Steve Pettit to replace Stephen Jones as president of BJU

The BJU agenda - What needs to be done:

1. Regional accreditation is # 1, # 2, # 3, # 4
2. Complete G.R.A.C.E. investigation and put this chapter behind them
3. Let Pettit be the spokesman (front-man) for BJU. Not BJ III who sometimes has “foot in mouth” problems (eg. solve homosexuality by stoning)
4. Find a soft landing spot for Steve Jones … find a place where his talents are appreciated and used.
5. Top to bottom review of majors. (They’ve been doing this).
6. Review the best way to impart spiritual formation (Northland did this successfully … more precepts … less lists). My view is that the heavy on the rules worked a generation ago … not so today.
7. Where Steve Pettit comes in: He’s been in hundreds (thousands?) of churches. He will be on the road most weekends recruiting from churches that esteem him.

For those that live in my world where we can’t imagine defining someone by a degree, I know this all might come as a shock that there are people that think a terminal degree is going to make the difference between success and failure in a CEO job (which is what this is). We just can’t really understand that. I am a business consultant and I can’t remember the last time my work was affected by what degree I have and where I went to school. I suppose it made a difference in my first job but not since then. The truth is that what really matters in the world I know is knowledge and a track record. In my other work as a professional musician, the same is true. What matters is how good you are period…

I get that the terminal degree would be nice as a status symbol. I understand that but on the other hand, it is an example of how lame and out of touch higher education can be where a degree matters more than results.

But then, I am maybe touchy about this because a young entrepreneur was in my office last week pitching a business investment deal. He told me early he had a business degree from a good school but could not tell me what his gross margin was. It was like a bad episode of Shark Tank.

You wrote:

For those that live in my world where we can’t imagine defining someone by a degree, I know this all might come as a shock that there are people that think a terminal degree is going to make the difference between success and failure in a CEO job (which is what this is).

Well said.

[TylerR]

You wrote:

For those that live in my world where we can’t imagine defining someone by a degree, I know this all might come as a shock that there are people that think a terminal degree is going to make the difference between success and failure in a CEO job (which is what this is).

Well said.

Would you say your job doesn’t depend on the degrees you hold or don’t hold? We must remember that president of a Bible college is more than a CEO, he is in ministry.

A degree certifies that somebody has undergone a course of study in a particular area, with an acceptable degree of success and comprehension. It doesn’t necessarily mean the guy knows what he’s doing. We just need to be aware that a degree doesn’t define a person’s potential. I am not saying a university President doesn’t need a college education; I’m just saying there are other factors to consider along with it.

aside, as a Citadel grad will he encourage BJ to set up a ROTC program. MBU has one.

[Kent McCune]

Not to pile on too much, but the president of Wayne State University, a major research university here in Detroit, is Alan Gilmour, former CFO and vice-chairman of Ford Motor Company. His highest degree is an MBA. He was hired for his leadership ability, financial acumen, ties to local and national business leaders, fundraising skills, etc., not for his academic achievements or standing.

The big difference I see here is that Alan mentioned above worked as a chief officer of Ford Motor Company. That would obviously allow him to have leadership credentials.

According to bju.edu, Steve Pettit’s leadership qualities/management experience are as follows:

The Steve Pettit Evangelistic Association has many facets—in addition to the team members they employ, there is a publishing division called Heart Publications, a number of trucks and campers in which the team travels and lives in while traveling [sic] on evangelistic campaigns, and multi-media equipment. All of this—combined with the summer evangelistic and camp ministries, as well as the Cross Impact Ministries—requires a diverse portfolio of management skills.

I like the hire from a strictly “where they are at” mindset within Fundamentalism - they have someone who has national outreach in their certain niche. I have spoken to several people outside of the Bob Jones fold here in Greenville, though, and they think it is silly. I know this has been mentioned before, but looking strictly at North Greenville, Furman, Clemson, Greenville Tech(!), and other local colleges, it seems a little lacking. I do believe it will be a good hire if they are still able to pursue regional accreditation.

