Tennessee Baptist Convention Files Suit

With only 38 days left until Belmont University's revised state charter would roll into effect, the Tennesseean reports:

"The Tennessee Baptist Convention has filed suit against Belmont University, seeking repayment for all financial and property contributions to the university since it began supporting the university in 1951."

According to the TBC's Baptist and Reflector,

"The Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board has filed a “complaint” in Davidson County Chancery Court against Belmont University.

The complaint seeks “enforcement of the rights and remedies of the convention” under a 1951 agreement signed by officials of both the convention and university, according to Clay Austin, chairman of the Belmont Study Committee and president of the TBC Executive Board."

I commend the Baptist and Reflector for correctly calling this a "complaint" and not a law suit, it does sound more Christian.

As for Clay Austin and the committee of 14, "This action allows the parties to pursue the next option of mediation in hopes of reaching an amicable resolution of the issues. If mediation is unable to result in a mutually acceptable resolution of the issues, then and only then would the litigation process be continued." Well sure, Clay. You file a suit to encourage an amicable solution to the issue...if that is really your intent, why then didn't you avoid the charade back in May, have your two meetings with university officials (that's all anyone seems to know about), and file suit so this would be off everyone's plate by now?

Pay attention Carson-Newman and Union...this is not about the money.