A statement has just been released by the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Seminary that Dr. Paige Patterson has been immediately terminated as a result of the information concerning the handling of the sexual abuse allegation at Southeastern.
All of the previous benefits granted to Dr. Patterson have been revoked.
The full statement can also be found on the SWBTS website.
During the May 30, 2018, Executive Committee meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Board of Trustees, new information confirmed this morning was presented regarding the handling of an allegation of sexual abuse against a student during Dr. Paige Patterson’s presidency at another institution and resulting issues connected with statements to the Board of Trustees that are inconsistent with SWBTS’s biblically informed core values.
Deeming the information demanded immediate action and could not be deferred to a regular meeting of the Board, based on the details presented, the Executive Committee unanimously resolved to terminate Dr. Paige Patterson, effective immediately, removing all the benefits, rights and privileges provided by the May 22-23 board meeting, including the title of President Emeritus, the invitation to reside at the Baptist Heritage Center as theologian-in-residence and ongoing compensation.
Under the leadership of Interim President Dr. Jeffrey Bingham, SWBTS remains committed to its calling to assist the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention by biblically educating God-called men and women for ministries that fulfill the Great Commission and glorify God.
Further, the Seminary stands against all forms of abuse and grieves for individuals wounded by abuse. Today, Dr. Bingham made it clear that SWBTS denounces all abusive behavior, any behavior that enables abuse, any failure to protect the abused and any failure to safeguard those who are vulnerable to abuse. Additionally, Dr. Bingham called for the SWBTS community to join the Body of Christ in praying for healing for all individuals affected by abuse.
This is the right decision. I’m thankful that the Executive Committee of the Trustee board acted decisively.
I’m confused. I thought they had received the information about Southeastern in their last board meeting when they were deciding PP retirement status
They received it DURING the meeting. And they decided to check the story out carefully.
Dave ,
thanks.
Hosea 8:7, “ They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”
It’s terribly saddening… glad on one hand to see the board take a strong stance against sinfulness, even when it means taking down a man than many have admired and loved, and praying that it was for the truly right reasons, but also aware that there is lots of pain on all sides regarding this. Pain for the women, first and foremost, who have been abused in whatever fashion, and seen that abuse go undealt with, pain for the family and friends of Mr. Patterson, who certainly have trusted in his faithfulness as a Christian leader, pain for the board which was caught between a rock and a hard place, with accusers on all sides as to their decision-making, pain for the Kingdom which has to endure the scorn of those who are triumphing at the moral failing of some in its midst, and lastly… pain for Mr. Patterson, who I truly think is the product of a different era, and whose reactions to challenging situations of leadership struggled to react rightly, and has to live with the responsibility of where he both succeeded – and where he failed. There’s mourning needed all around… and much prayer that we will pick ourselves up from the ditch, and keep running the race for God’s glory.
Joel, that is SUPER well stated!
I echo Tarheel Dave’s sentiments, Joel. Well said.
It had to be done!
This is wise in tone and content and I think you are very right to point out the different era thing. However, years ago – the 1980s – I got to see the hunted animal trophies in his room and I thought even then he was in the wrong era. His ruthlessness had a certain wild west appeal in confrontational times but sits ill with a Christian leader over decades and arguably in any era. He was never going to relinquish power gracefully but he should certainly have done so much earlier – apparently before 2003.
The proper way to look at this sad chapter in SBC life.
I’m relieved, but I’m also very sad. The decicisive action announced tonight was absolutely necessary but it’s still extremely sad on a myriad of levels none the less.
I’m praying for the members of the SWBTS trustees and specifically the Exec committee – they’ve had to surf some really though waves. Heartbreaking.
May the victim(s) (survivors) continue to be comforted and strengthened in thier walk with Christ even through this extended suffering they’ve endured.
I’m also praying that this will lead PP to repentance and godly sorrow that will grow him deeper in his walk with Christ.
Let me just ask the question: What sin does Paige Patterson have to repent about. Could he have just made a misjudgment and a mistake?
