Press Release Details: EMERGENCY MEETING of Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board Regarding Southwest Baptist University Misconduct

Last Update: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 (shortly)

Due to various complications, Marie has been unable to present a proposal to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board at their meeting today and will, instead, proceed with a PRESS RELEASE requesting an EMERGENCY MEETING of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board for the purpose of responsibly dealing with the concerns that were brought forth in her letter of June 30.

Over the next few days, this post will provide a continuous updating of the events surrounding the PRESS RELEASE and the EMERGENCY MEETING.

The Questions to be addressed by the individuals named below will be posted (here).

1. Tuesday, July 15 about 2:00 pm:

REBACCA RANDLES and the
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY LEGAL STAFF

Marie has contacted the Missouri Bar Association and has been assured that -- if the events are as she and other witnesses describe and as the documentation seems to indicate -- the lawyers involved should most definitely be disbarred.

After some discussion, Marie has agreed to write REBECCA RANDLES, attorney and Southwest Baptist University Trustee, to request that she investigate and provide a preliminary accounting during the upcoming EMERGENCY MEETING (which Marie has requested for August 2008) and a fuller accounting during the yearly October 2008 meeting of the entire Missouri Baptist Convention of the behavior of the Southwest Baptist University legal staff.

2. Tuesday, July 15 (about 3:00 pm):

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

Marie is requesting that during the upcoming EMERGENCY MEETING (which Marie has requested for September 2008) of the Missouri Baptist Executive Board and during the yearly October 2008 meeting of the entire Missouri Baptist Convention the following individuals provide an accounting of the behavior of the Southwest Baptist University administration, faculty and staff in this matter:

• Current SBU President C. Pat Taylor

• Previous Interim SBU President Wayne Gott (businessman and current SBU Trustee)

• and previous SBU CEO and President Roy Blunt [wiki here] (also former SBU Trustee; now 7th District Missouri Congressman).

3. Tuesday, July 15 (about 3:30 pm):

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BOLIVAR, MO

Marie is requesting that during the upcoming EMERGENCY MEETING (which Marie has requested for August 2008) of the Missouri Baptist Executive Board and during the yearly October 2008 meeting of the entire Missouri Baptist Convention the following individuals provide an accounting of:

1) the behavior of the Southwest Baptist University administration, faculty and staff (most of whom are or have been members of First Baptist Church of Bolivar) and
2) the behavior of the staff, trustees, deacons and other individuals associated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, First Baptist Church
of Bolivar and other churches in this matter:

• Current Pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar Billy Russell (SBU alumnus and newly-nominated SBU Trustee)

• Interim Pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar Rodney Reeves (SBU alumnus and Dean of the Redford College of Theology and Ministry at Southwest Baptist University)

• and former Pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar Ray Leininger (also SBU adjunct faculty; former SBU Trustee, former member of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board and the Trustee Board of the Word and Way).

4. Thursday, July 17 (later today):

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

5. Thursday, July 17 (later today):

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE

6. Thursday, July 17 (later today):

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY MEDICAL STAFF

7. Thursday, July 17 (later today):

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PHYSICAL PLANT PERSONNEL

8. Thursday, July 17 (later this morning)::

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES

The Questions to be addressed by the above individuals will be posted today.

This post will be continuously updated.

_______________________________________________

A CHOICE:
Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths
_______________________________________________

Marie's request to the Missouri Baptist Executive Board for an EMERGENCY MEETING (described here) of the Executive Board -- for the purpose of initiating its investigation -- will be sent (and posted) today.

However, a second letter to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, who are at the heart of this matter in more ways than anyone can count, will also be sent (and posted).

This second letter will request that the First Baptist Church of Bolivar conduct its own internal investigation, initiated by a Preliminary Agreement to be pledged and witnessed by the FBC-Bolivar Deacon Board on Sunday, August 31, 2008.

This Investigative Committee of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar will report directly to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board at weekly intervals throughout September and October, until the yearly Missouri Baptist Convention meeting at the end of October 2008.

At that time, if the situation is not more fully resolved, the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board will be asked to intervene.

