The American Bible Society announced it will not renew the annual contract for its current president, Dr. Paul Irwin, who had been suspended amid an investigation of possible financial irregularities at the organization.
Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, chairman of the ABS Board of Trustees, made the announcement Friday, weeks after a New York Times report revealed Irwin hired a web consultant who has ties with online pornography businesses and a gambling enterprise.
More than $5 million was paid to Richard J. Gordon, whom Irwin had previously worked with when serving as president of the Humane Society of the United States. At ABS, Gordon was hired to revamp Web sites, launch a television program online, and boost online marketing over the past two years – all to get the charity up to speed on Internet development.
Both Irwin and an ABS spokesman said they had no knowledge of Gordon's involvement in pornography or financial impropriety. Once it was brought to their attention by the Times' May 18 article, the Bible Society terminated all existing contracts with the Internet contractor.
ABS spokesman Roy Lloyd said the charity is the "innocent victim" and assured that an independent review of the organization's financial stewardship will be done with "integrity." The charity also ensured a neutral investigation by placing Irwin and its Chief Financial Officer, Richard Steward, on paid leave.
Now as Irwin's contract is set to expire on June 30, the Board of Trustees determined not to bring him back to lead the 192-year-old organization. Irwin served as head for two years. ABS Executive Vice Presidents Dr. R. L. Vest and the Rev. Simon Barnes will retain interim responsibility for day-to-day operations, board chairman Dickerson said.
A former ABS executive, who asked not to be named, is saddened by the recent development but added that it was "all just more of the same" for the old employees.
Within the past decade, Forbes Magazine had printed several stories reporting misguided policies and "bad business practices" at the American Bible Society. While the charity has income from its "ample reserves," a past Forbes article stated, "it has been hemorrhaging money." The article further reported higher operating and spending costs than the money that came in through donations, Bible sales and investment income in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2001. Some employees have also questioned Irwin's expenditures and decision-making, according to Christianity Today magazine.
Irwin had told the New York Times that the organization's tax form will show "next year that we spent a lot less, and the year after that will show we will continue to spend a lot less."
Meanwhile, the ex-executive still has many questions.
"What happened to the previous Web sites/Web site expenses? What has happened to the many 'programs' ABS undertook in the past that are no longer viable? How come some ex-board members, including the ex-chairman and the current CEO, are now paid employees of ABS?" the former employee posed, while commenting that a full investigative report on the charity is needed.
For nearly two centuries now, ABS has distributed billions of complete Bibles and Testaments worldwide. Many employees are shocked by the recent developments at ABS. One of them, who wasn't named, told Christianity Today, "We are all in mourning here over a wonderful institution."
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every sunday, your pastor or televangelist ask for your 10%, yet you still have to buy a bible when you need one. THE GOSPELS IS FREE!!
pastors / televangelist tell you to volunteer when they ask you to work but pastors televangelist want to get paid when they PREACH the gospel.
PASTORS TELEVANGELIST tell you to be contented & deny yourself, but THEY HAVE MULTI MILLION DOLLAR HOMES & LUXURY CARS, sometimes private jets.
when you correct these pastors / televangelist, they will defend themselves by using the 'YE NOT JUDGE ME' verse. BUT WHEN you think of your self , they will condemn, & cast the first stone by saying 'SELF IS A SIN!'''
OH WHAT PHONY HYPOCRITRES! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
We must pray for those who are in the leadership, and for the government officials. But the
people who are sitting in high positions in the religious world must be extra cautious about
their call and responsibilities. When I hear constantly from people that " it was the devil who
who mislead so and so". When we try to put blame at the devil's shoulder for all the evils being done by the greed and selfishness, that excuse can't be justified. Let the Christian
leaders study, how Dr. Billy Graham conducted his life without a spot of
stain. He is a human being like everybody, but he had the correct purpose and vision in
life to put Jesus above everything.
done by the Christians leaders,
You're right, lois, one bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch. Many are with the organization, many volunteer their time, and many give out the Bibles which are economically priced, to those needing God's world all over the world. Support the ABS, and give out the Bible any way you can, with integrity.
Leadership is costly, and in circumstances like these it is often tested to the core. We must pray for emotional and spiritual health as ABS leaders cope with this very difficult situation and a clear attack of the Devil. May God give those at ABS board wisdom, patience and grace as they steer the Society through these turbulent waters.
I pray also that we will not forget the huge influence that ABS has had in American and around the whole world as they support Bible Work generously. I pray that the church will not join with Forbes and the world in tearing down an institution that has been used greatly by God to spread His Infallible Word - and can still make a huge difference in the world today - despite fallible leaders.
I think it shows how we need to pray for those in leadership, because the devil knows the fastest way to disperse the sheep is to strike the shepherd. Lord, please protect all those you have graced with leadership talents within the body of Christ, in Jesus' name, Amen.
What a painful news for the generous donors to the American Bible society that President
of the American Bible Society is caught for mishandling of funds, and the funds were used
for evil purpose. If he is proven guilty, he must not get any compassion from the law,
but must be punished to the maximum extent of the law. Had he been the President of
a corporation and did this evil, we may understnad his greed for money, but while standing
at the top of a well known Christian organization and doing this evil, it is too hard for anybody
to understand. How far the genuine Christians are being hurt due to the greed of the few
evil people who are called themselves to be Christians and holding top jobs as Pastors and
Presidents of Christians organizations! The judgement has to start in the house of the Lord.
Now the world got another topic to laugh about!.