Seriously Greg. He used a position of authority to intimidate a woman to not report a rape. Then the woman raped was put on probation. He devalued someone made in God’s image. He condoned rape and sexual abuse with his silence. Rape is a devaluing of the image of God. Rape was met with fierce justice in Scripture. Not only did Patterson not help this woman seek justice, he has not once, as of my latest understanding, apologized or shown remorse. This is not the actions you would expect from a Seminary President, preacher, or any man of God.
Relieved they made the right call. Strong stand and glad they had the courage to make it. Praying for the victims and for the future of SWBTS.
This has been a sad chapter in our SBC history. Today’s action by the committee is the appropriate action. Hopefully we will continue to demonstrate that we are learning from our history. I am very appreciative of Dr. Bingham’s call to pray “for healing for all individuals affected by abuse.” I will certainly be praying this, especially for those who have not been served well by previous counsel.
I have so much to say but it may take a long time to process the effects on me, my sisters and a future generation. It has just been a long, long road to get to today and this horrible moment in the SBC. While I am genuinely distressed for the SBC, I could have spoken up years ago. The time has come to change that. I’m not sure my speaking up sooner would have done any good. In fact, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have. Now is the time to report what we know and the things that have harmed His church. Silence over abuse and injustice isn’t often broken suddenly. Nor will the problems be resolved quickly. For some, myself included, it will take time and baby steps to get to a peaceful place. I’m thankful for this space in the comment section to begin to find my voice.
Thanks for speaking up, Suzanne.
Thank you, Suzanne. It’s way past time for the SBC to listen to those who have been abused. This is a tough position, a very difficult place from which to look up. God have mercy.
I am thankful for this decision. Love believes all things. The @swbts trustees have done the right thing. Let’s believe that they have done the right thing for the right reasons rather than questioning motives. Let’s not think that we have all the details of how this process played out. And let’s pray for SWBTS.
The right thing has happened and that’s always a good thing. I am thankful that the Executive Committee has acted and grateful for their courage. On almost every level this tragic saga is terribly sad and this no cause for jubilant celebration.
Genesis 1:26-27. NKJV. “ Then God said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness . So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Going against God, in how He created men and women to work together as one in His name, has caused so much grief and hardship to His Church. I pray that eyes may be opened and old predjudices overcome. I pray The Holy Spirit will speak to men and women who desire God’s word and truth.
The Last three presidents of SWBTS departed under varying degrees of controversy. Here’s hoping that the next president exits gracefully after a long and fruitful tenure.
Well said
I was critical of last week’s decision by the full board, but for everyone’s sake, I hope the Executive Committee has this wired down tightly. I imagine there will be huge pressure to honor the agreement of the full board last week, and it only takes a majority of the full board to welcome him back.
I can’t imagine that the full board would go against the Executive Committee at this point. There would be proverbial restitution to hades for doing so in the current atmosphere. I also can’t imagine that this decision was made by the EC in a vacuum isolated from the board. This has been brewing for quite some time, and the more recent revelations just sealed the lid tightly. Next up is to remove Patterson from the Convention agenda. I expect that will happen in quick order.
I would love to have him speak and show full remorse and repentance. I would hope the same for anyone in such a position.
So many have stated they want him to publically show repentance… this could be the best way.
Shame on us if we shun him.
Such remorse and repentance would be just as effective without him standing to preach at the Convention. Let him issue a statement. But he should not preach, in my opinion. I won’t be there to cast a vote either way, so my opinion matters little.
It would have been helpful if he hadn’t doubled done after the trustee meeting last week and made himself out to be a righteous victim in this whole mess, but that isn’t the Patterson way.
Dale, you are right. In fact, bearing fruits in keeping with repentance would seem to include willingly stepping aside from delivering the convention sermon.
Wishing this would have never had to happen. I am in full support of the Trustees decision, as I hope all followers of Christ would be due to the actions at SEBTS.
My prayer now is that we can understand that our mandate is to pray for the Pattersons and not verbally kick them while they are down.
I have many good memories of Dr. P. I was never an insider… never wanted to be. He was my President twice and professor (while he was my president in several classes (at both institutions). He was used by God to do many great things for the kingdom. The SBC owes him much but we owe God more.
I have forgiven him, regardless if he wants it or not. I hope the best for him, whatever that may look like. I pray we see God restore him through whatever means, to be further used to expand the kingdom.
I want to show more love to Dr. P, than I do the SBC (the institution).
