I’d guess that most reasonably informed Southern Baptists are aware that our North American Mission Board is being sued by a former state convention executive.
Baptist Press reported the suit here and summarized the allegations against NAMB:
– NAMB leaders made “false and libelous” statements about McRaney in 2014-15 as NAMB and the BCMD attempted to work out details of a partnership agreement.
— In late 2015, NAMB posted McRaney’s photo at the welcome desk of its Alpharetta, Ga., headquarters, communicating implicitly “that he was not to be trusted.” The posting, the suit alleges, was “purposely designed to damage [McRaney’s] reputation.”
— NAMB President Kevin Ezell attempted “to interfere” with McRaney’s scheduled speaking appearance at the 2016 Florida Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference.
NAMB’s legal response was reported here. The answers to the allegations in the lawsuit were summarized:
NAMB’s response alledged that he BCMD “became a dysfunctional and difficult ministry partner” during McRaney’s tenure.
NAMB is informed and believes that [McRaney] voluntarily resigned his employment pursuant to some kind of severance agreement.”
NAMB’s response to the lawsuit claimed McRaney “caused the BCMD to violate the terms of the Strategic Partnership Agreement [for evangelism and church planting] and otherwise hindered and interfered with BCMD’s performance of its obligations.” According to the response, “NAMB was entitled” to notify the BCMD it would terminate the partnership “given the facts and circumstances as they existed at the time.”
— “NAMB denie[d] that it published any defamatory statement regarding” McRaney.
— NAMB denied it interfered with McRaney’s speaking engagements after he left the BCMD.
— NAMB acknowledged it “situated” a photo of McRaney “in the reception area at NAMB’s office in Alpharetta [Ga.] during some period of time.” But it denied McRaney’s claim the photo “has caused additional damage” to him.
— NAMB denied that McRaney is “entitled to any relief whatsoever in this action.”
NAMB claimed McRaney “seeks to unfairly enrich himself” in filing suit and alleged he “demanded in a letter to NAMB that it pay him … $7.7 million in damages.”
BP gave the additional information that,
NAMB told BP in a statement, “After [McRaney] rejected or ignored several offers to meet and discuss these matters biblically, we regret that Dr. McRaney has chosen to involve the courts, however, since he has chosen this venue, we will be good stewards of NAMB’s resources and defend the case vigorously.”
There’s not much new in the court filings that wasn’t alleged by the plaintiff, who is a frequent blogger and commenter, and denied by NAMB in earlier statements and responses.
This is all sad news. I doubt NAMB will be answering questions related to this while the matter is under litigation and there’s not much that can be discussed here about it. We can all pray for a positive resolution, though.
When a mistreated SBC believer sues a mistreating SBC entity, who wins? And what is that winning?
I wonder, at times, why any lost person would want to listen to us about Jesus loving the most unlovable when we can’t demonstrate such love among the family.
Q – If you win funds… how do you justify that to a lost person?
A – I was mistreated so I had the legal right to sue and win.
Q – If you don’t win the case… how do you explain that to a lost person?
A – I was mistreated and sued but my God wasn’t interested in justice, this time?
Do we ever tire of fighting for…
1 – Our personal rights?
2 – To be treated fairly?
Maybe it is because we have long ago tired of winning the nations. Both personally and corporately.
I can imagine the party being thrown by the one who gets their way when this thing is settled. I can imagine the lost world, once again, shaking their heads at the SBC in confusion when we talk about love while we pay the lawyers (the ultimate cultural winners).
What money is the NAMB using for legal fees? Are they using the hard earned and sacrificially given CP and Annie Armstrong donations?
Most likely CP funds, because if you do not defend yourself then the one suing you wins by default. In that case, the claimant would be awarded the amount he is seeking (in the millions, I believe.)
As such, if NAMB’s actions were legally defensible, then it is reasonable stewardship to spend tens of thousands to avoid losing millions by default.
If, on the other hand, NAMB was definitely wrong, then they should do what they can to make amends to Dr. McRaney as quickly and expediently as possible.
