Southern Baptists talk leadership change

By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Southern Baptist leaders could remove the president of their North American Mission Board, based in Alpharetta, next week.

They hired Geoff Hammond to run the evangelism arm of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination in 2007. He is overseen by a board of 57 members, including 21 executive committee members and 36 trustees.

An e-mail from the Rev. Jason Pettus, a trustee from Kentucky, says some of the executive committee believe Hammond has not responded to direction from them, and morale at the agency is low.

Southern Baptists have defined themselves by evangelism. At the same time, conversions have dipped in recent years and the denomination has stopped growing.

Pettus said by phone he sent the e-mail because he heard rumors of discontent with Hammond and wants to clarify what will happen at the executive committee meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11. The e-mail says Hammond’s removal is a possible action to be taken.

Pettus wants trustees to attend as well.

The Rev. Lester Cooper of Cumming, a trustee, said he had not heard of the discontent until he got the e-mail. “I think Dr. Hammond has done an outstanding job,” he said.

Hammond declined to comment.