You will find on Marty Duren’s blog, SBC Outpost, part of a report from a specialized subcommittee: The Interim Report of the Leadership Development Subcommittee to the Overseas Committee.

This subcommittee was charged to investigate questions raised in the now infamous “White Paper,” written by Keith Eitel and circulated under a cover letter by Paige Patterson.

The report of the Leadership Development Subcommittee (as reported by Marty Duren):

Summary Conclusions

1. For the past two years the Leadership Development Subcommittee looked at the programs of training offered at the ILC (International Learning Center). The conclusion of this study is that the programs are sound theologically. This includes but is not limited to missiology and ecclesiology.

2. There is adherence to biblical parameters as expressed in the BFM2k. IMB staff is cognizant of compliant with SBC/IMB positions on such issues as ecclesiology and the role of women in ministry.

3. There is a healthy cooperative relationship between those traning programs and the larger Southern Baptist theological training system.

a. The IMB participates in an annual consortium with the six SBC seminaries and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. This keeps all parties abreast of concerns, trends, needs, and developments in the field of missions. The IMB is represented at these meetings by both staff and trustee attendees.

b. SBC seminary professors cooperate with IMB staff as regular lecturers at ILC.

c. SBC seminaries partner with the IMB in their established 2×2 [sic] programs and newer programs such as the MATSIL program at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This program grants masterlevel credit for studies done at ILC as a part of the requirements for said degree.

4. While the ILC training processes are not exhaustive, they are healthy, growing, and effective.

Word of Commendation

[Given to two specific staffers, one at IMB and one at ILC.] They were responsive to the inquiries of the Subcommittee and forthcoming with all requests for information. The IMB staff gives every indication of being anxious to respond to Trustee inquiries and input.

Following this report, a trustee stood to report her son’s current experience at ILC: the word was EXCELLENT. This is his second time through (the first time as a Journeyman) and he had nothing but the highest praise for the training he had received and the teachers he was able to hear, including Dr. Tom Elliff and Dr. Jerry Rankin.

Specifically, here, the subcommittee has provided a stamp of approval for the educational process going on at the IMB.

I am, of course, glad to know that the IMB is doing a superb job of training our missionaries for service. I know that you are as well.

More specifically, however, the subcommittee has rebuffed the assessment of Drs. Eitel and Patterson.

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