Midwestern trustees affirm Roberts, Downing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Trustees of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo., met Oct. 15–16 and affirmed seminary President R. Philip Roberts and trustee board chairman Gene Downing, a businessman from Oklahoma City. Roberts and Downing and other trustees had been at odds regarding Roberts’ handling of the seminary’s business and administrative affairs.

The executive board of the trustees met for four hours the morning of Oct. 15, with Roberts joining that meeting for the latter two hours. The full board then convened in closed executive session shortly after 1 p.m. for five hours. Twice the trustees excused Roberts and Downing from their afternoon deliberations. After an opening prayer at their 8 a.m. session Oct. 16, trustees again entered executive session to discuss, among other items of business, a press release drafted by an ad hoc committee of trustees.

The press release stated, in part, “Affirming both the integrity and leadership of seminary President Dr. Phil Roberts, and the leadership of current trustee Chairman Gene Downing, the trustees of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary voted to affirm not only these two leaders, but the overall direction and mission of the seminary. Responding to recent concerns and criticisms made public, trustees rallied to address these concerns and to affirm seminary administrative leadership and the quality assurance processes of the trustees.
“During the Midwestern Seminary trustee meeting of Oct. 15–16, 2007, it was noted that the finances of the school are in good condition. It was also noted that the processes and procedures of the seminary needed to be commensurate with the positive financial condition of the school.”