Paige Patterson to Step Down as Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's President

As of early Wednesday morning, Paige Patterson is no longer president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). He has been voted off by the trustees and has become the seminary's president emeritus overnight. Meanwhile, theology dean Jeffrey Bingham has been appointed as the interim president.

According to a statement by the seminary, there was a deliberation that went on past 3 a.m., the board voted Patterson into paid retirement, complete with an on-campus home where he and his wife can live as theologians-in-residence. 

Though Patterson's recent comments against women and his unpopular view about abused wives were taken into account, the decision included other reasons too. Patterson also faced scrutiny for declining full-time enrollment and finances at Southwestern, which exceeded its budget last school year, despite cutting staff. 

"After much prayer and a more than 13-hour discussion regarding challenges facing the Institution, including those of enrollment, financial, leadership and institutional identity, the Board determined to move in the direction of new leadership for the benefit of the future mission of the Seminary."

Patterson becomes the second president in SWBTS history to be forced out of the role. The only other was Russell H. Dilday, who was dismissed in 1994 as part of the Conservative Resurgence, the wave of denominational leadership changes orchestrated by Patterson himself. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Bingham has accepted the offer to be the seminary's interim president.  "I am humbled and honored to be asked to serve Southwestern Seminary in the capacity of interim president," Bingham says. "May I please request that the Southwestern Seminary family and the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention faithfully pray for Dr. and Mrs. Patterson, Southwestern's administration, the trustee transition committee, and me in the months ahead as we collectively work together in unity and love during this transition period. Jesus remains on His throne, and Southwestern Seminary remains faithful to its commitment to Preach the Word and Reach the World." 

 

 

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