More details to follow ...

_______________________________________________

The NEW SISTER BLOG

Missouri Baptist Heart of Integrity Questions
http://heartofintegrity.blogspot.com/
NOW OPEN
in order to allow more convenient access to the entire

MISSOURI BAPTIST HEART OF INTEGRITY
QUESTIONS:
The Role of the Law at a Christian University
~The Government, the Church, and the Law~
( Sections A, B & C)

_______________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE PENDING: Request for Emergency Meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention Regarding Southwest Baptist University

Due to various complications, Marie has been unable to present a proposal to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board at their meeting today.

Therefore, Marie will be requesting an EMERGENCY MEETING of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board some time before the beginning of the Southwest Baptist University's Fall term for the purpose of responsibly dealing with the concerns that were brought forth in her letter of June 30.

As indicated in her June 30 letter, those concerns include the following:

1. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal of Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members (current and former) for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and potentially criminal conduct.

2. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal of Southwest Baptist University Trustee Board members, administration, faculty, legal and medical personnel and other employees for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and possibly criminal conduct – a portion of which has been publicly confessed.

3. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or censure against the First Baptist Church of Bolivar for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and potentially criminal conduct in collaboration with Southwest Baptist University.

4. The formal complaint to The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools against both Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention for numerous violations of the Higher Learning Commission's Criteria for Accreditation.

The PRESS RELEASE requesting this EMERGENCY MEETING are being posted here.

_______________________________

A CHOICE:
Alternative Histories and Divergent Paths

_______________________________________________

Marie's request to the Missouri Baptist Executive Board for an EMERGENCY MEETING (described here) of the Executive Board -- for the purpose of initiating its investigation -- will be sent (and posted) today.

However, a second letter to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, who are at the heart of this matter in more ways than anyone can count, will also be sent (and posted).

This second letter will request that the First Baptist Church of Bolivar conduct its own internal investigation, initiated by a Preliminary Agreement to be pledged and witnessed by the FBC-Bolivar Deacon Board on Sunday, August 31, 2008.

This Investigative Committee of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar will report directly to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board at weekly intervals throughout September and October, until the yearly Missouri Baptist Convention meeting at the end of October 2008.

At that time, if the situation is not more fully resolved, the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board will be asked to intervene.

_______________________________________________

The NEW SISTER BLOG

Missouri Baptist Heart of Integrity Questions
http://heartofintegrity.blogspot.com/
NOW OPEN
in order to allow more convenient access to the entire

MISSOURI BAPTIST HEART OF INTEGRITY
QUESTIONS:
The Role of the Law at a Christian University
~The Government, the Church, and the Law~
( Sections A, B & C)

_______________________________________________

Nomination of Billy Russell, Pastor of FBC-Bolivar, to Southwest Baptist University's Board of Trustess Offers Complications, Obstacles to Proposal

The Missouri Baptist Convention
Executive Board (here)
is meeting today Monday and Tuesday
(July 14 - 15)
at Hannibal-LaGrange College,
the sister college of
Southwest Baptist University,
which is also
"owned and operated by"
the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Marie was to present a formal letter to the
Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board
during this meeting.

However, the nomination of Billy Russell,
the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar,
to the Board of Trustees
of Southwest Baptist University
has offered complications and obstacles
to Marie's Proposal to the
Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board.

Marie is making adjustments
and we will be posting details later today (Tuesday).

~~~~*~~~~

Nominees for
Southwest Baptist University
Board of Trustees

Source: Missouri Baptist Convention Pathway article

David Mason,
minister, Green Valley Baptist Church, St. Joseph,
recommended again;

Larry Payton,
laity, Parkview Baptist Church, Tulsa, Okla.,
recommended again;

Donald Jump,
laity, First Baptist Church, Bolivar;

Billy Russell,
minister, First Baptist Church, Bolivar,
new recommendation;

Jim Evans,
laity, First Baptist Church, Blue Springs,
new recommendation;

Neil Franks,
minister, First Baptist Church, Branson,
filling unexpired term.


