October 6, 2008

Verification Of NASS' Accusation Of Wrongdoing

NASS made this claim on The Cakes Report, September 27, 2008 12:51 PM

"You know what? I totally agree! After all, about 10 years ago, when a certain staff minister was caught embezzling money from the church and doing other things he shouldn't have been doing, AR fired him. Then when he couldn't get a job at the seminary because BBC gave him a bad recommendation, he turned around and sued the church for "defamation of character." Instead of standing their ground (what court in the land wouldn't side with BBC in this matter?), AR reportedly had the church pay him off to the tune of $500,000. After all, we wouldn't want the great Bellevue to suffer any "negative publicity." In this case, I believe AR was wrong."

Is this a true story and can it be verified? Could AR fire a staff member and could the treasurer issue a payment to an out-of-court settlement without a Church called business meeting?

This needs clarification.

added: "For 21 years as Associate Pastor for the 28,000 member Bellevue Baptist Church, pastored by Adrian Rogers, his ministerial and administrative responsibility was the direction of the entire program and staff. During this time he also counseled scores of pastors, consulted with numerous churches, and conducted many church leadership retreats. His service outside his church included various denominational committee assignments, including terms of service with the Executive Committee and Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Prior to his call into the ministry, Bob served in engineering, manufacturing, and corporate management for 21 years as a Christian layman. At the same time, he served three churches, from the very small to the very large, as a lay leader including Chairman of Deacons for each." Rev Bob Sorrell (thanks to Anonymous)

9 comments:

Ace said...

Charles,

I commented on the forum about the current pastor's story about furniture because it is indicative of the majority of christendom's mouthpieces' journey away from true gospel preaching.

I did notice the comment concerning AR also. I do not know much about him other than what is 'common knowledge' among the general public. There were no follow up comments about this I would suppose for a couple of reasons. Either out of respect or surprise. You are correct that verification is necessary before pursuing discussion on it.

I have been quick to offer what I hope has been received by you as 'constructive criticism'. Let me also be expedient in commending you for exercising restraint regarding this particular subject.

Anthony Johnson

Anonymous said...

TRUE,
But I had heard it was more like
1 million.

Bob Sorrell was on Administration duty during that period, so see if he will talk.
See his web site where his History of running BBC is located

Here

"...For 21 years as Associate Pastor for the 28,000 member Bellevue Baptist Church.....his ministerial and administrative responsibility was the direction of the ENTIRE program AND staff..."

You have been blaming Adrian for everything, maybe you aren't looking close enough.

BBC now has a employee's handbook which includes a statement that all employees are at will and can be let go for any or no reason.

WatchingHISstory said...

If this story is true then CW has a right to retribution for the pain he has suffered, not in whole but in part from Bellevue.

The poor child, now a man, could not turn to anyone for emotional reasons but he was trapped in an institution that kept him suppressed. This institution consist of a small group of rulers which harbored internal turmoil within its own circle.

I would like verification of the payoff story. Credibility is growing.

WatchingHISstory said...

Anthony

interesting aside. The furniture story gives a certain appeal to the common man in the congregation. They would not get this from AR, he was too sophisticated. The common man lives for opportunities to get something for nothing and if SG does then there is hope that they will.

Listen, Bellevue needs this appeal to the commom man. Question is will sophistcates hold on? Memphis needs SG to turn Bellevue around and reach the city and Steve will do it.

Steve needs to allow congregational authority once the common man is not the minority.

All the times I visited Bellevue I always wondered why common people would attend there. Sorry about the stereotyping but you can see it.

Anonymous said...

"Listen, Bellevue needs this appeal to the common man. Question is will sophisticates hold on? Memphis needs SG to turn Bellevue around and reach the city and Steve will do it."


I don't know what you are drinking or smoking or whether you just need glasses, but Steve and the elite of BBC are still in charge, just check as to who is on the Board of Directors:

Jeff Arnold,
Charlie Brand (who's son Eric is the Chairman of the Deacons)
Al Childress,
Chuck Fullerton,
Tom McCormack
David Coombs, who is the current Administrator.

All of them = long time insiders.

This outreach into Memphis in which Steve wants to LEAD other Churches (ie takeovers) under the pretext of doing good deeds, is just a ploy of these rich to control property and wealth within the city.


"Steve needs to allow congregational authority once the common man is not the minority."

Ain't going to happen.....the common people will just be a cover ....

WatchingHISstory said...

...just wishful thinking on my part. I have friends who still atend there and I would like to see Bellevue change.

I am leary of dealing with Anons but I understand the need. What is your interest in this? Are you just another SG basher.

WatchingHISstory said...

I cannot fathom a Church paying 1/2mil to a man who pocketed Church money/had an affair, was fired, applied to MidSouth and sues Bellevue for defamation of character. Bellevue settles out of court. This man knows something and is paid to be silent - seems to me.

This brings up the question as to what the terms of termination for Paul Williams was. Did he also know something?

I would not want my tithe or offerings going to fund a 1/2 mil payoff!

Ace said...

Concerning:

"interesting aside. The furniture story gives a certain appeal to the common man in the congregation. They would not get this from AR, he was too sophisticated. The common man lives for opportunities to get something for nothing and if SG does then there is hope that they will.

Listen, Bellevue needs this appeal to the commom man. Question is will sophistcates hold on? Memphis needs SG to turn Bellevue around and reach the city and Steve will do it.

Steve needs to allow congregational authority once the common man is not the minority."


I have stated that I am not overly familiar with AR, so I can't speak to his being a sophisticate or not. IMO, your take on SG's furniture tale is very benevolent. Whether he is trying to relate to the 'common man' or not, to imply that he has to buy furniture under shady circumstances because of financial restraints rings a bit hollow considering his status as a high paid pulpiteer. Maybe the masses buy into this because they are more likely to discover the U.S.'s nuclear launch codes than the well guarded and highly classified BBC salary schedules. I stand by a previous statement I made...implying that you can't afford something when you most likely can is not poormouthing.. it is lying. But I digress on this front, for it is only my supposition, though circumstances would seem to favor its validity. In general, I have a disdain for the casual, flippant, talebearing approach and style that plagues the pulpit today. The current lack of reverence employed by those charged with gospel preaching is nauseating to say the least.

I understand though what you mean about 'connecting' (my inference). However, would you not agree that rather than try to come across as an 'everyday Joe', he would be better served by preaching the true gospel, instead of the counterfeit that supposes salvation is conditioned on the sinner? Surely this is not what you think(or hope) that he 'will reach' the city with, is it?

And if his 'common man' approach somehow resonates with the city, what good is accomplished then if they are still only exposed to a false gospel?

Also, if congregational authority is somehow restored by some monumental(and unlikely) reversal of ecclesiastical direction, is it not only a resolution to the 2nd biggest problem.

I agree with the premise of many of your previous posts in that reforming church polity is only of benefit if it proceeds from a correction of theology. You may have not stated it just so, but that was what I gleaned.

Anthony Johnson

WatchingHISstory said...

You are correct Anthony. You said it with eloquence.

Charles