An apology has been extended by International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin to SBC Executive Committee president Morris H. Chapman for stating that Chapman viewed cooperation among Southern Baptists as more important than fulfilling the Great Commission.
Rankin, in a blog post March 15, wrote: “I made a major mistake” in an earlier blog that “insinuated [Chapman] was not committed to the Great Commission.”
“I apologize and accept full responsibility for this egregious implication due to letting my passion for this topic not only erode objectivity in writing but to personalize the issue as a perceived attack on a friend and colleague,” Rankin wrote. “There is no question about Morris’ commitment to the Great Commission. He has always been a strong supporter of the IMB.” Rankin also stated that Chapman’s “passionate appeal” in his retirement announcement in February “for a renewed impetus on evangelism in the local church characterized what has been the priority of his life and leadership.”
Chapman, in a statement to Baptist Press, said, “I have known Jerry for many years and am grateful for his faithful service to Southern Baptists with the International Mission Board. In reading his most recent blog entry, I appreciate that he retracted the personal remarks he had made in an earlier posting.”
Rankin, in the blog containing his apology, noted that “the point of the post” had been: “whatever is priority determines what we do and whether or not we are willing to change what we do” to “reflect Kingdom priorities.” The “primary issue,” Rankin wrote, is: “how can we do more to reach a lost world at home and abroad unless we are willing to make some changes in how things are done.”
“I also apologize to the state executives whom I implied shared his sentiments,” Rankin wrote. The point of my post was not about his position, nor the state executives, but about all of us and every aspect of the SBC.”
In a March 18 Courier story, South Carolina Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer Jim Austin described the public disagreement between Rankin and Chapman as “unfortunate” and suggested that “a simple phone call could have resolved a misunderstanding.” – BP