Wishing this would have never had to happen.
With all the coverups , disrespecting women, marginalizing women , it was going to happen sooner or later.
Leslie,
My comment was meant to be read as I wish Patterson would have made the right choices along the way. That any person abused would never have been abused. That the SBC would be so biblical that the world would know we are in love with God more than we are ourselves.
Jon,
PP. Should not be the focus. What about the victims?
If anyone should speak at SBC, it should be the victims. We should all listen to their story and weep with them.
Raymond,
I have no problem speaking about the victims. The title of this post is about PP. I was speaking to the title subject and comments made.
I have not made any public statements about the situation at SWBTS. I did put this on Facebook this morning. I am going to post it here as well:
“Among those of whom I stand in agreement regarding the general doctrines of the faith and the understanding of the Great Commission specifically (Southern Baptists), I think it is a good time to remember the truth of James 3. Today is not a day for vain words. Let prayer, reflection, and wisdom rule the day.”
This is sad. However, I believe it means the annual meeting has a chance not to be a three ring circus. The decision is now easy to replace Dr. Patterson if he doesn’t remove himself. Resolutions on the subject of the church’s response to abuse no longer have a giant elephant in the room. The world outside will hopefully see the SBC’s growing consensus of better protecting the vulnerable and elevating women and minorities to participate in forging a new direction for our convention.
Handful of questions; hoping someone more informed than I am can answer:
a) What is the difference between the Full Board and the Executive Committee (EC)? Can the Full Board reverse the EC’s decision on this? I guess what I am asking is this a done-deal or will there be legal challenges?
b) I’m not PP’s friend, foe, or fan, but if he covered up an incident of rape then SWBTS did what they had to do. Was this decisive for the board? I mean, they already knew about the Gilyard, Klouda, counsel to the woman in the troubled marriage, sermon illustration, (and others?) and did not feel that these warranted firing. I’m not fully in the camp of ‘trust the trustees’ since I don’t know them or how they operate but in this case it seems that they did what was right (in not firing PP at first , and then firing him when the new story broke).
c) Is PP still speaking at the SBC? I’m assuming he would be removed from this as well.
d) The quote in the OP mentions: “. . . statements to the Board of Trustees that are inconsistent with SWBTS’s biblically informed core values.” What’s this about?
e) The rape that happened at SEBTS – I assume this happened in an SEBTS dorm and beyond PP’s coverup, no one else came to help her?
As one of my old bosses once said, “my best moments in aviation history were recovering from my worst.”
Jesus is Lord and hoping the SBC’s brightest days are ahead.
Your question about “statements to the Board of Trustees that are inconsistent with SWBTS’s biblically informed core values” is a good question. I think that is a nice way of saying that the facts of the incident at SEBTS did not match what the Board of Trustees was told by Dr. Patterson. The timeline is very important here. The SEBTS story broke the day of the trustee meeting. There was no time to investigate at that point. Patterson apparently told them one thing about the situation, but they decided to investigate further. The statement seems to indicate that upon further investigation, it became clear that Dr. Patterson had not told the truth, so they be fired him immediately. It would have been far better to put Dr. Patterson on administrative leave while they investigated, but maybe they didn’t have the votes to do that. So they removed him in the only way they could get the votes to do it. Then they investigated. Then the EC decided they had to fire him immediately because of what the investigation revealed. At least that’s how I understand what has happened.
Thanks Adam.
As for the convention sermon, Steve Gaines said it’s in the hands of the messengers at this point. Either Dr. Patterson would have to step down voluntarily, or a motion would have to be made during the Order of Business Report to remove him and replace him with the alternate (Kie Bowman).
Not sure exactly how that will play out, but I would suggest the alternate come with his sermon ready. I believe it will be decided and announced before the convention convenes. Gaines can get him removed as preacher, especially now.
I don’t think PP should preach the Convention sermon. That would be unnecessarily divisive. It would be best if he voluntarily withdrew, but if not, he needs to be removed. It might prove helpful if he came with a prepared statement (reviewed and approved in advance by ?) along the lines of: “I was wrong . . . I am sorry.” Succinct, specific, swift.
I don’t have my finger on the SBC pulse but whoever could best unite us, that’s who should preach this sermon.
