Missouri Mess, Part 4: The Report

April 16th, 2007 | Posted in » Baptist Issues, In the News...

Okay. So the sanitized version of the investigative committee’s “report” is available. After reading it, I find myself more confused than ever, and more frustrated with this situation than ever, specifically in regard to the dismissal of David Clippard (if you’ll recall, the report was to address a much broader topic than just David).

Check it out for yourself here, and tell me that I’m just nuts and that this whole situation makes perfect sense to you now. Please. I’d rather know I’m crazy than be left wondering whether I’ve lost my mind and just thought I saw half a page devoted to whether David Clippard really put Don Hinkle in a headlock or not. Seriously, that’s in there… at least I think so, assuming I haven’t actually gone mad.

Anyway, best I can tell, from the heavily-edited, devoid-of-details page that relates specifically to David’s dismissal, the main reasons for his dismissal appear to be:

• poor morale amongst MBC staff, attributable to David
• harm to Missouri Baptists’ reputation due to David’s comments and conduct
• that David has been less than forthright with information
• that David has poorly managed the sexual harassment lawsuit brought upon him and the MBC by Carol Kaylor
• that David exhibited a divisive spirit toward the committee

These allegations are interesting, I suppose, but with so few supporting details, we’re still left trying to connect the dots to figure out just why David was fired. You’d think that this group, being made up of Missouri Baptists, would realize that this is the Sho-Me state, and would show us some details. But the details simply aren’t there, and we’re left guessing.

Here’s what I’d put on the list as relevant, were I to venture my guess (although I have no idea to what extent these issues played):

• Don Hinkle’s work at the Pathway, particularly some of his editorials, apparently upsets MBC staff sometimes. David appears to be held to task for his management of Don and the Pathway’s work. (BTW, it appears Don’s job is on the line next, if I’m interpreting page 9 of the report correctly.)
• David’s comments at the 2006 MBC Meeting regarding Islam brought attention to the MBC as a whole, in a rather negative light in secular media. I would presume this is at least part of that referred to by the Missouri Baptists’ reputation bullet.
• The sexual harassment lawsuit and subsequent settlement appear to play a large role in this. Even the sanitized report makes clear that David may have taken action in the case that was not authorized by the Executive Board.

Strangely, I find myself wondering if the secular media reports were really all that far off. Again, though, we’re given almost no details, so at this point, how could anyone tell anyway?

*SIGH*

I do hope more information is forthcoming.