The Gospel Coalition: Can God Save a Fundamentalist School?

No, I am not accusing anyone of heresy. I’ve read McLachlan before, but was going over his discussion of “familiar separation” (what he terms “secondary separation.”) once again. The context was McLachlan discussing two un-Biblical errors regarding the issue.

I promise there was no secret message imbedded in the passage for anybody. I believe there is an unfortunate history of excesses on both sides of this ditch. It is good food for thought for everybody concerned.

Jay,

My sources did not suggest that the school is at 250 students. This year they are approximately 400 as we are all aware. They suggested that the budgeting process for the next year was based on 250 students. They simply may be playing it safe financially which is wise. Perhaps they will have 400 students next year. That would even be better for their bottom line. Nevertheless, like any school, they are looking at their pre-enrollment numbers and are attempting to forecast where they will be. Nobody knows for sure what that number is at this time. The numbers are down for many reasons: the economy, a level of uncertainty, a general downturn in fundamental schools, and to some degree a change in philosophy. My personal recommendation, for what it’s worth, is that they put a strong transition team together as soon as possible. I think people like Herron, Pettit, Horn, etc. could give some direction until a new president is appointed. I am sure others would suggest different men than these and that is fine with me. Certainly the school needs our prayers and may be open to constructive suggestions. Nevertheless, these are difficult days for Christian ministries. Regardless of our differences, the world is becoming increasingly hostile to the Bible, the Gospel, the NT church, and any ministry striving to be biblical. Also, as you wisely pointed out, size does not always tell the true story, nor does it always indicate the blessing of God or lack thereof. If that were true we would be bowing down to the idol of Joel Olsteen. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Mike Harding]

Jay,

I agree with McCune’s assessment of MBBC based on the criteria he laid out. NIU, as you noted, has an uncertain future. My guess, and it’s only an educated guess based on recent conversation I have had with former associates of the school, is that a change in the administration by the governing board was due to management issues and not over the philosophical direction of the school per se. Over a decade ago when Les Ollila retired from the presidency, the college had nearly 700 students and about 18 million in the bank. Next year they were budgeting for approximately 250 students with only a small financial cushion. I personally think (and I may be wrong here) that NIU is continuing to follow the trajectory that Matt and the board set several years ago. I don’t see that changing.

If that is true about the board not as concerned over the philosophical direction of NIU, I don’t know what to say. I guess I don’t know exactly what that means. Are they OK with the idea of not separating over music AND OK with NIU having it’s own rock band? If that is the case then I would be disappointed in the board.

Dr. Olson has said NIU isn’t going to separate over music anymore. Starting your own rock band and organizing CCM concerts is going well beyond simply “not separating over music.”

Meanwhile NIU flounders downwards, their supporters on both sides don’t know what to think, the legacies of the Paul Patz and Dr. Ollila continue to get trampled on and flushed down the toilet, and stuffy ‘ol Fundy places like MBBC and BJU are trending upwards.

But at least now NIU is more “Gospel Centered” and there is greater hope now more than ever.

Generally, it would seem that Northland would be better off financially with 400 students than 250 students. (During the last few years, BJU dropped majors and programs because, I presume, that the students in those majors cost more than break even so more students don’t always equal better finances.) However, it has to be noted that Northland had a $2.5 million to close to $3.0 million dollar deficit during the last few years. According to Bobby Woods doctoral dissertation, they covered the deficits in 2005 and before by “raiding” the endowment fund which was intended to be used only as a generator of income with the principal remaining untouched. Their endowment fund was less than $10 million in 2005 according to the NIU documents in the dissertation appendix. It would seem based on the the deficits since 2005, that the endowment fund is either depleted or close to depleted at this time.

While I am no college administration expert, it is clear to me that they must balance their spending and revenues (as their endowment committee told the board in 2005) NOW!. I have no idea what this will take – but it would seem drastic steps must be taken. Steps that Dr. Olson either couldn’t or wouldn’t take. What has their CFO been doing and recommending for the last six years? He certainly was telling (screaming?) Dr. Olson and the board that the school was falling off the cliff financially, right?

[mmartin]

If that is true about the board not as concerned over the philosophical direction of NIU, I don’t know what to say. I guess I don’t know exactly what that means. Are they OK with the idea of not separating over music AND OK with NIU having it’s own rock band? If that is the case then I would be disappointed in the board.

Dr. Olson has said NIU isn’t going to separate over music anymore. Starting your own rock band and organizing CCM concerts is going well beyond simply “not separating over music.”

