she remains willing to participate in the Educare Forum.
 
Over the next several weeks, we will be posting daily bulletins as we track the emergence of this coalition, which has been assembled as a manifestation of Grace, to become a parakletos -- to advocate, to plead the cause, to act as an intercessor for Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention as they struggle to overcome these challenges.

INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE, Minimizing Further Harm: Individual Letters Issued, Followed by Pastoral Letters, then the Letters to the Southwest Baptist University and MBC Trustees

INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE, Minimizing Further Harm

In order to minimize further harm to those involved, several individuals will be notified by mail concerning the events of the next week.  Those individual letters should be arriving on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 6 - 8).

Additionally, the letter to the pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar should arrive within that time frame.  The pastors will be asked to intervene by taking positive action in this situation.  If they are unwilling or unable, the pastors will be asked to deliver the letter to the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees, who will be meeting on Monday and Tuesday, May 10 and 11 at SBU.

If the issue remains unresolved by that Tuesday, the Missouri Baptist Convention will be asked to intervene.

REDIRECTION: Although substantial alterations have been required in order to accommodate the significant changes in the situation, we will be working with First Baptist Church of Bolivar this week to effect a resolution.

NEXT POSTS - Thursday - Saturday, May 6 - 8, 2010: Several letters, including the letter to the pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri.

Illuminating the True Pathway and the Day of Reckoning: A Letter to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board & First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri

 Faxed to: Dr. David Tolliver at the Missouri Baptist Convention, Jefferson City (Wednesday, April 14, 2010 about 1:10 pm)

____________________________________

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

From the Desk of Marie O’Hara
Mailing Address
Bolivar, MO  65613

Dr. David Tolliver, Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director,
and the members of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board   
% Missouri Baptist Convention
400 East High Street  
Jefferson City, MO 65101    
           
Dear Dr. David Tolliver and members of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board:
                               
In order to address the call for greater transparency in dealing with a variety of ongoing moral, ethical, and legal issues at Southwest Baptist University and within the Missouri Baptist Convention, my colleagues and I have designed an online educational forum, known as the Educare Forum.

The Educare Forum, which will initially furnish only private access, provides an outline and summation of these concerns and delineates a pathway to resolution.

Because the Missouri Baptist Convention affirms a controlling interest in Southwest Baptist University, we look to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board to oversee, execute, and enforce any necessary and judicious disciplinary action against those who have perpetrated these injuries and injustices.

 
As previously stated, my concerns involve the harm done to me, my family, and my friends by the employees, administrative and governing officials, and supporters of Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention, who willfully aided, abetted, counseled, and induced the commission of acts resulting in: 
•    slander, defamation and the malevolent and formulated provocation of hostility, ill-will, and hatred;
•    sexual harassment, molestation, humiliation, and discrimination; 
•    physical injury, intimidation, and abuse;
•    multiple instances of actual and threatened retaliation;
•    the fallacious invasion of privacy and violation of confidentiality;
•    forgery or tampering with academic, medical and other records;
•    subornation of perjury and witness tampering;
•    obstruction of justice and abuse of/denial of due process;
•    financial duplicity, extortion, and insurance fraud,
•    and the abuse and negligence of administrative, executive, pastoral, and ministerial functions, privilege and authority.

Additionally, these claims regard the actions of the employees, administrative and governing officials, and supporters of Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention, who permitted, facilitated, encouraged, and rewarded others in: 
•    the deliberate and repeated infliction of physical damage, pain, and suffering;
•    the calculated pattern and practice of the imposition of social, psychological, and spiritual distress, anguish and suffering;
•    the coordinated conspiracy to defraud, slander, and cause physical, financial, or other harm in collaboration with officials of the Southern Baptist Convention, and other church officials (both SBC churches and others),
•    and the ongoing conspiracy to defraud, slander, and cause discriminatory abuse and physical, financial, and other harm based on disability, religious belief, and/or gender in collaboration with local business persons, community members, politicians, and city, county, and state officials.

 
This week, the Educare Forum password and access information will be provided to the current and former pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri – Dr. Ray Leininger, Dr. Rodney Reeves, and Rev. Billy Russell. 

If the pastors and leadership of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri can produce no viable pathway to resolution, on Sunday, May 2, 2010,  the Educare Forum will be opened and extended to the members of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board, the officials of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (which is SBU’s accreditation agency), the officials of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the members of the Southwest Baptist University Student Government Association.

At that time (May 2), I will ask Dr. David Tolliver to distribute the access information to each of the members of the current Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board.

If, by Sunday, May 9, 2010, a clear pathway to resolution is still not evident, my colleagues and I will request that Dr. C. Pat Taylor, several administrators, professors, and staff members, and the entire current Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees resign during the Southwest Baptist University Trustee Meeting to be held on that Monday and Tuesday, May 10 and 11, 2010.

In order to publicly clarify the reasons for this request, an expanded version of the Educare Forum will be opened to the students and the general public on Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Dr. David Tolliver, I ask that you distribute this letter to each member of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board by no later than Wednesday, April 14, 2010. 


It is my purpose to complete this process by Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010, which commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers in Jerusalem, which may be considered the birthday of the Lord's Church.               

This timetable will enable me to relocate in time for the June summer term at my new, out-of-state university and seminary.

It is my prayer that the Grace of God’s Spirit will be reveled within each of us as the Holy Spirit comes along side us as a parakletos -- one who is “summoned, called to one's side” and “called to one's aid,” one who ”pleads another's cause before a judge,” and “an advocate,” one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor.” (Strong's G3875 - parakle-tos).