I think this whole situation is a great illustration of Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians: no outcome here helps the church proclaim the Gospel. Dr. McRaney can be shown right and NAMB wrong, NAMB right and him wrong, both of them wrong, but every bit of energy spent in suing, defending, and wrapping up on this could and should be better spent.
If this lawsuit continues to move forward it will only get worse. I am not sure if a settlement will win the day for the sake of the gospel or open the door for more suits.
I have a love for the Maryland / Delaware convention as I served at one of their churches just prior to seminary. l love, really love Wilmington. If I could afford to retire there I would.
For the sake of the gospel, what is the right thing to do?
I wouldn’t give this guy a dime unless a court ordered me to do so. Employment differences happen all the time. Sometimes there’s even wrong doing involved. That doesn’t entitle a person to 7.7 million dollars.
Wow Nancy! That is a unfair question. They are not the ones that brought the lawsuit. They were forced to defend themselves. Just what do you suggest they do?
Would you be willing to rephrase the question in this way? What money is the NAMB using for legal fees and how can one help.
Nancy: Yes I know.
I think it is a fair question (and I am saying this as one who wishes there were no lawsuit happening).
Speaking now from a secular perspective… McRaney believes he was wronged by NAMB and is justified to file a suit. If there would have been no mistreatment accused of by NAMB the CP funds would not be in jeopardy. If NAMB is guilty (I am not pronouncing any guilt here) and mere men following the laws of the land can prove this in court, the laws of the land dictate the wronged party is compensated by the aggressor.
From a spiritual perspective (as I understand biblical principle), this is a lose – lose situation for God’s church, her mission and our testimony.
The concern that holy gifts intended for Gospel missions will eventually fund legal fees (or damages) is hard to swallow. For every reason this is a sad situation. The lack of transparency among SBC agencies (not just the NAMB) is simply mystifying.
I know Dr. McRaney posted a series of related articles on another site. They were fascinating as far as their insight into the NAMB shift in methodology. But his accusations toward Dr. Ezell and the NAMB are sobering. The whole photo thing just seems childish.
Maybe it’s time the SBC (we) set-up ways to address these type of accusations outside the courts (see I Co. 6:5) to avoid the inevitable “defeat.”
The article is a summary of allegations and responses. There’s no profit in attacking personalities.
NAMB said earlier that “…our offer of biblical resolution and reconciliation still stand[s], as do our continued prayers for Dr. and Mrs. McRaney, their family and his ongoing ministry,”
NAMB would not be a good steward of their CP and AA money if they did not defend the organization against a suit that they did not file.
Is NAMB being a good steward of kingdom funds if they put themselves in a position such as this to be sued?
If NAMB believes they are completely innocent, then they should defend themselves.
BUT… The waters on all of this seem to be murky.
“Our offer of biblical resolution…”
I assume NAMB has, in fact, made a good faith offer to pursue some Christian remedy here, so I don’t mean to comment on *them.* But here’s a comment on *us*:
It is very difficult to find a church or ministry willing to submit themselves to the judgment of other Christians. Some of that is very practical (insurance doesn’t cover it usually). The Peacemakers book sells well, but there are terribly few churches that would actually pay for a process where someone might make a decision against them.
Whether or not this lawsuit is “right,” what did Paul think would happen in these cases? Do any of you know of churches with successful dispute resolution programs?
For the moment, assume the facts Bro. McRaney alleges are *true.* To whom would you direct him to make his case? If Bro. McRaney’s ‘took it to the church,’ and said church ruled in his favor in the amount of even $500, what should happen? Is that the right body? Should the Trustees pay it? Should the Convention ask them to?
If only Scripture spoke of Christians bringing other Christians to court……..
Tyler: I actually have no problem with bringing Christians to court under certain circumstances. There are times when it is necessary to achieve justice for the purpose of making a living if that ability is taken away due to false accusations. But…….that is when all else has failed such as meeting with the offending party and discussing things openly and honestly.
I am having a hard time with this one as I am a lover of missions and missionaries. Having come from a small church background where the missionary is the one who drums up support, it was refreshing to see how the SBC has the IMB and the NAMB to support our missionaries leaving our missionaries free to do what they are called to do, going into other nations, some dangerous at the risk of their lives, because they desire as many as possible to know and come to Christ.