In my opinion, the hiring of an evangelist that has no terminal degree just gives the impression that there will be more of the same from the school or maybe even back-tracking. In other words, I think all of this is just a reaction to the rules driven ways of the 70’s and 80’s and how that simply doesn’t work today (as someone else said earlier). I have never met Mr. Pettit and I’m sure he is a fine man….I wish him the best as President. He may do well in this position and I hope he does though I don’t currently have a vested interest other than as an alumnus. The thing I am disenchanted with is that Christian schools (both colleges and high schools/elementary schools) seemed to have forgotten the fact that they were educational institutions. Some years ago they started acting more like churches that also taught classes in other areas. With the cost of an education being $20,000-$30,000 per year, the students should be assured that the institution’s top priority is to provide an education..but they should educate in light of Scripture. Education became the far secondary priority and they started acting more like Christian-reform schools that wanted to turn out cookie-cutter Christians that talked, walked, and looked the same. We can look back now and see that rules-driven institutions do not guarantee mature Christians. Thus, there has been a backlash to such institutions. This is what I believe we are seeing in this thread. People are asking if an evangelist with little educational prowess can come in and actually ensure that the students will get a quality education for their investment, or will he take them back to the rules-driven 1970s and 1980s? I pray he is a leader and educator with a discipling heart.

Somewhere in this thread someone commented to the effect that one of Pettit’s top priorities should be to work on building up BJU’s “brand.” Interestingly enough, BJU has a page on the website that provides the “History of the BJU Brand”:

http://brand.bju.edu/about-our-brand/history-of-the-bju-brand/

How many traditions of man screen out powerful, well qualified men? Moody had only a 2nd or 3rd grade education. Would you consider him for a university President slot today? I agree that Steve will do an excellent job. Steve has been out on the road where the prospective students are. BJU turns out godly, zealous workers-church members. I know some personally. Yet right or wrong BJ is not known for turning out penultimate teachers, church planters or missionaries. Maybe Steve can change that. Maybe an evangelist can do what the stable of scholars and professors has not done.

5 years ago with Maranatha the issue of terminal degree was discussed here (re Marty Marriott)

http://sharperiron.org/filings/9-30-09/12249

Jim, this undermines the idea that a terminal degree is essential for successful academic leadership! I think Maranatha has had a few successes since 2009 (tongue-in-cheek)! If you have a good team, you can do very well. Maranatha is a good example of that.

It is also hilarious to see all the prophesies of doom and gloom from that thread, and see how the university is thriving now. Give the new leadership at BJU the chance.

[Ron Bean] In it’s beginning, Bob Jones College was branded as a liberal arts college where Christian parents could send their children to protect them from having their faith stolen by godless secular schools. (See “Three College Shipwrecks” by Bob Jones Sr.) In the 60’s and into the early 80’s it was the branded as being one of if not the largest Christian liberal arts university. Hopefully Steve Pettit will help define the brand, stabilize the situation, rally the troops, and address needs like academic accreditation and identity.

BTW, the introduction of inter-scholastic sports has exposed many to the realization that there are other Christian liberal arts universities and colleges out there. Now that they’re fellowshipping in athletics maybe they need to compare notes. After all, I understand Brody the Bruin attended the announcement of the new president.

Ron, that was a really interesting link. Thanks for posting it.
Just as an FYI to everyone - my use of the term BJU’s “brand” isn’t intended to be perjorative or a slam…just to note that Mr. Pettit will be representing the entirety of BJU and it’s ministries to various stakeholders and constituencies.

[FredK]

Yet right or wrong BJ is not known for turning out penultimate teachers …

Penultimate teachers? They’re not the last teachers you would want, just next to the last!

In my opinion, Marty Marriott has strengthened the financial position of MBU by reassuring the support base that MBU will remain board-ruled and staunchly fundamentalist.

I’m not so sure that his strength has been academic leadership. I see a similar situation with Steve Pettit. He strengthens support for BJU because of his broad connections as a revivalist ( I have a stricter [and more I would argue, more biblical] definition of evangelist).

I have many friends on staff/faculty at MBU still. I wouldn’t call them thriving until they are able to compensate their staff at a reasonable level.