History of the Board Decision of 2000

History of the Board Decision of 2000

In late 1999, a committee of the Board of Trustees was formed to study the admissions policy of The Baptist Home. Their purpose was to seek ways to insure that the ministry of The Home would continue to be available to all elderly Missouri Baptists in the midst of growing Missouri Baptist Convention controversy.

The committee adopted four objectives that became guiding principles for their work and for the entire Board:

	Focus on Ministry. The Home will stay focused on its mission: to enhance the lives of Missouri Baptist senior adults.
	Minister to all Missouri Baptists. Because they have so generously supported our mission and ministry for so many years, The Home will continue to serve all Missouri Baptists.
	Remain neutral on issues that tend to divide Missouri Baptists.
	Protect the Home. The Home must do what is necessary to protect this great ministry, its assets, and the endowment funds, which provide for benevolent care.

The committee and the Board of Trustees were assisted by the legal counsel of Guilfoil, Petzall and Shoemake of St. Louis. In the review of our charter and by-laws, legal counsel made The Baptist Home aware of far greater issues facing the Long Term Care industry of today. The issues are: corporate asset preservation, liability and the real potential of ascending liability. Ascending liability placed both The Baptist Home and the Missouri Baptist Convention at risk if either were sued successfully.

If the issue had stayed with admissions it could have been resolved easily. However, the potential for The Home to be a conduit of liability to the Missouri Baptist Convention or vice-versa in a time of unprecedented liability litigation in nursing homes could not be ignored.

After much prayer and discussion, the Board of Trustees courageously took necessary steps to protect The Baptist Home and the Missouri Baptist Convention. In September 2000, the board voted in a convincing 20-0 action to create a firewall of legal protection between The Home and the convention (one trustee could not be present but later said that he supported the majority decision making the decision unanimous in support). It was also done in a way that would not interrupt the ministry or the services of The Baptist Home to Missouri Baptists.

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