From here
On October 18, 2007, California IMB trustee Jerry Corbaley sent a one hundred and fifty three page letter, via email, to all International Mission Board trustees….
Mr. Corbaley requested in his email that the trustees of the International Mission Board take official ‘action’ against me at the Springfield, Illinois trustee meeting in two weeks. Jerry did not contact me privately before sending the email. However, I called Jerry as soon as I received it. He informed me over the phone that unless I was calling to confess to him my repentance before God, he would not talk with me. He then proceeded to hang up while I was in mid-sentence.
Attempts at building a relationship with Mr. Corbaley have been continually rebuffed for the past eighteen months, including the May 2006 Albuquerque, New Mexico commisioning service where, with my wife at my side, I expressed my love for Jerry and a desire to build a relationship with him. He informed me that we could not have a relationship because of my ’sin.’ I approached Mr. Corbaley again in July of this year while he was eating in the cafeteria of the International Learning Center outside Richmond. I sat down beside him to visit with him, but he refused to converse with me. He got up from the table and told me if I followed him he would make it a public issue.
After reading Mr. Corbaley’s email, I am frankly at a loss. Jerry seems to think I should be responsible for the comments people make on my blog. I keep an open, unmoderated comment section and am not responsible for what others write. I take full responsibility for what I write, and I hope every person in the Southern Baptist Convention reads it again – and again – and again. With the help of some who don’t understand how relate to people who disagree, that just may happen.
I could let it go, but the pattern has been established in the past that some will make reckless character charges in an attempt to convince people of their conclusions, the logic of which is beyond my comprehension. I have chosen not to defend myself. I am more than happy for every Southern Baptist to read what I have written on my blog and what I have written is my defense. I have not deleted one post. I write for Southern Baptists, and everything I post is with a desire to make our convention better, to advance the kingdom of Christ and to treat all people, especially those who disagree, with respect.
I wish this kind of thing was shocking, sadly, its becoming par for the course. Also, 153 email pages!?!?! Sounds like someone needs to spend more time working, or more time with their family.
9 Comments(+Add)
“Sounds like someone needs to spend more time working, or more time with their family”
Follow your own advice. The only way you couls say less is to keep typing.
So Tim, what exactly was the issue between them?
Rick,
If you can stomach it, you can go read what the guy “had to say.” Honestly, he may be on meds. Severe meds, maybe he knows TJ
An i correct in understanding the issue is over some missionaries becoming charismatic and the battle over what the IBM should do about it? And also a “should we blog” issue?
By the way, a guy who writes a 150 page letter is delusional. The Apostle Paul only wrote about 100 pages combined.
And I thought I was somewhat wordy, I feel much better.
The original issue with Wade was about private prayer langquages. The bigger issue is the the SBC boards need to feel like it is in control. THis is why I shudder whenever anyone asks me who I’m affiliated with….rrrr
Rick,
I couldn’t care less what their issue is. There’s never a cause to act like that if you’re going to be calling yourself Christian.
Chris P,
You just hate me cause you ain’t me.
Chris P.,
Why the petty insults? Does Jesus really want us to be jerks?
My favourite comment over at Wade’s blog was this:
“NEVER ‘rassle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”
That probably applies to some of the caustic commenters who drop by here now and then, as well.