~~~~*~~~~

Posting details (here) and (here).

Please Download - How Restorative Are Southwest Baptist University, the Missouri Baptist Convention and the First Baptist Church of Bolivar?

Restorative Justice Consortium

Statement Of
Restorative Justice
Principles
As applied in a school
setting
2nd Edition, 2005

Download (here) pdf.

Restorative practices are underpinned
by a set of values, these include:
Empowerment, Honesty,
Respect, Engagement, Voluntarism,
Healing, Restoration, Personal Accountability,
Inclusiveness,
Collaboration, and Problem-solving.

How Restorative Are Southwest Baptist University,
. . . and the Missouri Baptist Convention,
. . . and First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri?

Beginning TODAY (July 12) ...
and throughout this week --

A series of posts specifically for the
Missouri Baptist Convention
Executive Board (here) meeting,
which convenes this Monday and Tuesday
(July 14-15)
at Hannibal-LaGrange College,
the sister college of
Southwest Baptist University,
which is also
"owned and operated by"
the Missouri Baptist Convention.

~*~

 "And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free." (Jn 8:32)

Update on the Remaining Four Letters to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board

Letter One (here).

The Second, Third and Fourth Letters

The Second, Third and Fourth of Five Letters (see details here) to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board are being posted on the PRIVATE BLOG.

This will allow the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members (here) access to the information before and during their July 14 - 15 meeting.

In addition, however, substantial portions of these three letters will be posted publicly on this site shortly.

The Fifth Letter

Marie's formal complaint to the The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools against both Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention for numerous violations of the Higher Learning Commission's Criteria for Accreditation -- which is included in the Fifth letter -- cannot be held in confidence, as was done in years past, but must now be made part of the "public record."

Therefore, this letter will be posted in its entirety on this site shortly.

Communication Moderator

Marie is making arrangements for a "Communication Moderator."

More details and posts later today.

The Complete Listing of the 2007-2008 Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board and Officers

In an addendum to the printed copy of the
First of Five Letters (here)
addressed to
MBC Interim Executive Director David Tolliver,
Marie requested that
Dr. Tolliver make a copy of the first letter
available to each individual member
of the current
Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board.


The names and contact information for each of the
2007-08 Executive Board
officers and members follows:


2007-2008 Missouri Baptist Convention
Executive Board
Officers


President of the Missouri Baptist Convention
And Chairman of the Board
Dr. Gerald Davidson (Verlena)
2919 West Springview Dr., Imperial, MO 63052
Home: 636-296-6936
Email: thedavidsons@yahoo.com

*
First Vice President and
First Vice Chairman of the Board
Dr. Bruce McCoy (Cindy)
5409 Baumgartner Road, St. Louis, MO 63129
Office: 314-487-1730; Home: 314-487-0821
Email: Bmccoy@CanaanBaptistStL.org

*
Second Vice President and
Second Vice Chairman of the Board
Dr. John Marshall (Ruth)
3116 E. Impala Court, Springfield, MO 65804
Office: 417-887-3111; Home: 417-890-1975
Email: John316@secondbaptist.org

*
Recording Secretary and Secretary of the Board
Rev. Chadd Pendergraft (Chasity)
3670 Splitlog Rd., Goodman, MO 64843
Office: 417-364-7458; Home: 417-364-7984
Email: pastor@splitlogbaptist.org

Executive Board Members
Term Expiring 2008


Becky Almond (L) (Central) (Justin)
402 Renee Dr., Ashland, MO 65010
Cell Phone: 573-645-0992
Email: beckyalmond@yahoo.com


Kirk Baker (M) (West Central) (Kristi)
PO Box 66., Lawson, MO 64062
Office: 816-296-7002; Home: 660-352-7464
Email: pasatorKirk@Lawsonbaptist.org


James Bone (L) (East Central) (Dolores)
5219 Roth Drive, Imperial, MO 63052
Home: 636-464-2321
Email: jrbone1@juno.com


Monty Dunn (M) (Southwest) (Marilyn)
819 Highlands Dr., Spokane, MO 65754
Office: 417-581-7511 x-266; Home: 417-443-7016
Email: coramdeo@peoplepc.com


