This seemed as though it was worthy of a follow-up article. Dr. Rainer responded to Robert Downen (one of the best religion journalists in America) of the Houston Chronicle. His response is even more troubling, calling LifeWay’s actions into question. It seems as though LifeWay is jumping to the lawsuit without much of an effort at all to find a more Christ-honoring and irenic way to solve it.
The Chronicle is running a special (99 cents for 12 weeks – well worth it). Sign up if you want to read the article, but here is Rainer’s statement.
I was saddened to learn late yesterday of the lawsuit LifeWay has filed against me. Before learning of the lawsuit, I heard from a LifeWay representative about this concern only one time on September 8, 2020. LifeWay’s counsel sent me an email asking for an explanation of my relationship with another publisher. I gave a quick and substantive response that same day. Even more, I requested to meet with the board officers in my response. I assumed all was well until the lawsuit was filed yesterday.
Additionally, I received a written and amicable release from publishing with LifeWay on October 1, 2019.
I love LifeWay. I gave LifeWay 13 of my prime years seeking to do God’s best for the organization and for the Kingdom. Neither LifeWay nor its present leadership are my competitors. I am confident we are on the same mission to help churches make disciples.
Though I am grieved by this action, I will pray for LifeWay and for my many friends and former colleagues who continue to work there. It is my hope that sensible men and women of Christian decency and commitment can resolve this issue and return to our primary biblical mandate. Until that day, I will continue to serve the churches and the church leaders that I love and have served for my entire life.
Assuming this is true (and I believe Dr. Rainer – if he gave a false statement here, he would undermine himself badly) then Ben Mandrell and LifeWay need to reevaluate. He wanted to work things out but Mandrell seemed to WANT to engage in a lawsuit without trying to seek resolution.
This looks bad for LifeWay.
I agree Dave Lifeway needs to explain this… While technically and contracturally Rainer seems to be in violation of the agreement he signed as he was supposed to wait 12 months after October 1, 2019 to start publicizing and working with another publishing house and he started working with Tyndale prior to that… But we’re only talking a couple of days and it seems like maybe some conversations could’ve avoided this – On the other hand i presume – Lifeway has their reasons and justifications too and we haven’t fully heard those yet. It sure is 2020! Ugh! (I just… Read more »
Unless he is arguing the clock started ticking earlier. Plus, if you read his statement, he claims LifeWay released him.
Yeah, I caught that too.
Both points are likely valid, but one thing I scratch my head on is that we are supposed to be the light of the world.1 Corinthians 6:1 from the CSB: “If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to the court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?” Paul’s words are pretty stern here, yet we see the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention suing a beloved and well respected brother. And like our brother said, if Dr. Rainer was in the wrong on timing, he literally jumped the gun by a… Read more »
Memo to jngjr: lawsuits have a plaintiff and a defendant. Non lawyer happy to help.
Agreement paid Dr. Rainer through Oct 2020…..typical non-competes extend 1-2 years after employment ends….if a release had been granted neither salary or benefits would have continued…looks as if it did as well as award of company car and two years of financial planning…..something is way off
I posted this on my Facebook page this afternoon. I used to be closely aligned with LifeWay when I was a state convention employee in Iowa. I received most of my budget and part of my salary support from LifeWay. But this is uncalled for and I’m not happy. Here’s what I posted. This is embarrassing that our SBC church publishing house LifeWay is suing their former president, Thom Rainer, over a dispute about a non-compete contract and a book publishing deal with another publisher (Tyndale). I haven’t always been a total Thom Rainer fan, but this is wrong for LifeWay… Read more »
I considered Thom a friend, so my bias is to believe him. I don’t know the issues.
I have no idea why a lawsuit was necessary.
Surely, a lawsuit should be a last resort. Thom Rainer and Lifeway representatives could have discussed this first. There are Christian mediation organizations that handle matters like this, thus avoiding going to court.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
I don’t normally post here, but this really bothers me. I understand the nature of business and the importance of non compete agreements, but this is Christian ministry. Thom Rainer writes to help churches and Christians grow in their relationship with Christ. Is there anywhere in Scripture that would justify not doing the ministry God calls you to do for a year because of a non-compete agreement? Imagine if churches imposed non-compete agreements on pastors. This whole situation looks bad for Lifeway in my opinion. We have abandoned ministry for business and the desire for changed lives with full bank… Read more »
Baptist Press on this development …. crickets