It is my hope that we, through this process, may evidence in our lives the Incarnation of Christmas, the Resurrection of Easter, and the Power of the Holy Spirit, which is celebrated in Pentecost.

I pray that we, by our lives, may illuminate a clear pathway through the fear, faults, failures, lusts, greed, arrogance, hypocrisy, and willful rebellion that does so easily beset us, that we may irradiate a True Path, not becoming a cause of darkness and stumbling to others.  

May God grant us His Wisdom and Blessing in confronting these issues, and further conforming to the Image of Christ through the Revelation of His Justice, Mercy and Love.

May God grant us His Wisdom and Blessing in confronting these issues, and further conforming to the Image of Christ through the Revelation of His Justice, Mercy and Love.

For, By and Through His Justice, Mercy and Love,


Marie O’Hara

Faxed to: Dr. David Tolliver at the Missouri Baptist Convention, Jefferson City (Wednesday, April 14, 2010 about 1:10 pm)
and
First Church of Bolivar, Missouri (April 14, 2010 about 1:20 pm)
and others.

UPDATE! DAY OF RECKONING ... AND A WAY FORWARD: Letters to Southwest Baptist University's Accreditation Agency, the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Committee, SBC, Others

A joint letter to:

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA, Southwest Baptist University's accreditation agency, here)  

 and the Executive Committee of the Missouri Baptist Convention, which will be meeting this Monday and Tuesday, April 12 - 13 

 and the Southern Baptist Convention.

NOW POSTED AS:

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 about 3:40 pm:

Illuminating the True Pathway and the Day of Reckoning: A Letter to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri  (here)

and, within the next day or so:

The letter to the Pastors (former and current) of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri.

DOCTORAL STUDIES AT SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY: Letter to Pastor Billy Russell (and Others), First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO

Monday, February 22, 2010

From the Desk of Marie O’Hara
Mailing Address                                        

Bolivar, MO  65613

Pastor Billy Russell, Former Pastor Ray Leininger,
      and Former Interim Pastor Rodney Reeves
316 North Main
Bolivar, MO 65613
Office Phone: 417-326-2431   Office Fax: 417-326-4706

Dear Brothers in Christ:

Over the last few years, I feel as though I have earned enough credits to receive a Doctorate -- a PhD in Patience.

It seems, however, as if all of us will be earning some postdoctoral credits in that subject this week.

Honestly, sirs, I would rather spend my time this week completing research (via distance studies in conjunction with my new American university and seminary) for my Doctor of Ministry (DMin) at the University of Wales - Trinity St. David in Lampeter. (see here).

Nonetheless, as stated in my previous, faxed letter of Thursday, February 18, 2010 (here), I have been able to prepare the means of resolving this conflict privately via a combination of telephone facilitation, online communication, and third-party intervention.

Additionally, if mutually desirable or necessary as an alternative or adjunct method, I have, this weekend, made arrangements for legally binding Mediation.

However, today, I was informed of an unavoidable scheduling conflict that will hinder progress for several days.

Therefore, you will receive the initiatory mailing within the next few days – no later, I am told, than the end of this week.

Again, I thank you for your assistance in this matter.


Praying for Patience,


Marie O’Hara

PASTORS' CALL, THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE: Marie's Letter to the Pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO

Thursday, February 18, 2010, FAXED about 10:36 am

From the Desk of Marie O’Hara

Mailing Address
Bolivar, MO  65613

Pastor Billy Russell, Former Pastor Ray Leininger,
      and Former Interim Pastor Rodney Reeves
316 North Main
Bolivar, MO 65613
Office Phone: 417-326-2431   Office Fax: 417-326-4706

Dear Brothers in Christ:

It appears that this situation has become like the unusual weather of late – wild, unruly, not entirely pleasant or safe, and subject to abrupt and unpredictable changes.

Within the next three days, I will be contacting you by mail concerning a new means of resolving this conflict privately via a combination of telephone facilitation, online communication, and third-party intervention.

So as to avoid needless complication and redundancy, during the initial discussion, it would be advantageous, if possible, to work with you three only – Pastor Billy Russell, former Pastor Ray Leininger, and former Interim Pastor Rodney Reeves. 

If you are willing to participate and administer in this process, I will need your affirmation of that intention by noon on Monday, March 1, 2010.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.


Praying for your Wisdom and Integrity,


Marie O’Hara

UPDATE - NEW ARRANGEMENTS for LENTEN JUBILEE?: Ash Wednesday's Choice for the Leadership of First Baptist Church of Bolivar

NEW ARRANGEMENTS for LENTEN JUBILEE?:  

Ash Wednesday's Choice 

for the Leadership of 

First Baptist Church of Bolivar

This Wednesday, which known as Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar, the pastors and leadership of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri, will be given access to an opportunity to intervene in this situation.  

This intervention is NOT an easy way out; it is a challenge, but it is a beneficial challenge, if these individuals are ready and willing to mature and grow in the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Their reception to this initial challenge will determine the viability of this possible resolution.

A response is required within one week -- by 10:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 [Updated to March 1, 2010  (see here)]. 

Additional details will be posted over the next several days and on Ash Wednesday.  

We welcome your prayers. 


Happy Valentine's Day. 

UPDATE:  The First Baptist Church of Bolivar leadership was contacted on the morning of Thursday, February 18, 2010  (see here).

NEXT POST:  MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010