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Dr. Geoff Hammond Resigns as President of NAMB
Posted by Dave Samples in Baptist Life
Effective 5:00pm, August 11, 2009, Dr. Geoff Hammond resigned as President of the North American Mission Board.
This was quite an interesting beginning to my tenure as a trustee. Let me say just a few things about the day. I am incredibly impressed with my fellow trustees. I saw broken hearts. I saw an insistance to follow the Word of God. I saw a desire to be led by the Holy Spirit. The spirit in the room was overwhemingly gracious. There was no witch-hunt–just a desire to do what is best for NAMB as we represent Southern Baptists.
The entire meeting lasting from 9:00am until around 7:30pm was conducted in executive session due the sensitive nature of personnel issues and is thus confidential.
Let me enourage you to be in prayer for Dr. Hammond and his family as well as the entire staff at the North American Mission Board.
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Dave:
Thank you for your report.
We all need to be in prayer for Dr. Hammond and the three others who are leaving the NAMB. I believe the NAMB is facing a huge challenge right now moving forward.
Personally, I’m optimistic because everyone in SBC life has a shared goal: namely, tearing down old walls and building a structure in which the NAMB, states, associations and local churches are all working on the same page cooperatively to implement evangelism/church planting in North America: what was (maybe still is) called GPS.
Roger
This kind of thing really disturbs me. But I appreciate your report and your affirmation of the demeanor of the Trustees.
You did pick quite a time to be a trustee, didn’t you?
Dave Samples:
You said–”There was no witch-hunt–just a desire to do what is best for NAMB as we represent Southern Baptists.”
How is the “resignation” of four men, one of which was the President going to improve NAMB?
Dave,
Thanks for the report and your spirit. I pray only the best for namb. Having served as a trustee in the past I know how great and terrible the job can be- sometimes both at once.
As best I can understand it, namb needs to do three things well. 1.Good stewardship of the resources. 2. Good relationships with the partnerships- state conventions, associations, ethnic fellowships, namb staff and missionaries, etc. 3. Good focus on the purpose- evangelism, evangelism, evangelism. Church planting, disaster relief, etc. needs to be about reaching lost people with the gospel.
That’s my sermon! I’ll pray for namb, the employees who are leaving or staying and trustees. Doug Munton
I would like to ask what Dr. Hammond and the others did to be forced to resign? What did they do that warranted them being asked to go? And, why are we….Southern Baptists…not being told what happened? This is our NAMB, and this is our business. I would like to be told why he “resigned?”
Also, this just looks an awful lot like the setting up of the merger of the IMB and NAMB. I mean, with Dr. Hammonds and the other leaders gone….it sure does make a good time to merge, now, dont it? Just as many of the GCR advocates wanted. Interesting.
David
Two things from a business perspective, which I’m supposed to be an “expert” in, when it comes to non-profits:
1. I understand the “sensitive” nature of personnel matters. However, Dr. Hammond had been on this job just a short time. And such a dismissal now brings into question the judgement and management ability of the trustee board. Two bad hires(and there is no other way to put that if you have had to fire two in a such short time)point to a systemic problem in the trustees management and hiring practices. As someone who has run a $25million per year ministry, I understand personnel policies and procedures and the laws related to privacy. BUT if this is not explained in some way, it will have a devastating impact on the trust of NAMB and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.
2.This entire episode calls attention to the vital question: what should be the purpose of the North American Mission Board in today’s environment of denominational and societal need? Should we merge now? Or are we being forced to continue something that would be a far more effective use of God’s resources in another structure? We as Southern Baptists are incredibly adept at keeping programs and structures going far longer than their efficient use would indicate. If you look at the Book of Acts, you see the picture of a church that organizationally did whatever they had to do to confront their culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We should be constantly evaluating EVERYTHING we do to do the same.
David, don’t read too much into that. Not everything is a conspiracy. Obviously, there have been some leadership problems at NAMB, but to read this as some kind of political manipulation by GCR leaders is a little over the top.
Dave Samples:
How did we go from:
The Baptist Standard reports this:
“In May NAMB trustees unanimously approved a resolution affirming Hammond for “exemplary, unique leadership and vision.”
To his resignation plus three others.
I want some answers!!
Dave,
Things happen behind the scenes that you and I are not privy to. And, I dont see a conspiracy in everything. But, this does make it awfully convenient to merge the IMB and NAMB….does it not? which is what some people are advocating big time???
