Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), resigned April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago.
His resignation came following nearly two months of controversy that surfaced when an exposé on NAMB’s accomplishments and Reccord’s leadership was published by The Christian Index newspaper.
“I regret that events of recent weeks have created an environment which makes it difficult to lead the organization and to stay on mission,” Reccord told nearly 200 staff members at NAMB’s Atlanta-area offices as he read his resignation letter.
Alabama pastor Barry Holcomb, NAMB trustee chairman, said, “I think Dr. Reccord made an honorable decision today that truly puts Kingdom work and NAMB first.
“He had to conclude what God was leading him to do,” said Holcomb, pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Andalusia, in Covington Baptist Association.
Allegations in the February Index report included a lack of consistent evangelism strategy, a loss of momentum in church-planting efforts and a drop in NAMB cash reserves from $55 million to $23 million. Questions were also raised about Reccord’s activities as president, some deemed a conflict of interest.
The NAMB trustees responded six weeks later with explanations to each area called into question. The trustees also placed several sets of “Executive Level controls” on Reccord. From there, it was reported that Reccord sought advice and direction from a group of prominent Southern Baptist pastors April 13.
Holcomb said Reccord contacted him April 14 about his decision and they spent Easter weekend working out the details for the April 17 announcement.
“Bob was out of the box in his thinking and very entrepreneurial, and that sometimes conflicts with denominational life,” Holcomb said. “Our focus will be more clearly focused on the basics of sending and funding missionaries, doing evangelism and planting churches.”
Reccord announced no future plans but said he has been contacted about several possibilities.
Holcomb also said Reccord will serve as a liaison between NAMB and Promise Keepers as he speaks at 19 Promise Keepers events across the country from June through October. “NAMB and Promise Keepers entered into an agreement earlier this year,” Holcomb said.
Reccord was the first president of NAMB, which was formed in 1997 as part of a restructuring of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and included remnants from three SBC agencies — the Home Mission Board, Radio and Television Commission and Brotherhood Commission. Reccord led the implementation task force that oversaw the SBC restructuring.
Reccord said he made the decision to resign with “mixed emotions.”
“I am thankful for the countless numbers of people we have seen come to Christ and the thousands of churches we have seen planted and nurtured,” he said. “On the other hand, I regret we were not able to complete a number of things we have started or dreamed about.
“I believe that honest philosophical and methodological differences have brought us to this point of separate directions.”
He added that he hopes he has “demonstrated my love for and commitment to Southern Baptists and all for which we stand.”
Holcomb also spoke to the NAMB employees, acknowledging Reccord’s accomplishments, integrity and visionary leadership style.
He said Reccord had “sought to provide leadership that was both consistent and visionary,” and he emphasized that neither a special focused financial audit nor an investigation by the trustees themselves revealed “evidence that Dr. Reccord had done anything unethical in his role as president.”
“I believe that important fact has been lost in all the conversation and articles written about the report. Dr. Reccord’s integrity is strong and solid today, and I want to emphasize it clearly,” Holcomb said.
“Contrary to some opinions, Dr. Reccord is in no way being asked to resign, let alone forced to resign. He is taking this step for what he feels is best for Christ’s Kingdom.”
Holcomb announced NAMB’s trustees will consider naming an interim president at their upcoming May 2 meeting as well as begin the search process for a new president.
In the meantime, Carlos Ferrer, NAMB’s chief financial officer, who was named as the interim chief operating officer earlier in April, will assume all executive responsibilities, Holcomb said. “Carlos is a man of great giftedness and integrity, and he will provide outstanding leadership during this time.”
Ferrer, a native of Cuba, joined the former Home Mission Board in 1992 as controller.
Reccord was senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., from 1992 until his selection as NAMB’s president. Earlier he had served as senior pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Brandon, Fla.
From 1980 to 1984, he was director of sales and marketing for Detroit-based Chemetco Inc. He also is a former director of leadership training for Evangelism Explosion International. (TAB, BP, ABP)
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