The following email just went out to the Southwestern Community.
Dear Friends of Southwestern,
Thank you for your continued prayers and support of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). Because of the grace and purposes of God, the prayers and support of so many like you, and the hard work of our seminary leadership, the seminary is moving forward to continue fulfilling the core mission of training men and women for ministry service and leadership. Thankfully, God has provided our seminary with superb and timely leadership in our Interim President, Dr. Bingham. God has also enabled our board of trustees to come together in unity for the sake of supporting the continued fulfillment of SWBTS’s core mission.
As you likely know, the full board of trustees recently ratified the actions of the executive committee taken since the May 22, 2018 full board meeting. Thirty of the thirty-four trustees voted for this ratification, and every trustee stands unified in a desire to move forward in support of the seminary and the fulfillment of its core mission. We hope and pray that you will be able to join us in that decision to continue our united support of our seminary.
Some of you may have additional questions regarding the full board’s ratification of the actions of the executive committee. Those are important matters, particularly as it relates to Dr. Patterson’s transition from SWBTS. As much as we strive to provide the highest possible level of clarity in all of our board decisions, the challenges of recent circumstances required some degree of confidentiality. Even with the necessary confidentiality, we hope that the following general information related to the decision to ratify the actions of the executive committee might offer a better understanding of some of the steps our board has taken.
Foremost, despite our present differences, the board of trustees is grateful for both Dr. and Mrs. Patterson’s service to SWBTS over the last fifteen years. We, as have all Southern Baptists, benefited from the Pattersons’ ministry over these many years. We are grateful for his longstanding dedication and commitment to serve the Southern Baptist Convention in its mission to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations by leading the way for the conservative resurgence. We have no doubt that Dr. and Mrs. Patterson will move forward and find opportunities to faithfully serve the Lord and continue to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Further, we are grateful that Dr. Patterson and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary agreed to resolve their dispute over certain documents from Dr. Patterson’s tenure at that seminary.
In order to assist Dr. and Mrs. Patterson in moving forward, the executive committee acted to continue providing Dr. Patterson with housing, compensation and benefits until September 15, 2018, when they were able to move from Southwestern’s campus housing at Pecan Manor. In August, Dr. Patterson declined a separation agreement offered by the seminary, which would have provided some additional salary and benefits to assist in his transition. Even though Dr. Patterson declined the separation agreement, the executive committee pursued a resolution that it felt represented the full board’s desire to further assist Dr. and Mrs. Patterson during their transition, even beyond September 15. While we cannot disclose the details of all the efforts and actions to assist Dr. Patterson, we want you to know that we very much attempted to help them during their transition. We hope that these efforts in some way represent the hearts of grace and concern that we, and many of you, have rightly sought to display through this challenge.
The circumstances over the last several months have been trying for all involved, from sadness to pain to frustration and to discouragement. Even still, it is our sincere prayer that the steps forward for both Dr. Patterson and SWBTS, taken in the hope and grace of Jesus Christ, will provide needed comfort and encouragement for all.
At this point, the best response for us all is to trust the Lord by taking steps forward in the grace and mercy of the Lord, as we all need God’s grace and mercy, particularly in times such as these. Our prayer is that your steps forward in God’s grace and mercy will allow for your continued support of SWBTS’s fulfillment of its core mission: to train God-called men and women to fulfill their ministries and fully engage in reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,
Kevin Ueckert
Chairman, Board of Trustees, SWBTS
The Baptist Blogger 
The more I hear, the more I am convinced that my supposition as to Dr. Patterson’s real role in the CR was correct. Namely, Dr. Patterson was God’s tool in the Resurgence just as the Babylonians were God’s tool in administering justice to Israel.
Not a white horse savior; far from it.
What is so very disturbinf is that this man, Paige Patterson, thinks himself entitled to worldly wealth beyond and above all the missionaries, pastors, seminary and SBC entity employees. What about all the retired missionaries of his own generation, most of whom return from a lifetime of sacrificial service only to be dependent upon family and the government (Biblical Egypt) for a place to live and food to eat.
Why is he so proud? He who should be the servant of all according to Jesus’ own teaching and example. Has Paige Patterson ever served sacrificially or selflessly? It would not appear so at all. God have mercy.
‘Further, we are grateful that Dr. Patterson and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary agreed to resolve their dispute over certain documents from Dr. Patterson’s tenure at that seminary.’
Good.
But just HOW was the dispute over the documents resolved? That is of utmost importance.
Jesus spoke firmly about honesty and faithfulness in stewarding those things belinging to others. In Luke 16:10-13 : “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
We need to know how God’s resources which have been entrusted to the people of the SBC, and further to trustees and entity heads are being stewarded.
Was Paige Patterson rewarded for his poor and profligate wasting of God’s resources? Was his megalomania and enormous ego pandered to by the leadership of Southeastern?
This answer should be public knowledge. Or at least tell a member of an SBC church where one may obtain the answer.
And we wonder why people are no longer attending church and why people are running from the church is because of the entitlement of people like him. Hand out the transition package for him out to students that need help with tuition!
This from a man who told crowds while he was president of SWBTS that he accepted no salary from the institution, conveniently leaving out the fact that his salary was going into “his foundation.”
Find an example of audio or video where Patterson said this? I have never seen or heard of that. If you don’t have proof to direct readers to, you’ll need to retract your comment or revise it.
Heard this from a very reliable source; however, have no proof, so you may retract it. (I don’t know how to do it)
It was Mrs. Patterson that did not receive a salary per se. Not him.
Why would he turn down the separation agreement? Wonder if he was against agreeing to withhold from the use of non-disparaging language of the seminary? Or he would like the option to sue the seminary in the future? Curious the reasons.
Where are the Paige Patterson supporters now?
Probably blocked by the host. . .
“We, as have all Southern Baptists, benefited from the Pattersons’ ministry over these many years.”
All? Not even remotely. His influence has, on balance, been negative from the day the Fundamentalist Takeover began.
I find all of this appalling. Lawyers write up severance agreements that include all kinds of commitments. These agreements secure what the employer wants in return for cash. The fact the Patterson turned down the cash does not mean he wanted more money. It most likely means he would not abide by the terms of the contract that restricted him in some way. . . like handing over documents for example. If I had been falsely accused, I would want to hold onto documents too. Remember some of these documents were released and put the trustees in a tough spot.
Quotes from artilce…..”Further, we are grateful that Dr. Patterson and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary agreed to resolve their dispute over certain documents from Dr. Patterson’s tenure at that seminary.” Translation, One issue has been resolved. “As much as we strive to provide the highest possible level of clarity in all of our board decisions, the challenges of recent circumstances required some degree of confidentiality. Even with the necessary confidentiality, we hope that the following general information related to the decision to ratify the actions of the executive committee might offer a better understanding of some of the steps our board has taken.” Translation, This is a confidential and legal matter that need not be made public. Display some maturity and mind your own business. “While we cannot disclose the details of all the efforts and actions to assist Dr. Patterson, we want you to know that we very much attempted to help them during their transition.” Translation, Dr Patterson did not accept their offer and we have no information regarding any request he has made or any legal remedies he may pursue.