North American Mission Board (NAMB) trustees were called into special session Aug. 11 to determine the fate of the organization’s president, Geoff Hammond.
Hammond, who has been NAMB president since May 2007, is being questioned about staffing decisions, his relationship with the board of trustees and the morale of NAMB employees. This comes after a resolution was passed unanimously by trustees in May that praised and affirmed him for “exemplary, unique leadership and vision.”
At press time, the only agenda item listed for the meeting was Hammond’s future.
The Alabama Baptist will have a full report of what happened during the meeting in next week’s issue. A report immediately following the meeting will be posted on the Web site, www.thealabamabaptist.org.
Originally this discussion was going to take place in the already-scheduled meeting of the executive committee of NAMB trustees.
But according to a NAMB statement, “some of our trustees have expressed concerns about what is to be discussed in the Aug. 11 executive committee meeting and … have requested a specially called meeting.”
Trustee Ellie Ficken, of Montgomery, said at press time that 54 of the 57 trustees were expected to attend. The other three would be on conference call, she said.
Ficken is one of the trustees who asked for the full board meeting.
“We should never be afraid of the truth,” she said. “There should be full disclosure on what is happening.
“It is our understanding that some decisions were going to be made by a select group that affects not only NAMB but the whole convention,” she said. “I thought whatever is said should be brought to the full board.”
Trustee Larry Gipson, pastor of FBC Oneonta, said, “We are praying about it, and … we are trying to do what we feel is right. … Ultimately a decision will have to be reached. All I’m trying to do is listen to particulars and decide what to do overall with this organization.”
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