James Freeman (L) (West Central) (Suzanne)
624 NE Twin Brook Drive, Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Office: 816-842-6100; Home: 816-524-1630
Email: jffreeman@worldnet.att.net


Edward Hamilton (M) (South Central) (LaMoine)
1111 Augusta, Houston, MO 65483
Home: 417-967-2686
Email: edla@train.missouri.org


James McCullen (M) (Southeast) (Christa)
116 Magnolia, Piedmont, MO 63957
Office: 573-223-4423; Home: 573-223-3725
Email: drjim@preachhim.org


Darrell Payne (L) (Central) (Carol)
33125 Hwy U, Sedalia, MO 65301
Home: 660-826-8933
Email: payned@groupsurf.net


Jeff Purvis (M) (East Central) (Lucy)
966 Falcon Drive, Imperial, MO 63052
Office: 314-567-6007; Home: 636-464-2106
Email: jlnmj@sbcglobal.net


Jay Scribner (M) (Southwest) (Kay)
488 River Drive, Branson, MO 65616
Office: 417-294-2545; Home: 417-334-6267
Email: jay@hereshopeamerica.com


Jody Shelenhamer (L) (Southwest) (Robin)
PO Box 411, Bolivar, MO 65613
Office: 417-777-6245; Home: 417-326-4477
Email: shelenhamer@alltel.net


David Updegrave (M) (West Central) (Paula)
PO Box 316, Wellington, MO 64097
Office: 816-934-2560; Home: 816-934-2493
Email: pastordavid@embarqmail.com


Gordon Voss (L) (East Central) (Judy)
10420 Pike 331, Middletown, MO 63359
Office: 573-470-1547; Home: 573-669-5200
Email: glvoss@windstream.net


Aaron Weibel (M) (Southwest) (Cindy)
PO Box 731, Monett, MO 65708
Office: 417-235-6135
Email: awnewsite@mo-net.com


Term Expiring 2009

Jeff Anderson (M) (Northeast) (Betty)
4605 West Ely Rd., Hannibal, MO 63401
Office: 573-221-1404; Home: 573-231-0646
Email: janderson@cbchannibal.com


Vic Borden (M) (West Central) (Pam)
405 N. Madison, Raymore, MO 64083
Office: 816-761-1194; Home: 816-322-1842
Email: vicborden@msn.com


Jesse Cass (M) (Northwest) (Carol)
23887 Cedar Ave., Coffey, MO 64636
Office: 660-359-1281; Home: 660-533-4702
Email: brojesse@northmo.net


Robert D. Collins (M) (West Central) (Linda)
1500 SW Clark Rd., Blue Springs, MO 64015
Office: 816-229-4077; Home: 816-228-3469
Email: rcollins@plazaheights.org


Roy Dameron (L) (Central) (Irene)
111 Terra Bella, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Home: 573-893-5280
Email: irquincy@socket.net


Larry Fackler (M) (Central) (Mary Ann)
14474 Smith Creek Rd., Versailles, MO 65084
Office: 573-378-5420; Home: 573-378-6066
Email: larryfackler@hotmail.com


Bill Johnson (M) (Central) (Joanne)
10475 Hwy 52, Versailles, MO 65084
Office: 573-378-4798; Home: 573-378-5713
Email: drbilljohnson@yahoo.com


Tom Johnson (M) (Southeast) (Christy)
1540 Madison 530, Fredericktown, MO 63645
Office: 573-783-6322; Home: 573-783-8799
Email: PastorTom1999@Yahoo.com


Marshall Link (M) (Southeast) (Lois)
9505 County Road 250, Puxico, MO 63960
Office: 573-686-1115; Home: 573-222-9954
Email: ccsbadom@imsinternet.net


Denny Marr (M) (Southwest) (Dorothy)
PO Box 421, Republic, MO 65738
Office: 417-732-1405 ext. 202; Home: 417-732-1310
Email: dennymarr@sbcglobal.net


