IMB trustee decisions

I read the article “Freedom to dissent” in the Nov. 15 issue and, as I have been following this matter closely, thought I would share the following: 

In a Nov. 9 post on his blog, Wade Burleson revealed the following offer he made to the International Mission Board (IMB) board of trustees prior to the censure recommendation and vote.

Quoting from his blog:
“1) I would, without hesitancy, apologize both publicly and privately to the three men who felt certain of my posts placed them in a poor light, and,
2) I would, from this date forward (November 5, 2007), abide by the ‘new’ trustee guidelines prohibiting dissent, because …
3) I was closing my blog on December 6, 2007, as it related to the IMB and the SBC, choosing to concentrate on personal ministry, and
4) I would step down as a trustee of the International Mission Board before the end of the year, but …
5) I would not apologize for any violation of the ‘new’ trustee guidelines regarding public dissent of board approved guidelines and would leave my posts up as a testimony that I stand by the veracity of all I have written.”

His blog further states that he was not told his proposal would be accepted or not and no decision was given to him prior to the trustee executive committee bringing the motion to censure to the full board for a vote.

I know Wade personally and I’m sure his offer was made in the spirit of not damaging the work of the IMB by bringing further division or controversy in the eyes of informed SBC membership.

I encourage The Alabama Baptist readers to refer to the link featured in your article, to go there, to read Rev. Burleson’s position and form their own opinions.

Bob Cleveland
Pelham, Ala.