Missouri Mess, Part 2: Just the Facts

April 11th, 2007 | Posted in » Baptist Issues, In the News...

As I wrote in my last post, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Executive Board voted to fire our Executive Director, David Clippard, during its meeting yesterday.

Today, I’m going to simply summarize the facts we know at this point, and share some links to news articles covering their action. If I’ve missed anything important, or if I’ve misstated anything, PLEASE correct me.

The facts:

• In 2002, David Clippard left his role with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma to serve as the MBC’s Executive Director. The vote by the Executive Board, approving his hire, was 48-2.
• At the December Board meeting, a motion was made by Wesley Hammond to create a committee was to “investigate rumors affecting the character of some of our members which, if true, would render them unworthy of leadership, and cast doubt on our credibility and our integrity as an executive board.” The committee was to consist of five members: the MBC 1st VP, 2nd VP, recording secretary, and two past presidents. The vote to create this committee passed by a margin of 29-19, with 3 abstentions.
• Yesterday, the investigative committee presented their report to the Executive Board. Their recommendation to the Board was to dismiss David Clippard from his role as Executive Director. The vote of the committee was 4-1 in favor of that recommendation.
• Prior to the review of the report by the Executive Board, MBC 2nd VP Jim Cogdill submitted his resignation.
• The Board entered executive session to review the report. After extended deliberations, a secret ballot vote was taken considering the investigative committee’s recommendation. The vote was 44-7 to dismiss David (with 1 abstention).
• David Clippard was barred from the executive session, and was not given an opportunity to address the Board regarding the report.
• Although David was interviewed by the committee in the process of developing the report, it is unclear if he has seen the final report.
• A copy of the report (edited by legal counsel) will be available soon.
• David Tolliver, Associate Executive Director of the MBC, was selected to serve as interim Executive Director. David has served the SBC and MBC in a variety of ways, including serving on the Executive Committee of the SBC, MBC President, and other positions. He is also known as a leader in Project 1000.
• There is currently no timeline specified for the selection of a new Executive Director.
• A joint statement was released by the Executive Board and David Clippard.
• Reporters from Associated Baptist Press and from Word and Way were forced to leave the meeting at various times (aside from periods of executive session). It is unclear as to whether these were the only media asked to leave.
• A meeting is scheduled for April 12th at the Baptist Building in Jefferson City, so that MBC staff can show their appreciation to David.

News Sources:

• Baptist Press, “Mo. Baptist board forms investigating committee”, December 15, 2006
• Baptist Press, “Report precedes Mo. exec’s dismissal”, April 11, 2007
• Missouri Baptist Pathway, “Missouri board dismisses Clippard as exec”
• Missouri Baptist Pathway, “MBC Executive Board issues official statement”
• Missouri Baptist Pathway, “Board elevates Tolliver to interim executive director”
• Associated Baptist Press, “Clippard, embattled Missouri Baptist exec, fired in closed-door session”, April 10, 2007
• Word and Way, “MBC’s Clippard fired in closed-door session”