I’m just wondering aloud.
Also, I really dont like being left in the dark about the why’s in situations like this. Especially when my Church gives very good to the Annie offering. I would like to know why Dr. Hammond and the others felt the need to “resign.” And, like Kirby said…this is the second time someone has “resigned” in a very short time. What’s going on?
One more thing, I guess yall are hearing the rumor going around about Ed Stetzer already being lined up to take NAMB over? I’ve already heard this from several people.
Well, rumors do get to flying all over the place when people are left in the dark.
David
David Volfan:
The problem with the NAMB transcends Dr. Hammond. There is a significant “public record” regarding the problems at the NAMB. This is documented by several Baptist Papers — most noteably the Christian Index — which is the paper of the Georgia convention.
The information that we do know that is “public” is that the NAMB’s upcoming major evangelism initiative is “adrift” (my word) because the agreements between the NAMB and the state conventions either were never formalized or if they were they “came apart”. The single biggest sticking point is that the state conventions are being asked/required by the NAMB to fund “media buys” for the GPS initiative but the states either don’t agree with this and/or can’t afford it.
The problem is that the NAMB has not taken seriously the need to negotiate with all the stakeholders that are supposedly going to implement the GPS initiative. The NAMB has given lip service to the “cooperative” nature of the GPS with the states but it has not rolled up its sleeves and hammered out a workable plan with its stakeholders to move GPS forward with a nationwide rollout.
Just last week, Dr. Hammond, at a “Summer Sr. Leadership Meeting” made remarks as documented in the Baptist Press story included below which I’ve included verbatum. I’ve put in capital letters the area which to me is most unsettling.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<> Hammond: So. Baptists at ‘Historical Point’
written by Mickey Noah — writer for NAMB
Aug 7, 2009
ATLANTA (BP)–More than 430 Southern Baptist leaders — state executives, local association
representatives and church planting and evangelism specialists from across North America
— converged on Atlanta July 26-30 [2009] for the North American Mission Board’s annual summer
senior leadership meeting.
Using “Live With Urgency: Sharing God’s Transforming Power” as the major conference’s
theme, NAMB President Geoff Hammond challenged the attendees on how they can make the
greatest impact for the Great Commission.
The event brings together directors of mission, directors of evangelism, church planting
missionaries and other state and national denominational leaders for a time of planning
state and national evangelism and church planting efforts.
“We stand at a historical point in Southern Baptist life. We are embarking on the most extended,
farthest-reaching national evangelism initiative we’ve ever attempted,” said Hammond,
referring to NAMB’s GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) effort now under way.
“FORTY-TWO STATE CONVENTIONS HAVE BOUGHT INTO GPS, and we have the possibility
in the weeks before next Easter to sow down the Gospel impacting 32 million
homes, one-third of the population of North America. I don’t know of any other
denomination that can do that.”
Hammond said Southern Baptist church planters across North America are planting
a new church every six hours, four new churches a day, and 30 new churches
each week. “And these are not just Anglo churches, but Hispanic and
African-American churches as well.”
>>>>> End of BP story
I think it is about time the NAMB revealed what its plan is (working with various SBC state/association/local church partners) to sow down the Gospel to 32 million homes during before Easter 2010.
Roger Simpson
Dave,
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Thanks for your service as a new trustee of NAMB and for the above information. You really know how to pick the time to begin your service as a trustee
I appreciate you not betraying any confidences.
My prayers and best wishes are for all involved. Especially my prayers are with you and the other trustees as you seek God’s guidance for new leadership at NAMB.
David R. Brumbelow
David R. Brumbelow:
You said–”Dave,
. ”
Thanks for your service as a new trustee of NAMB and for the above information. You really know how to pick the time to begin your service as a trustee
You also said–”I appreciate you not betraying any confidences.”
What information has Dave provided? You can not betray confidences when you do not say anything of a specific nature as it relates to the “resignations”.
It all happens behind closed doors, 4 people resign and let’s just move along. We are just supposed to take your word and others that all is going to be well now.
Politics stinks and that is what this all sounds like to me. Spin, Spin, and Spin. We must do better as a denomination.
David W,
That’s the baptist system, isn’t it? We give, we vote, then we get left in the dark when anything happens – well, at least people like you and me do.
We have to trust our trustees
Hey Everybody,
My apologies for not being able to interact today. I was still involved in orientation and as such did not have the ability nor the time to answer any questions.
Where to start?
