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Clark Logan’s Resignation… What’s Going On Here?
Posted by John Stickley in Baptist Life
Last week, it was reported that Clark Logan, Vice President for Business and Finance of the SBC Executive Committee, suddenly resigned from his position. Details were sketchy at the time. When asked specifically if he had requested that Mr. Logan resign, Executive Committee President Morris Chapman responded:
It is not the practice of the Executive Committee to respond to rumors.
This evening, Mr. Logan released a statement regarding his resignation. Specifically, he stated:
On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, I was asked to submit my resignation before the end of the day, which I did.
I’m not quite sure what’s going on here, and it appears I’m not alone in my curiosity about this matter… the Baptist twitter world has been ablaze about this topic for the past few days:
Any insights?
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John, I think most of us are in the same position that you are. We can smell something here – things do not seem right. But anyone who knows what is going on is not speaking, so we are left in the dark.
I have always had a tremendous respect for Morris Chapman, but his recent ill-advised comments at the SBC, and now the way he has handled this have left him with a shrinking reservoir of respect and good-will.
John,
I have no inside information, but I think this might remind us of a few points. Southern Baptists have never agreed on everything behind the scenes. Just like what goes on at your local church. Sometimes equally good believers just can’t work together or get crossways with each other. Sometimes a good man justly, or unjustly goes down in the process. Many things happen in the SBC that will never be read in BP. Many of those things should not be printed in BP. Dr. Chapman and the Executive Committee are in charge of BP. Personnel matters should not always be publicly revealed. But this is becoming such a big story, very likely we will be reading about it in BP.
David R. Brumbelow
To an extent, I agree with David Brumbelow, that there are times when people working together just reach some impasse which prevents them from continuing to work together–it may not be a matter of impropriety, immorality, or illegality, but just a matter of personalities and/or methodologies which do not fit together smoothly.
But if that is the case–what is the necessity for an immediate resignation? Why not allow the person to work out a notice? And why not issue a statement explaining that (1) there is no impropriety, (2) just a matter of personalities or goals or processes, whatever, which conflict and therefore require a change? But as the issue is being handled (or rather, as it is being allowed to go, apparently without any “handling”), it is creating the perception of a secret. And secrets have a power of their own, even if the “secret” itself is insignificant. As things are, they suggest dysfunction, or a power play, or something wrong, perhaps badly so.
John Fariss
I can’t believe how much hand-wringing has occurred over this and I am guessing that there are a lot of hidden agendas at play. Put it together: Chapman speaks against the GCR and warns of divisions over Calvinism. Mohler is a Calvinist and put forward the motion for the GCR. Logan is very close with Mohler from Southern. Chapman is close to retiring and word is, Ronnie Floyd is eyeing his position – I’ve heard that from 2 sources now. Ronnie Floyd is chairman of the GCR task force.
Is it possible that there was division at ExComm and Logan was not supportive of Chapman? Is it possible that a parting of ways was appropriate considering Logan’s other allegiances? Look at who has come out in support of Logan and look at their position on the GCR and Chapman’s opposition. In saying all of this, I am not in the least insinuating that Logan did anything wrong – or that Chapman did either. People can disagree. But, sometimes if the disagreement is of a certain variety, then people can’t work together anymore. Look at Paul and Barnabas. It doesn’t mean that either are bad.
This is all just speculation. Even the Ronnie Floyd for Ex Comm head is just being whispered and I am not saying that is a bad thing. Someone has to take over for Chapman, why not Floyd? He might do a fine job.
If something improper happened, then fine. Deal with it. But, should we impugn someone’s character over speculation? Those are my thoughts from observing the public events of the past few weeks. Again, I could be WAY off. Time will tell.
So far,
It appears that Clark was willing to do what he was asked to do by his own admission. I agree with Alan in that more detail will eventually surface.
-Chris
Alan’s scenario makes as much sense as anything I’ve read, but its all just conjecture until more comes out.
And that may never happen.
Given the timing of Clark’s departure, it is likely that there has been some “friction” at the EC for some time between Logan and Chapman.
Chapman was likely waiting until the SBC annual meeting was over before pulling the trigger. This is because:
(a) Clark is one of the main guys — probably THE main guy — in charge of the overall operation of the annual meeting and it would have been total chaos to give him the boot prior to the meeting.
(b) If the termination happened prior to the meeting then it would have been a key item of discussion during the convention and Chapman would have had no option than to defend his action.
Right now we are in a quiet time which gives Chapman an opportunity to toss Clark overboard with a minimum of “disruption”.
I think the members of the Exec Committee are going to have to come out and say something.
Roger Simpson
Oklahoma City OK