Friday, September 4, 2015

"Dear SBC Family" an open letter from David Platt UPDATED

As a pastor, I always thought feedback was good. David Platt has addressed many of the questions raised and discussed concerning the 600-800 personnel drawdown for IMB.

The full letter is: here.

Executive summary below:


  • Recognizing the depth of the deficit, IMB leadership and staff evaluated multiple options for getting to financial health.
  • "Board policy did not require an official trustee vote" 
  • "There was resolute and resounding recognition" by trustees that such action was "required."
  • On the announcement of such deficits being so large, Platt gave quotes from 2008 forward including this from 2014 (emphasis mine):
Just two months before I stepped into my role, one article read: “IMB must soon come to grips with the demands placed on us by years of declining Cooperative Program receipts and Lottie Moon giving. We will be hard-pressed to continue supporting a mission force of our current number, much less see a greatly needed increase in the number of fully supported career missionaries on the field.”

  •  Previous leaders implemented a plan to gradually draw down mission personnel by using property sales and reserves in order to keep a maximum number of people on the field for the maximum amount of time. That plan was no longer viable.
___________

New FAQs here.

The response to questions and discussions since the original announcement is unprecedented in SBC life, in my memory. 

3 comments:

Kevin said...

Platt was put in a tough situation and I think he has responded well.

I have questions about some of the new strategies he has suggested for moving forward, but I'm keeping an open mind.

ScottShaver said...

With regard to you estimation of Platt "responding well", what do you mean by "well"(apart from announcement of 210 MIL ongoing structural deficit and "VRIs")?

ScottShaver said...

With regard to you estimation of Platt "responding well", what do you mean by "well"(apart from announcement of 210 MIL ongoing structural deficit and "VRIs")?