This lawsuit if lost will cause a great deal of damage since the amount being asked by the filer of the lawsuit is very large(something I also have a huge problem with).
I do realize that the NAMB’s mission is here in the United States, but it is a sorely needed missions area providing services to reach people with Christ that could not otherwise be accomplished.
I would think that at this point the North American mission board’s insurance company would be defending them in the lawsuit… And taking up much if not all of the expense to do so (pursuant to the policy details obviously) … That’s what insurance is for.
Should the North American mission board be found liable in court that would be a different matter and I would Think at that point money that would otherwise be used for missions then would be used to pay the settlement.
This whole thing is shameful. Dr. McRaney will likely never make 7.7 million dollars his entire life. How does he figure that NAMB caused him that much damage? 1 Corinthians 6 definitely applies. He is not suing NAMB. He is suing Southern Baptists and should be ashamed of himself. And the blogs that provide him a platform should be equally ashamed.
Well said and I agree Adam.
Strike the last part of my comment. I have no proof that is the reason. I am just so passionate about this lawsuit against the NAMB, which if won could have the dire consequences of setting precedence. Mission organizations should not have to worry about lawsuits more than they are concerned about reaching those for Christ. It would be a just thing to worry about as more lawsuits could happen.
And that should be precedent.
Yes William, these are sad matters indeed. However, God has the power to remake should their be repentance. I have not read comments above, so my comments are to clarify a few items, not to respond to “Comments”. I do want to express my appreciation that the matters are before the SBC and you guys and to thank William for doing so in a straight forward manner. One of my desired outcomes from my recent series of articles on “Is the New NAMB Really Working?” was to stimulate investigation on the results of the current strategies, leadership and their impact on our future as the SBC. I have almost 30 years invested in researching, writing and almost daily dealing with these related matters before our national missions agency.
Another is to bring into the light not only what has happened to me, but the culture which has existed which allows this non-sense to take place before a Holy God. Trusting SBC members freely and sacrificially invest and entrust their resources of money and people to NAMB and other SBC leaders. They deserve better as to our national missionaries.
1. Dave Miller warned of these type of behaviors by Dr. Ezell back in his writings in 2010. I just lived them out. I offered last year on this site to have Dave collect questions, I would answer them. That day or the next the discussions were removed. No one followed up with me on my offer to work with Dave to appropriately communicate on the matters on this site.
2. I was terminated by the BCMD, not “resign or be terminated,” on June 8, 2015, days before the SBC in Columbus, OH. I resigned June 9, 2015 to accept BCMD’s request to release the BCMD’s liability and in order to receive an undetermined severance among other terms. BP has been provided documentation of this fact. Sadly, the BCMD officers provided false and misleading written statements in March 2016. This provided themselves cover and sought to provide Dr. Ezell cover for his secret deal with the BCMD President Warren regarding my removal and accepting the new Partnership Agreement that NAMB desperately wanted. Sadly, there are seen and unseen consequences to this type of behavior as nothing escapes God.
3. Some of the reasons have been revealed, but in time, additional clarity will be brought to bear on why Ezell wanted so desperately to see me removed and did not work with me. He needed all the states to accept the 2014 version of the Partnership Agreement, which really is the NAMB controlled Agreement, with the partnership removed. There are reasons for this that will come to light in time.
4. His claims of “dysfunctional” and difficult should be beneath him, but facts are not in his favor. He decided to ignore all of my six requests, before he lied about it. Any SBC or other leader who would make a $1 million threat against planters, State SBC staff, evangelism ministry and the like for a sister equal-partner state convention based on false accusations demonstrated his character and willingness to deceive others like he has and is doing.
5. The NAMB spokesmen claims they have offered to mediate a settlement and I have refused or not responded are utterly FALSE. BP and other reporters were aware of my offer in an email from me this past week. But, that is just more of the same type of deceptive communication by NAMB representatives. In time, as necessary, I can provide their only two mentions of possibly being open to mediation and my responses. If you have followed my writings or me on video, you probably have heard or read me express my availability numerous times. Great thing about court, these PR tactics to mislead and false statements could come into the light as a part of the punitive damages phase of the legal proceedings. Think about it, some 20 months after my termination and tons of documents provided and NUMEROUS REQUESTS to mediate settlement for the damages, BEFORE the legal complaint was filed. You decide.