Mark McMullin (M) (Southeast) (Susie)
519 North 3rd St., Piedmont, MO 63957
Office: 573-223-7322; Home: 573-223-7066
Email: fbcpastormark34@windstream.net


Terry Moots (L) (South Central) (Shirley)
1910 Donna Circle, Lebanon, MO 65536
Office: 417-588-1320; Home 417-532-5213
Email: tmoots@webound.com


Justin Nelson (M) (Southwest) (Wendy)
7276 W. Farm Road 136, Springfield, MO 65802
Office: 417-832-9048; Home: 417-832-9048
Email: justandwend@aol.com


Kim Petty (L) (West Central) (John)
302 Hillcrest Drive, Smithville, MO 64089
Home: 816-532-0387
Email: kpetty6@peoplepc.com


Ralph Sawyer (M) (East Central) (Sherri)
653 N. Business Hwy 61, Wentzville, MO 63385
Office: 636-327-8696; Home: 636-639-1130
Email: ralph.sawyer@fbcwentzville.com


Guy Thomas (M) (Northwest) (Kathy)
702 N. Broadway, Princeton, MO 64673
Office: 660-748-3116; Home: 660-748-4680
Email: fbcp@grm.net


Ron Turnbull (L) (Northeast) (Yvonne)
6294 Hwy 54, Curryville, MO 63339
Office: 573-324-3948; Home: 573-324-5437
Email: turnbull@daffron.net

Jim Wells (M) (Southwest) (Judy)
3107 N. 30th St., Ozark, MO 65721
Office: 417-725-8825; Home: 417-581-9148
Email: tricountydom@yahoo.com


Term Expiring 2010


Larry Atkins (M) (South Central) (Jane Ann)
PO Box 98, Laquey, MO 65534
Phone: 573-765-3698
Email: atkins@advertisnet.com


Doug Austin (L) (Southeast) (Fran)
758 Woodbine Place, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Home: 573-335-9209
Email: ldaustin1@charter.net


Steven Betts (L) (South Central) (Margene)
22951 Hwy. 63 South, Rolla, MO 65401
Home: 573-435-0777
Email: sbettsmshp@yahoo.com


Doug Bradley (M) (West Central) (Judy)
7905 E. 134th Terr., Grandview, MO 64030
Office: 816-763-2200
Email: pastorfbcgv@sbcglobal.net


Alice Chastain (L) (West Central) (Ray)
4286 SE Hazelview Rd., Kingston, MO 64650
Office: None; Home: 660-255-4488
Email: chastain@greenhills.net


Donald Denney (L) (East Central) (Dorene)
16591 Clayton Road, Ballwin, MO 63011
Office: 636-458-3885; Home: 636-458-4762
Email: ssteach@hotmail.com


Doug Ervin (L) (West Central)
PO Box 461, Kearney, MO 64060
Office: 816-564-3062; Home: 816-628-4311
Email: dervin@uniteone.net


Marty Finch (L) (East Central)
80 Neighbors Dr., Foley, MO 63347
Office: 636-368-2798; Home: 636-566-6551
Email: finchbuilders@yahoo.com


Richard Francis (L) (East Central) (Debra)
417 Cedar Oak Court, St. Peters, MO 63376
Work: 314-267-8705; Home: 636-240-7873
Email: rndfrancis@charter.net


Wesley Hammond (M) (Northeast) (Diana)
PO Box 89, Paris, MO 65275
Office: 660-327-4405; Home: 660-327-5381
Email: wesleyh@parismo.net


Wayne Karrick (L) (Southwest) (Elaine)
RR 1, Box 1832, Seligman, MO 65745
Office: 417-662-3863; Home: 417-662-3449
Email: None


Michael Knight (M) (Southeast) (Kim)
PO Box 585, Viburnum, MO 65566
Office: 573-244-5667; Home: 573-244-5565
Email: knight@misn.com


Kerry Messer (L) (East Central) (Lynn)
PO Box 1288, Festus, MO 63028
Office: 314-971-2477; Home: 573-483-2007
Email: mofamnet@ldd.net


