MBC Executive Board approves greater access to Exec. Dir. evaluations

MBC Executive Board approves greater access to Exec. Dir. evaluations

By Allen Palmeri

Associate Editor

ST. LOUIS – A Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) executive director evaluation procedure was amended by the MBC Executive Board, giving all Board members access to the executive director’s performance appraisals.

Previously only the three-member executive director evaluation committee could have access to the executive director annual performance appraisals. The three-member panel is appointed annually by the Executive Board’s Administrative Committee.

In other Executive Board action during the Board’s two meetings held in conjunction with the MBC annual meeting here Oct. 27-29, the Board recognized Hannibal-LaGrange College’s 150-year partnership with Missouri Baptists. A resolution highlighting the landmark was passed by the Board and later by messengers at the annual meeting.

MBC Interim Executive Director David Tolliver was asked to explain the MBC’s cash flow situation concerning ongoing litigation involving five breakaway agencies.

“We are currently over $200,000 in debt to ourselves,” he said.

In April, Tolliver told Board members that he was being asked to factor in a potential expense of $140,000, and they in turn unanimously approved a bridge loan in which the Executive Board made itself a loan from its budget to help the MBC satisfy the immediate debt owed in legal fees and with the anticipation that the Agency Restoration Fund within 12 months would provide sufficient funding to pay back the loan. The money is being borrowed out of MBC operating expenses.

MBC Controller Jay Hughes reported that even though the MBC is lagging about 4.9 percent behind in CP giving, frugal spending decisions by budget managers are keeping the organization in good shape financially. Reserves are around $2.35-$2.4 million, which represents a four-month operating level, he said.

The MBC Executive Board welcomed nine new members and seven appointed to second three-year terms to its ranks.

The new members are: Clifford Case, laity, First Baptist Church, Warsaw; Philip Melahn, laity, Bethel Baptist Church, Independence; Paul Pope, minister, Sonrise Baptist Church, Bonne Terre; Robert Stevens, laity, Ballwin Baptist Church; Stephen Ward, minister, First Baptist Church, Republic; Rhonda Tiehes, laity, Pacific Baptist Church; John Hall, laity, First Baptist Church, Rolla; Douglas Clinton, minister, Elvins Baptist Church, Park Hills; and Dean Bredbenner, laity, First Baptist Church, O’Fallon.

Those appointed to a second three-year term are: Becky Almond, laity, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Hartsburg; Kirk Baker, minister, Lawson Baptist Church; Monty Dunn, minister, Pleasant View Baptist Church, Highlandville; James Freeman, laity, Country Meadows Baptist Church, Kansas City; Jody Shelenhamer, laity, First Baptist Church, Bolivar; Gordon Voss, laity, Olney Baptist Church, Middleton; and Aaron Weibel, minister, New Site Baptist Church, Monett.

Retiring board members are: James Bone, laity, Canaan Baptist Church, St. Louis; Richard Francis, laity, First Baptist Church, O’Fallon; Ed Hamilton, minister, Ozark Baptist Church, Houston; James McCullen, minister, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Piedmont; Darrell Payne, laity, Cornerstrone Baptist Church, Sedalia; Jeff Purvis, minister, First Baptist Church, Herculaneum-Pevely; Jay Scribner, retired minister, First Baptist Church, Branson; and David Updegrave, minister, First Baptist Church, Wellington.