Re: Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two, “Chaplaincy
Change”
How distressing to read that Chaplain Colonel Bob Vickers has
“left” his position as director of chaplaincy evangelism at the Southern
Baptist North American Mission Board.
Re: Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two, “Chaplaincy
Change”
How distressing to read that Chaplain Colonel Bob Vickers has
“left” his position as director of chaplaincy evangelism at the Southern
Baptist North American Mission Board.
What a contradicting statement from NAMB Vice President John
Yarbrough to praise Chaplain Vickers as a “tremendous Christian gentleman”
and say he will continue to be “a part of the Southern Baptist chaplain
family” and then give no reason for the dismissal. A paraphrase could be,
“He is a good man, but we dont want him here on our staff” for
undisclosed reasons.
Chaplain Vickers has served the military and our Lord and denomination
in an outstanding ministry. It was with great disgust and sadness that I learned
of his dismissal.
At a time such as our nation faces now, what a contradiction
of statement and, in my opinion, an absence of wisdom and good judgment to terminate
one who has so ably led and would continue to lead and meet the needs of our
chaplains, wherever they might be serving, especially “in harms way.”
What a shame and loss that is.
Col. George Robert Richardson
Chaplain, USAF – Ret.
Lafayette