Rebecca Nance (L) (Northwest) (Earl)
413 W. 10th, Trenton, MO 64683
Home: 660-359-3467
Email: ernance@gem.net


Harvey Parker (L) (Northwest) (Jean)
2626 Ashland Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506
Home: 816-233-0442
Email: hlandjgp@stjoelive.com


Phil Rector (M) (Central) (Gail)
4300 Hwy. B, Bland, MO 6014
Office: 573-646-3454; Home: 573-646-3454
Email: p.w.rector@fmail.com


Don Rice (M) (Southwest) (Ruth)
PO Box 23, Hume, MO 64752
Home: 660-643-7137
Email: dandrrice@hotmail.com


Lynne Woods (L) (Northeast)
14924 Pike 276, Louisiana, MO 63353
Office: 573-324-9975, x-3901; Home: 573-754-5444
Email: lbwoods@bigriver.net


Please Note: This information is available
in full from the
Missouri Baptist Convention Website

Bunny Watch is Over! The Posted Text of Marie's June 30 Letter (the First of Five) to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board and Officers

(Slightly modified for web presentation)

This letter was faxed (and sent by mail) to the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention (% Interim MBC Executive Director David Tolliver) on Monday, June 30.

A copy of this correspondence was also faxed (and sent by mail) on June 30, 2008 to the current MBC Executive Board officers:

Gerald Davidson, Missouri Baptist Convention president;
Bruce McCoy, MBC first vice president,
John Marshall, MBC second vice president
and Chadd Pendergraft, MBC recording secretary
% Pastor John Marshall Second Baptist Church
3111 East Battlefield Rd.
Springfield, MO 65894
Fax: (417)-887-2131

A copy of this correspondence was also faxed on June 30, 2008 to the staff of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri:

Pastor Billy Russell,
Former Pastor Ray Leininger
and the Staff, Trustees and Deacon Board
of First Baptist Church of Bolivar
316 North Main Street
Bolivar, MO 65613
Fax: (417)-326-4706


A printed copy of this correspondence -- with a private, accompanying letter -- will also sent by mail to the staff and congregation of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.


_________________________________________________



Monday, June 30, 2008

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

The Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention
% David Tolliver (Interim MBC Executive Director)
Baptist Building
400 High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Fax: (573)-635-0904

Dear Dr. David Tolliver:

This is to inform you that over the next two weeks you will be receiving – through your Jefferson City office – both a faxed copy and a printed copy of four letters directed to the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention and the current elected officers of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

These letters will address four issues:

1. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal of Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members (current and former) for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and potentially criminal conduct.

2. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal of Southwest Baptist University Trustee Board members, administration, faculty, legal and medical personnel and other employees for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and possibly criminal conduct – a portion of which has been publicly confessed.

3. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or censure against the First Baptist Church of Bolivar for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and potentially criminal conduct in collaboration with Southwest Baptist University.

4. A brief letter accompanying a copy of my formal complaint to The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools against both Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention for numerous violations of the Higher Learning Commission's Criteria for Accreditation.

I request that you make a copy (either electronic or printed) of each of these four letters available to each member of the current MBC Executive Board and each of the officers in advance of the July 14-15 meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board.

Over the next two months, I will be attempting to mediate these situations by means of a Restorative Justice process involving the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.

Nonetheless, it is imperative that the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members and officers shoulder their share of the burden and responsibility in dealing with Southwest Baptist University, an agency for which the Missouri Baptist Convention claims ownership.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

The Lord grant you wisdom, peace and integrity.

Sincerely in Christ,

Marie O’Hara

Defining Love: Do You Still Love Southwest Baptist University?

A Letter to Friends from Marie O'Hara

Dear Friends:

A friend asked has asked me (rather forcibly):

Do you still love SBU [Southwest Baptist University]? How can you possibly love them after all that they have done (and are doing) to you?!

I didn't have the opportunity to answer then, but I would like to do so now by relating an incident that occurred this afternoon.

While I was praying, a curious thought crossed my mind: Must love, in the hearts and hands of Christians, be so pathetic?

"Pathetic?" I thought to myself. "Unfortunately, that's probably disturbingly true."

But as the question resurfaced several times, I was drawn to investigate the meaning of this word "pathetic" at Dictionary.com Unabridged :

PATHETIC -- adjective (reference here)

[Origin: 1590–1600; <>pathéticus <>pathétikós sensitive equiv. to pathét(ós) made or liable to suffer (verbid of páschein to suffer + -ikos]

1. causing or evoking pity, sympathetic sadness, sorrow, etc.; pitiful; pitiable: a pathetic letter; a pathetic sight.

2. affecting or moving the feelings.

3. pertaining to or caused by the feelings.

4. miserably or contemptibly inadequate: In return for our investment we get a pathetic three percent interest.

"Aha, a Greek-rooted word, " I thought. "My favorite!"

As I reviewed each of these four meaning in turn, I realized how aptly these definitions fit most demonstrations of "Christian love" that I have seen within the Christian community.

Such love, sadly is based solely on emotion -- or as the Greek word root indicates sensitivity (Gk pathétikós - sensitive).

Browsing through the associated words, I came across a reference to a another Greek-based word: EMPATHY.

A related word in meaning, yes, but not from the same word root.

I clicked over to the definition of EMPATHY:

EMPATHY - noun (reference here)

[Origin: 1900-05; from Gk empatheia affection, equiv. to em- em-2 + path- (base of paschein to suffer) + -eia -ia; present meaning translates G Einfuhlung]

1. the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.

2. the imaginative ascribing to an object, as a natural object or work of art, feelings or attitudes present in oneself: By means of empathy, a great painting becomes a mirror of the self.

Yes, not the same root at all. EMPATHY is formed from the word root for affection (Gk empátheia), not merely emotion or sensitivity, but affinity, affection and intellectual identification.

A brief mention at the end of the EMPATHY entry advised that I look into another Greek-rooted word:

-- Synonyms 1. See SYMPATHY.

And so, I did:

SYMPATHY -- noun (reference here)

[Origin: 1500-70; from L sympathia from Gk sympatheia, equiv. to sympathe-, s. of sympaths sympathethetic (sym- sym- + path(os) suffering, sensation + -es adj. suffix) + -ia -y3]

1. harmony of or agreement in feeling, as between persons or on the part of one person with respect to another.

2. the harmony of feeling naturally existing between persons of like tastes or opinion or of congenial dispositions.

3. the fact or power of sharing the feelings of another, esp. in sorrow or trouble; fellow feeling, compassion, or commiseration.

4. sympathies,
a. feelings or impulses of compassion.
b. feelings of favor, support, or loyalty: It's hard to tell where your sympathies lie.

5. favorable or approving accord; favor or approval: He viewed the plan with sympathy and publicly backed it.

6. agreement, consonance, or accord.

7. Psychology. a relationship between persons in which the condition of one induces a parallel or reciprocal condition in another.

8. Physiology. the relation between parts or organs whereby a condition or disorder of one part induces some effect in another.

Ah, and, here we have something altogether different: a love built on SHARED SUFFERING (sym- (same) + páth(os) suffering, sensation).

Do I still love Southwest Baptist University?

Yes, I do.

My love is not derived only from emotion, affection or intellectual identification, but from compassionate sym-pathy.

I suffer with them.

The psychological and physiological definitions of SYMPATHY are particularly instructive and poignant:

7. Psychology. a relationship between persons in which the condition of one induces a parallel or reciprocal condition in another.

8. Physiology. the relation between parts or organs whereby a condition or disorder of one part induces some effect in another.

Southwest Baptist University's sufferings, pains, failings, and misery have been, are and will be -- in a very real sense -- mine.

I am bound to suffer with them, literally and figuratively, whether I choose to or not, which is why the actions that I must undertake over the next month are all the more arduous and grievous.

Those who claim that I act out of vindictiveness, enmity, or anger, judge me falsely and slander me.

I struggle, as I always have, to love them to the best of my imperfect ability as the Lord has commanded us all: I do strive to love them ... as I love myself.