6. Has anyone wondered by Dr. Ezell has not spoken to say he did not lie to me and to my BCMD leadership, and he did not interfere in MD around me in secret, and he was not involved with “SITUATING” my picture, and he did not call others to interfere with speaking engagements since then. Draw your own conclusions. In a court, all of our statements and writings will be examined by the court under sworn testimony.
I recognize that each person has their own perspectives, be they informed, misinformed or uninformed. In the midst of your opinions, I would ask you to pray for me, Dr. Ezell and also pray for those NAMB Trustees given charge to oversee NAMB. We have prayed and prayed for revival as a people. May these difficult days spur us as a people to our knees in repentance of our sins against God and each other as necessary. Ministry in God’s name must be reflect God’s character and His commands on how we treat people.
After everything we’ve seen here, I can’t imagine why someone would find McRaney difficult to work with.
If you follow this last comment, Baptist Press has lied, Ezell has lied, multiple NAMB spokesmen have lied, BCMD leadership has lied, and even Dave Miller hasn’t appropriately communicated matters on this site… and somehow suing a missions organization for 7.7 million dollars is an appropriate step. I expect the court to see through all of this as easily as I do.
“God has the power to remake should their be repentance.”
God has the power to remake your soiled reputation by NAMB in all of this, even if you have nothing to repent of in it.
You are, however, making a reputation for suing NAMB. Our powerful God will not leave you nor forsake you but I do not see any honoring of God in suing, even for what you accuse NAMB of.
Let it be His battle… For the sake of the gospel. Separate ourselves from the ways of the world.
Since the matter has been taken by the plaintiff to the secular courts, NAMB is doing their talking in response to the lawsuit with court filings. BP has summarized these as I’ve excerpted above and NAMB has denied the allegations of civil wrongdoing. The plaintiff is making his case publicly and has for some time in many venues, as is his right. If the suit continues he will get a chance to make and prove his case under oath.
As it stands, I believe there is no damage amount stated in the lawsuit but NAMB has noted in their response that the plaintiff “demanded in a letter to NAMB that it pay him … $7.7 million in damages.” As a cooperating and contributing Southern Baptist, I would expect NAMB to make a vigorous defense.
As a Maryland Baptist, I was confused by the whole situation as it unfolded. Much of it did not and still does not make sense to me. Unfortunately, a little peon like myself who just preaches, ministers, and sends money to the BCMD was never in a position to know who was right and who was wrong. I still have the various letters that were sent out regarding Dr. McRaney’s termination, and do not know who was telling the truth and who was not. I will say though that if NAMB had a picture of him in their welcome area communicating implicitly or explicitly “that he was not to be trusted,” it seems childish and mean-spirited.
“I will say though that if NAMB had a picture of him in their welcome area communicating implicitly or explicitly “that he was not to be trusted,” it seems childish and mean-spirited.”
According to statements by Mr. McCraney himself on a facebook video….the photo in question was situated BEHIND the desk (not visible to the public) and the only way he found out about it was that a “friend” who is allegedly on the EXComm (not sure if that is of the Board of Trustees, or the SBC) peered trough a window and snapped a photo of the pic with his smartphone.
99.999999999999% of people would never know about this pic being stationed on the back side of a receptionists desk if McCraney had not made it public…so its really hard to see how is reputation may have been sullied by the act.
Also, to me is possible (likely??) that this was done as a security measure so that the receptionist would know who this man is should he arrive at the building. It seems at least somewhat reasonable given his diatribes and incessant attacks toward Dr. Ezell – that he may be rather obsessed, angry and potentially dangerous. (never know). It may be as simple as that.
Curious why the allegation of NAMB’s interference in Mississippi speaking engagement was left out of the summary since it is presumably the only basis for filing the suit in Mississippi.