First of all, let me insist that the board itself took absolutely no action except to receive the resignations of Dr. Hammond and the others. I know that everyone would love to hear all of the details of what transpired in the room. That just can’t happen in this case! Again, the only votes that the board took were procedural–no votes were cast in regard to Dr. Hammond or the others. Volfan, I don’t think that it would be accurate to say that Dr. Hammond was “forced” to resign. There were no votes in that regard taken one way or the other. It is my understanding that it is normal for confidentiality agreements to be signed in situations like this. Both parties agree to not talk about it–therefore I cannot talk about it!
I share Roger’s optimism that some very good things are going to happen at NAMB. Leadership change can be very healthy and I suspect that NAMB will just fine. Doug, having had the opportunity to hear personally from senior leadership at NAMB, I believe that the priorities that you have listed will be emphasized in an even greater way. It was announced today that long-time NAMB leader, Richard Harris will be at the helm until an interim president is named. Richard Harris is cream of the crop and I expect that the short-term leadership at NAMB through Dr. Harris will be tremendous.
Though I can’t tell you what was discussed, I can certainly tell you what was not discussed. In my entire time, since arriving in Alpharetta on Monday, I heard absolutely no one discuss the possibility of merging the two mission boards. I certainly do not know the heart of each trustee–but I did not hear or overhear any discussion of merging.
Tom, good question. Unfortunately, I was not on the board when that statement was issued. I have tried to provide the information about the meeting that I can share–which is the mood in the room. It was not an angry shouting kind of meeting. Men were openly broken. I’ve seen political and this was not political! Also, Volfan, nothing was said about Ed Stetzer–good suggestion though…
Dave Samples,
I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Also, I was not promoting Ed Stetzer, nor was I suggesting him. I’m just telling you and others that that’s the rumor I have heard from 2 or 3 people already. Personally, I dont think that Ed is the right man for the NAMB job. Nothing personal against Ed Stetzer, but he’s not the man for such a position. Neither am I.
Dave, let me just say this….when the President and his top guys all resign after being there for such a short time….well, it looks like something is going on. I’m not saying that they were forced out. I dont know for sure. But, after the talk not too long ago about getting rid of Dr. Hammond, and then, he and his top guys resign…well, can you not see my skepticism?
Also, Dave Miller, I do think that the Trustee system is fine, and I do trust them to handle the business of the entities. But, I would still like to know why? Dont you?
David
Everything in me wants to know all the fact, David. I just know its not likely to happen soon.
Associated Baptist Press has an interesting article: http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4312&Itemid=53
Brother Dave S,
I do not doubt your sincerity in this matter and I do appreciate your willingness to give this information. Your service is appreciated and I am sorry that as a new trustee your first order of business is the President’s resignation. Also, you will not find one whose philosophy is more closely tied to “trusting the trustees” than me. I want to do that and desire to see NAMB pull through this time. I believe that Dr. Harris will make a find interim leaders and provide the stability that is desperately needed at this time.
Having said that, I only have one question for you and the board. If Dr. Hammond was not forced to resign; where is the letter of resignation? Why was that not published at the time of the news release in order to place the kind of openness that the BoT desires to present?
Blessings,
Tim
Tim,
I will try to find out why the letter of resignation was not released or if it can be. As you know, there are lawyers involved in these types of things…
Brother Dave,
I know what you mean. Thanks for replying. While it is important that no confidential agreement is violated, there is no violation in releasing a letter of resignation that says, “I _________________ respect the decision of the BoT and for the sake of the mission I tender my resignation.” It seems that would be the reasonable thing to do if the resignation was not forced as we are being told. If the resignation was forced then a letter with the same wording could have been prepared and ready for him to sign. Shoot, even when Clark Logan was let go he left then a letter of resignation. I hear he did not leave it on his desk, but he left then a letter and that was a surprised forced resignation. Dr. Hammond knew that they would be discussing his early departure.
Just saying, it would go far for the BoT to release the Letter of Resignation if they are truly into this transparency thing everyone wants to have.
Blessings,
Tim
The BoT did the right thing by starting the process of bringing in new leadership at the NAMB. I totally support their move.
However, changing top brass, while a critical and needed first step, is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the revamp that the NAMB needs to effectively do evangelism in the USA with its state convention, association, and local church partners.
Just because Dr. Hammond is gone does not mean things are suddenly “OK” at the NAMB. It doesn’t do a thing to shore up the degree of “buy-in” of GPS by the states, associations, and local churches.
