As retired missionaries, 22 years in Southern Africa, we are very concerned about the new trend in missions strategy taken by the International Mission Board (IMB) under the leadership of David Platt.
Our greatest concern is the statement, “no drop off in gospel witness will occur.” How can he be so certain when he has no appointed experience in missions [and] neither do the “business” people he has appointed in the leadership? Removing 800 people from service who have given their lives to reach people for Christ and establish churches and then replacing them with short-term, volunteer, student, retirees and business personnel — especially with them providing their own support — could never do the job of veteran missionaries. These people would be answerable to no one. Forget signing the Baptist Faith and Message. They would effectively be independent missionaries.
Instead of asking the most experienced over 50 to retire why not ask the most recent ones to come back? Do we want the future of Southern Baptist Convention missions to be run by amateurs? Do we think nationals will commit to following anyone who is not committed to them and their culture? Our missions program will get weaker and eventually we will be in constant decline. Keep the experienced people on the field and stop appointing anyone until this is cleared up.
It is my understanding that trustees did not vote on this but the leadership had the final say and action. We are already trusting missions to “amateurs.” Is it too late to do something?
Bob Williamson
Wetumpka, Ala.
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