No particular reason other than I didn’t excerpt the whole article. NAMB denied the allegation.
Since Mr. McRaney invoked my name, I feel I need to respond.
I am not taking sides in this, but while I’ve not agreed with everything Kevin Ezell has done, I have not found the kind of behavior that Will McRaney mentions.
I was critical of the “bloggers in housecoats” comments that Kevin made during his nomination process, but he apologized and we just let that go. I have had some questions about strategic decisions, but I do not want my name attached to this as if I am supportive of the lawsuit.
I have spoken to people from the M/D convention, and some of them paint a different picture of McRaney’s tenure than he does. That’s normal, I guess.
Here is my suggestion. We have had a lot of people log in with comments that make it clear that they have already rendered judgment. The fact is, I don’t know the facts, you don’t know the facts – NONE of us really has all the facts. Since McRaney has chosen to sue (something I believe is contrary to Scripture) the legal authorities will decide the merits of the case – based not on truth but on legal issues.
But just because you don’t like Ezell doesn’t make Mr. McRaney RIGHT. Just because you love Ezell doesn’t make McRaney WRONG. Facts is Facts is Facts. Maybe we could all wait for the facts to come out and stop assuming in our ignorance that we know everything.
Strong Agree, Mr. Miller.
Waiting till all the facts are on the table, so to speak, is always a prudent course of action.
Sometimes facts do not win the day. We do remember OJ, right?
My comments were in no way meant to compare the personalities of the OJ trial to those connected to the lawsuit mentioned in the article above. Nor were they intended to play juror in the OJ trial (OK, maybe a little) but the facts were there – IMPO.
My comments really have nothing to do with the facts of the case. I don’t know if the things Mr. McRaney has alleged happened as he says they did. My judgment is based on the way McRaney has chosen to handle things. Even if everything he alleges about Kevin Ezell is true, I still find McRaney’s actions shameful.
Adam,
I have moved quickly to your point of view. It seems McRaney is playing this thing out in the Baptist land of blog opinions. Much like what some do with the media.
Shameful.
Here is one fact. I can say with absolute authority that no one from NAMB pressured anyone to cancel his speaking engagement in Mississippi. He was uninvited because of his public attack on Kevin Ezell.
Adam, my comment was in no way directed toward you.
I didn’t take it that way, but felt I should clarify since my words were among the strongest used in the thread.
While we may debate what the truth is concerning what really happened, we cannot debate the Truth of God’s word. I do not know Mr. McRaney but I know that his actions are wrong…period. 1 Cor. 6:7 “Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.” The bible is filled with people who suffered injustice and false accusations. Yes, even some suffered these at the hands of worshippers of God. Yet, we don’t see them carrying their petition to a secular court, but rather to the throne of God in prayer. Mr. McRaney has revealed a selective belief in the counsel of God’s word. There are hundreds of Pastors who have been fired and treated dishonorably by Baptist churches every year, but their not running to the courts. They realize that God will judge the offender and He will defend the victim. The Lord doesn’t need Mr. McRaney to serve as a messenger of revelation against the alleged dark deeds of Ezell (Not saying he is guilty). Sometimes it has to be enough that you know the truth and God knows the truth.
Just thinking on my keyboard.
In the spirit of 1 Cor 6, Let’s nominate several people selected randomly from among the messengers at the convention to judge this issue. The passage mentions “men of little account” so this could exclude any former or current officers, trustees, directors, or employees of convention institutions. Maybe it could be small church or bi vocational pastors or laymen.
It seems to me that 1 Cor 6 is an instruction to work toward a resolution rather than a lawsuit or even just being willing to be the injured party.
Maybe if Jesus would have sued the Sanhedrin for tarnishing His name or pushing Him out of His livelihood, we would have a precedent.
The example He left was – spit on me… call me names… beat me… crucify me…
The example being set here is I am owed so I will do what is necessary to clear my name (not Christ’s) and profit at the same time.
I wonder if McRaney ever counseled a pastor being terminated for some lame reason to sue the church?
Just throwing out a few thoughts, wasting time, before heading to Ras Al Khaimah for a Council of Evangelical Church meeting.