I agree with Calvin Whitman’s article in the Southern Baptist Texan [“First Person: Moment Critical for NAMB” http://www.texanonline.net that the NAMB is “adrift”.
The single most important point for the NAMB now (as it has been for the last number of years) is coming up with a plan to work synergistically with the state conventions.
The current malaise at NAMB has been brewing for years. Replacing Dr. Reccord with Dr. Hammond didn’t fundamentally turn the agency around. Replacing Dr. Hammond with a new president is not going to help either unless there is a major change in the way the NAMB does business.
This is going to be one exciting trip for whoever takes over the helm of the NAMB. Once this ship leaves for Treasure Island there is no turning back. The ship is either reaches its destination or is scuttled at sea. There won’t be a chance to re-provision the vessel and sail yet again with some other captain.
Roger,
Thanks for linking Calvin Whitman’s article in the Texas. He does make some good points that should be looked into. I know Calvin personally since he pastors in Colorado. In fact, the NAMB trustees will be holding their October meeting in Dr. Whitman’s church.
Totally unrelated, I am honored to now be cannon fodder on another blog. I guess that I have finally arrived in the big time…or should I say in “fantasyland”. I would invite you to read William Thornton’s post here: http://forums.baptistlife.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485
Dave:
I read the link at “Baptist Life”. Dave, some of these bloggers can be intemperate. I guess I’m as guilty as anyone else sometimes. But the fact remains that the NAMB is in serious need of repair. And this is not a new problem.
>>>>> GENERAL COMENTS
The problem is NOT:
(a) The senior management (except that they should be proactive to call for change instead of trying in vain to “work with the broken system”) If this problem could be fixed by replacing management the problem would have been fixed years ago.
(b) The workers in the trenches at the NAMB
(c) The trustees
If it is NOT any of these things — then what is the problem?
In my view:
[1] The NAMB does not have a clearly defined set of metrics to measure success or failure. At the top of the list is how effectively the NAMB is leveraging resources at the state/association/local church level to get the work done.
[2] The NAMB needs to be driven by its customers. To use a business analogy, the state conventions are the NAMB’s customers. The state conventions send money [indirectly via the CP] to the NAMB for services. If the states don’t see value with the NAMB “product line”, or if they see that the NAMB product line is (a) not feasible to implement or (b) not a complete solution, then the states will not sign up with the NAMB.
>>>>>>COMMENTS REGARDING INITIATIVES LIKE GPS
The trouble with initiatives like GPS is that no one is in charge. There are mutual dependancies between various autonomous entities and there is no binding force to negotiate to a common set of agreements on who is doing what and when. There should be specific checkpoints IN WRITING between NAMB and its partners that are activated every six months from the launch of the initiative to its completion.
Typical checkpoints include: (a) have venues been booked, (b) has talent or speakers been lined up, (c) is media package production on schedule, (d) is at least xx% of the TV / radio / print advertising money in the bank, (e) are churches/associations lined up to do block parties, mass choirs, or whatever, (f) are xx% of the funds for food, concesions, security, housing, phone banks, etc. in the bank, etc.
I don’t think the NAMB should agree to be involved in any way in an initiative like GPS with any state convention unless that state formally “signs up” and agrees to the parameters which govern the joint venture. The NAMB agreements with each state could be radically different based upon the realities on the ground that differ from state to state.
Similarly, I don’t think any state convention should agree to be involved with the NAMB unless the NAMB makes a clear delineation of who is doing what and when and who is paying for what.
I believe that it is best for the state conventions to drive this. Depending upon agreements THAT ARE MUTUALLY NEGOTIATED ahead of time the NAMB could end up doing anywhere between 1% and 99% of the funding / execution of the initiative in any given state/province.
From the NAMB’s standpoint, at least one benefit of using this business model is that it will force them to “count the cost” with the states and make adjustments before hand so the whole thing is feasible across all participating states. If more funding is needed then a coherent presentation can be made to everyone across the SBC saying, “we need $xx more in Annie offerings in the next two years to implement plan ‘A’. If we stay on our present trajectory we will only be able to implement plan ‘B’.” Or to put this another way, the NAMB can say, “We are unable to consummate deals with xx, yy, and zz states because we don’t have the resources at hand to meet their needs. We need to beef up our Annie giving.” The NAMB is being up-front and transparent and accountable.
