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Responding to questions by some on Internet blogs about the leadership of Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson, trustees released a statement at their fall meeting that including the following:
“To date, no audit has indicated any financial mismanagement or impropriety.” With annual, independent audits and diligence to ensure financial integrity, Southern Baptists can be assured contributions are “a wise investment in God’s kingdom work,” spent according to the leadership of the Lord and donor requests
The work of administration, faculty, and staff is evaluated at least annually, including the president in the process. “The president has welcomed these opportunities of evaluation, and he hears and respects the counsel of the trustees.”
“We cannot conceive how anyone can be any more open and honest than is Dr. Patterson! Dr. Patterson understands the trustee process and recognizes that he provides leadership to the seminary under the Lordship of Christ by the authority granted to the trustees by the convention.” Trustees serve the SBC under the Lordship of Christ.
“Our Baptist forbearers were wise to set up the trustee system that Southern Baptists have in place. It works extremely well! The relentless attacks on Dr. Patterson are also a subtle attack on the trustee system of oversight that the convention employs.”
With a trustee system available to provide a means of constructive criticism, “We join with other Southern Baptists in urging that public attacks against Dr. Patterson and other leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention that hurt the spread of the gospel to an unbelieving world cease for the sake of those who are headed to utter destruction.” Scripture encourages speaking the truth while advising that it be done in love and gentleness with a redemptive purpose. “Above all, there is a watching world that needs to see Christ’s love in all of our words and deeds.”
Finding Dr. Patterson to be “a man of exemplary integrity,” trustees said they were thankful for his leadership and commended his work as president. “We also look forward to many years of his continued leadership.”
