[1]JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP)–After more than six hours of discussion in executive session Sept. 22, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Executive Board affirmed the MBC’s executive director, the chairman of the nominating committee and the works of that committee and all other MBC committees.
The affirmations come after speculative reports in the media and e-mails circulating around Missouri prior to the meeting that conservatives in the MBC are divided over the future of MBC Executive Director David Clippard and that a vote to dismiss him was possible. One association, Fellowship Baptist Association, went so far at its fall meeting as to issue a resolution affirming Clippard amid the circulating rumors.
Such speculation proved untrue. The discussion did not center on Clippard’s dismissal and no motions or votes to dismiss were taken. Instead, the executive board affirmed Clippard, calling him “God’s man to be our executive director” and going on to say that “we rejoice in all that unifies us to the glory of God.”
The executive board also affirmed Roger Moran, the acknowledged leader of the conservative resurgence in the state and his work as chairman of the MBC’s nominating committee. It is the nominating committee that recommends people to fill slots on the convention’s various board agencies and committees. The board went on to affirm the works of “all Missouri Baptist Convention committees this year.”
The meeting was presided over by MBC President Ralph Sawyer, pastor or First Baptist Church in Wentzville, Mo., and was attended by 46 of the board’s 53 members. Also in attendance were five invited ex-presidents of the convention: Monte Shinkle, pastor, Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City; Kenny Qualls, pastor, First Baptist Church, Arnold; Gary Taylor, pastor, First Baptist Church, O’Fallon; Mitch Jackson, pastor, Miner Baptist Church, Sikeston; and David Tolliver, MBC associate executive director. Two other former presidents, now on the board, were also in attendance: Jay Scribner, recently retired pastor, First Baptist Church, Branson; and Robert Collins, pastor, Plaza Heights Baptist Church, Blue Springs.
Six board members were not in attendance and one seat remains vacant following the resignation of Ken Jones, who recently accepted a pastorate in Virginia.
[2]Following is the press release issued by the MBC Executive Board Sept. 25:
“Upon completion of our special called executive board meeting on Friday, September 22, 2006, the executive board of the Missouri Baptist Convention states that it investigated concerns brought to the executive board. We concluded and decided three things. First, we affirm that Dr. David Clippard is God’s man to be our executive director. Second, we affirm Roger Moran, chairman, and the works of the nominating committee and of all Missouri Baptist Convention committees this year. Third, we rejoice in all that unifies us to the glory of God, i.e. our submission to the Lordship of Christ, our faithfulness to sound Christian doctrine, our commitment to Biblical authority, our support of the Missouri Baptist Convention executive board staff, our appreciation of the conservative resurgence in the Missouri Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention, and our desire to fulfill both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ.”
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