Midwestern Seminary president resigns amid pressure

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The trustees of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) Friday accepted the resignation of seminary president R. Philip Roberts effective Feb. 29 during a called meeting at an airport hotel.

Robin Hadaway, associate professor of missions at the seminary, was named acting president, accordingto trustee Kevin Shrum of Madison, Tenn., interim chairman of the board who acted as the sole spokesman for the meeting. Former chairman Wayne Lee of Southlake, Texas, resigned but remains a board member, Shrum said.

Roberts was facing questions over misuse of seminary resources and verbal abuse of seminary staff. He was president for 11 years. The resignation was announced in the afternoon by means of a press release after a morning trustee vote to express lack of confidence in the executive committee failed.
–30–
Allen Palmeri is associate editor of The Pathway (www.mbcpathway.com), newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention.