A Word about Nazarene Institutions of Higher Learning and their Leadership Teams
The toughest job in the Church of the Nazarene is college president. I’ve written a blog on that topic before, you can read it here. Don’t believe me, ask Dr. Carson Castleman of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Following a vote of no confidence from by the faculty a few weeks ago, I have friends that love the guy; I have friends that… umm… less than love the guy. It’s hard being a college president. Dr. Jeren Rowell has done an excellent job leading Nazarene Theological Seminary in spite of the seemingly endless accusations and unfounded detractors. (FYI the seminary is the only institution where every faculty member is vetted by the Board of General Superintendents. No other school’s religion department is. Still, NTS is constantly taking inflammatory hits of being less than Nazarene. An argument can be made, it’s the MOST Nazarene.). Being a college or seminary president is a tough.
There are those who have done very well. Dr. David Spittal, who recently announced his retirement, came out to retirement to help MidAmerica Nazarene University and has stayed longer than many probably anticipated. He served MNU through trying times and was a blessing to that school in many ways. Speaking of leaving the ease of retirement, Dr. John Bowling is coming out of retirement to help give interim leadership to Nazarene Bible College. The NBC trustees could not have picked a better candidate. Also speaking of retirement, I sat in Trevecca’s own, Dr. Dan Boone’s seminar at the M-25 conference last week; let’s do all we can to keep that guy from retiring… ever. His seminar was masterful. I wish every District Superintendent in the United States could have heard it. Last fall, the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England’s principal, Dr. Deirdre Brower-Latz, was our revival speaker. She was terrific. What an exceptional mind and gifted speaker. Moreover, I recently spent a few days in the Philippines at the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. Drs. Larry and Lynne Bollinger are a treasure to the Church of the Nazarene. If there are better people than Larry and Lynne, I haven’t met them (although they are a little too rabid about the Boston Celtics).
Bias Alert: Olivet Nazarene University President, Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, grew up at Flint Central. It is his home church. The family center is named “The Chenoweth Center,” after Gregg’s parents, Bob and Arlene Chenoweth. We have a “Chenoweth Scholarship” that has given thousands of dollars to Olivet students. Moreover, his grandfather, Rev. Robert Milner pastored several churches on the Eastern Michigan District and for a time, I was his grandmother’s pastor. All this to say, Gregg is the favorite son in these parts. You will not hear a discouraging word around here about Gregg.
Nazarene institutions of high learning are going through challenging times (i.e. Eastern Nazarene College). Some of our schools are in the midst of transition (I’m looking at you Dr. Kerry Fulcher at Point Loma and the presidential search committees at Northwest, MidAmerica and NBC). Can Nazarenes everywhere commit to praying for our university leadership teams. As rumors and innuendos from all sides fly on the internet, I’ve learned that I don’t always know the facts. I am not always privy to first-hand information. Usually those that are, avoid social media. Before slinging any mud or jumping into the fray, can we pray? Before hopping into a gossip mill and drawing conclusions, can we seek the Lord?
Leadership is hard. Competing voices are everywhere. It’s not always cut and dried. Sometimes decisions made are not of the “lesser of two evils” variety, instead are of the “all-the-choices-stink” variety. Not every decision will be agreed upon. Some things the leaders will get right and other things will prove to be wrong (leaders are people too). When people’s livelihoods are involved, it is understandably unsettling. Obviously, we must comfort the grieving. We can do so, without passing social media judgement on matters of which we know little.
In all things, especially for those of us on the outside looking in, we need to exude Christ-like consideration, mercy, and grace. Our colleges and universities are taking hits on all sides, we need not add to the angst.