This is a sad day for the SBC. There are no winners. Randy Seale asks a pertinent question that the trustees should answer. “Was this decisive for the board? I mean, they already knew about the Gilyard, Klouda, counsel to the woman in the troubled marriage, sermon illustration, (and others?) and did not feel that these warranted firing?”
He should add that Patterson spent 25 years attacking and slandering IMB missionaries and staff. In one attack the IMB trustees and Jerry Rankin released the following statement concerning Patterson’s campaign to Baptist Press.
“I had wondered why so much criticism of our program and policies, disrespect of leadership and even threatened litigation was being generated by students from Southeastern.” Rankin claimed, “blatant disregard for truth is propagated.”
Evidently this did not bother the trustees at SWBTS when they hired him.
This is a tremendous day in the SBC. Haman gets to walk the gallows he and Pressler erected for hundreds of godly Southern Baptists, whose crimes were they believed in the ministry of women. There is hope yet for the SBC.
Jerry Evans,
Wow. No one who holds to true and biblical complementarianism opposes women serving in ministry within biblical parameters. The problem is with those who pervert it.
This is not about that.
Your rejoicing in this situation with such rhetoric is disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
I pray for your release of bitterness and repentance.
Dave, I was personally at a meeting to observe Pressler and his fundamentalist henchmen as they plotted to remove one of the godliest men I ever met. This man was a biblical scholar, beyond excellent, totally committed to teaching God’s Word as a seminary professor. Why destroy such a man? Because he attended a church where there was a woman deaconess. Look it up in the Bible. Phoebe was a deaconess. I got up, looked at Pressler and told him, “I cannot do this”. There was dead silence in the room from these political operatives. It was one of my finest moments. I want to apologize to you and all Baptists for not doing more to stop the political takeover of a once great denomination. Therein lies what I must repent of. I grieve for the SBC. Patterson and Pressler should have been run out of town 40 years ago. It has only just begun to get ugly.
Fundamentalist henchmen. Balanced commentary here, I assume.
Jerry: As it happens, I am in the process of memorizing the second chapter of 1John. I urge you to shine the light of verses 9 through 11 into the darkness of your recent comments. Your bitterness is far uglier than anything you imagine for the SBC.
Ray, am open to instruction and looked at those verses. I do not “hate” Paige or Paul. I do despise the way they community organized the SBC and took it over. The carnage was great. I had a front row seat. Baptists serve one God and have only one Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ. But there are another two lords and saviors of the SBC – Patterson and Pressler, and they have been idolized, given countless standing ovations and glory. They have even erected stained glass windows with their images upon them. I grieve over this. I grieve over the celebrity pastors who preach and then autograph Bibles after their services. I grieve over the unity Baptists had in 1979 at the Astrodome for missions and evangelism, derailed by political witch hunts. I grieve for all the God called women whose gifts and graces were squelched. I grieve for the women who had their abuse covered up by Patterson. I grieve for the young man who is suing Pressler for his sexual sins over three decades. I grieve for those who do not like these inconvenient truths revealed. I am hopeful for healing for everyone, including myself, in this whole sordid sick mess.
Being “removed” does not “destroy” a man. What the man does after having been removed is the determining factor as whether or not he is going to be destroyed by one solitary event in his life. It could be an Acts 9:16 or a 1 Corinthians 16:9 experience.
Jerry, it is interesting that they choose the woman deaconess issue to get rid of this man. I don’t think any SBC church as had more members serve as SBC trustees in the last 20 years as Mark Dever’s church, Capital Hill Baptist in DC. His church has women deacons. I think that is why there was no mention of women deacons in the 2000 BF&M. They pick and chose issues depending on who they want to attack and ignore them when it suits their purpose. Everything is relative. Theology is of secondary importance.
Goodness. Ron West is bashing the CR. I’m shocked.
Dave, you said you were not going to read anything I wrote after I asked the question, “Is this what the CR was all about?” Al Mohler in his “The wrath of God” post asked, “Is the what the CR has become?” Pretty similar to me. Are you no longer going to read what Al Mohler writes. Is he full of bitterness and hatred as you say I am?
By the way I was not bashing the CR. I was stating the facts of past actions and asking why the trustees did nothing about those actions.