Dave,
I’ve heard from a friend on that trustees that Hammond was not allowed in the meeting at any point during the accusations that were made against him, including the speech by Johnny Hunt who isn’t even a member of the board. Can you speak to the truth of this? What about the Matthew 18 Principles and facing your accuser? Seems to me that this was all an agenda to pave the way for one mission board before you ever got the meeting or became a trustee and the “good old boys” had this arranged to make this go well for one mission board. Have you been able to find a letter of resignation? I’ve emailed the board chairman but have not received a reply. Thanks for giving us the inside scoop.
I’m as curious as the next guy, but this is where we get into trouble.
You “heard from a friend” – that may or may not be reliable information.
You got your facts wrong (Johnny Hunt, as President, is ex-officio on the board).
You assigned motives to others (assuming this is all about the GCR and realignment).
You denigrated men you don’t know (the good old boys who orchestrated all this).
We are all frustrated, and we would like to have the information. But, frankly, I don’t think that kind of comment helps much in a situation like this.
I wouldn’t know Geoff Hammond if I ran into him at Walmart. Maybe he is the victim of ill treatment. Maybe he did not have the capability to run an organization like NAMB (as has been alleged).
But there is one thing we have in common. Neither of us really knows anything.
Roger,
I like the way you think. I would encourage you to contact Richard Harris at NAMB and share some of your thoughts. When the interim is named contact him as well. I would be very surprised if Dr. Harris was not willing to give you a few minutes or at least to have an email exchnge.
Pastor John,
Who is your trustee friend?
The lack of transparency is greatly discouraging to me. I have had huge issues with NAMB in the past and hope and pray that they are being resolved. I hate to say it but stuff like this makes me want to designate funds from our church.
Dave:
I sent you an E-mail. In it I have a few questions for you
Thanks Roger
Got it, Roger.
Why not hire someone from within NAMB to be president? I Understand there are at least three very qualified men working for NAMB now that would be an excellent president.
Dave i read something on another blog…this is not from me but can you verify it as accurate?
“NAMB Trustee Meeting, August 11 2009
Called into Executive Session by Tim Patterson
Fellow trustee called for President Hammond to remain in the room since he is the president of NAMB
Barry McCarty, SBC Parliamentarian, called that motion out of order
Several other trustees pressed for Hammond to stay
McCarty ruled against all requests/motions
Hammond supporters were kept at bay
Hammond and others left the Day Auditorium
They were never invited to return
David Doverspike, attorney for NAMB remained in the meeting
Johnny Hunt, SBC President; 3 NAMB Senior Strategists; 2 NAMB Team Leaders spoke to the Trustees
Towards the later part of the afternoon, it was clear that Hammond supporters did not know what they could do any more
Hammond would need to resign, and that was clear for Culbreth since he was senior assistant to Hammond
When asked about Reid and Pickett, a trustee said “let me go check”
That trustee came back and said “I’m sorry to tell you this, but they want you all to go”
Not one of the 4 had a chance to hear or answer any charges/accusations against them
Hammond asked to speak to the trustees, to share something from his heart. Said he would not be negative or throw anyone under the bus. He was denied that opportunity.
Ted Traylor was quoted last week as saying, “the trustee system works”. Guess it does when you can figure out the parliamentarian loophole that keeps those being questioned from being present. Even if it is the president of the entity.
Tim Patterson, in his address to NAMB staff Wednesday morning said, “God is leading these four men elsewhere”.
To my knowledge, these 4 men have no idea where they go next. They would say that God called them to NAMB. Tim, don’t speak for God on their behalf. You did not even let them speak on their own behalf.”
[...] IMPACT! contributor and brand new trustee at NAMB, Dave Samples, described the recent trustees’ meeting that resulted in Hammond’s resignation, as a very Christ-centered and honorable meeting . [...]
Did Dave disappear after PastorJohnFr’s question about the statements above?
Hey Ron, I’m still here. I just don’t have any more information that can share.
Here is a link to the Alabama Baptist, which presents some interesting perspectives from the trustees from Alabama. One of them resigned following the departure of Dr. Hammond.
http://www.thealabamabaptist.org/print-edition-article-detail.php?id_art=12212&pricat_art=1
Yes! Besides the Ed Stetzer trip in September you could come out to work with my team in Taipei or if you had rather go to Taichung, I could put you in touch with the team leader there. You could put a team together or you might could join another team. Email me and we can get the ball rolling.
You are right we have said enough for the blog string.