Meanwhile NIU flounders downwards, their supporters on both sides don’t know what to think, the legacies of the Paul Patz and Dr. Ollila continue to get trampled on and flushed down the toilet, and stuffy ‘ol Fundy places like MBBC and BJU are trending upwards.

But at least now NIU is more “Gospel Centered” and there is greater hope now more than ever.

M,

I’m assuming that you’re referencing the NIU group in the Praise & Pizza video that went around as a rock band. Can you possibly define that a little more for us? I confess I’m unclear as to how that would possibly be considered a rock band…

Todd

I’m unclear how it would not be defined as a rock band.

[mmartin]

I’m unclear how it would not be defined as a rock band.

Listen, I’m not trying to draw you out. This isn’t a trap. I really want to know why you see that as a rock band.

Is it the presence of guitars?

The dress of the participants?

What is it that makes you say, ‘that’s a rock band’?

Yes, I would say it is the presence of the electric guitars and drums. But much more beyond that it is the predominance of those instruments in the music itself. They are not background sounds. The electric guitarist isn’t just strumming lightly in the background. At times he playing it kind of hard, more emphatically. They are a major part of the music.

[mmartin]

Yes, I would say it is the presence of the electric guitars and drums. But much more beyond that it is the predominance of those instruments in the music itself. They are not background sounds. The electric guitarist isn’t just strumming lightly in the background. At times he playing it kind of hard, more emphatically. They are a major part of the music.

I know many churches [mine formerly included] in which the organ is the predominant musical instrument. It is not a background sound. It is played hard, emphatically, a major part of the music.

Again, not trying to be snarky here, but by your logic, that would mean that many churches already employ ‘rock bands’.

Todd,

How would you define rock music?

I do not think any reasonable person would identify an organ or a piano or a flute or a trumpet, etc. as your typical, staple rock band equipment.

What rock band Doesn’t have drums and bangs on electric guitars as a predominate feature of the music?

And I would disagree with you that church organs are sometimes played emphatically, rock band style. They may be loud in church at times, but that isn’t the same as being played hard.

[mmartin]

I do not think any reasonable person would identify an organ or a piano or a flute or a trumpet, etc. as your typical, staple rock band equipment.

“The sound of rock is traditionally centered around the electric guitar, which emerged in its modern form in the 1950s with the popularization of rock and roll. The sound of an electric guitar in rock music is typically supported by an electric bass guitar pioneered in jazz music in the same era, and percussion produced from a drum kit that combines drums and cymbals. This trio of instruments has often been complemented by the inclusion of others, particularly keyboards such as the piano, Hammond organ and synthesizers.”

Source

Example: http://youtu.be/T6PjglqMj_s

My church in Maine had an old Hammond B-3 organ with a Leslie speaker, and we had a musician make an offer for it because it was in demand by rock musicians.

Observe: http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_kw=Hammond+B3+Model+A+Leslie+Speaker

Yes, organs can be included in a rock band and it is possible for a rock band to not have either drums or guitars.

If you took a poll of a random 100 people asking them to name a musical instrument that is identified with a rock band and I bet you the top two will be either drums or an electric guitar. A synthesizer could be another, but not an organ.

[mmartin] If you took a poll of a random 100 people asking them to name a musical instrument that is identified with a rock band and I bet you the top two will be either drums or an electric guitar. A synthesizer could be another, but not an organ.

So would wireless microphones, so let’s ban all wireless microphones! Furthermore (and just to have some fun with this) - let’s ban fog machines, speakers, and stage lighting too. How about computers? Anyone here use a computer to monitor and control the church sound system?

OK, I’m taking my tongue out of my cheek now. Let’s be honest - Guilt by association makes for a lousy argument, if you’re consistent. And in this case, it’s going to be pretty hard to be consistent.

[Brenda T]

Jay wrote,

I have to admit that I’m getting tired of being separated from by my conservative brethren over music.

Without naming names, can you specify how people have separated from you?

Have they not invited you to speak at their church?

Have they been invited to speak at your church and declined?

Are they not singing songs that you write?

Do they not talk to you in private or on a public forum such as this blog?

How are people separating from you personally over music? Remember, disagreeing with you does not constitute separating.

I can share my experience. I used to be regularly called to fill the pulpit of a fundamental Baptist church when their pulpit was vacant. (I used to be on their staff.) The last time I preached there three years ago, I quoted the words from one stanza of “In Christ Alone”. I haven’t been invited back since because “I was promoting bad music”.