Updated: Matt Olson rehired by Northland

I’m not accusing anyone, but I do want to suggest something: if a firing and rapid rehiring (plus a board shakeup w/a new chair who is outside the school’s doctrinal parameters) had occurred at BJU or PCC or Hyles, would we be lauding the amazing humility of the board?

I have no reason to doubt the board consists of humble guys, and I’m not looking for answer, just suggesting some reflection on that question might be edifying.

We are all more biased than we realize and in matters like these… well, let’s just say that to relatively disinterested observers, there are “interesting” inconsistencies. (Though I’ve really been trying to watch as little as possible)

[Aaron Blumer]

I’m not accusing anyone, but I do want to suggest something: if a firing and rapid rehiring (plus a board shakeup w/a new chair who is outside the school’s doctrinal parameters) had occurred at BJU or PCC or Hyles, would we be lauding the amazing humility of the board?

I have no reason to doubt the board consists of humble guys, and I’m not looking for answer, just suggesting some reflection on that question might be edifying.

We are all more biased than we realize and in matters like these… well, let’s just say that to relatively disinterested observers, there are “interesting” inconsistencies. (Though I’ve really been trying to watch as little as possible)

I know you’re not looking for an answer, but I think an important part to note is the 1.) way the board made their announcement and 2.) the openness about making the decision.

BJU has reversed decisions before too (though perhaps not this big of one), but there tends to be a lot more shrouding of it. The change just happens; no announcement is made. That’s a very big difference.

[Aaron Blumer]… (plus a board shakeup w/a new chair who is outside the school’s doctrinal parameters)…

I’m not following. Where is the information saying that the new chair is outside of the school’s doctrinal parameters?

I’m impressed. they’re not perfect, but they reversed decisions in a timely and open manner. great example for those students. hopefully now, their other changes will also be clearer.

With all the trial balloons floated and retrieved and pictures/videos posted then retracted, this recent turn of events is par for the course, perhaps even the culmination of this style of “leadership.”

I think James addressed this approach to leadership succinctly: “A double-minded man (group of men) is unstable in all his (their) ways.” ~ James 1:8

I’m not discounting that great humility has been displayed. It certainly has. But to claim that this turn of events is indicative of solid leadership is beyond the pale.

Doug

But to claim that this turn of events is indicative of solid leadership is beyond the pale.

It depends on who you are considering to be “leadership”- the past or the present group in power. I am no advocate of the trajectory of the ministry philosophy at NIU. But Olson did handle the immediate situation there about as well as anyone who believed as he does could, and continued to use his influence even as the days were winding down and the deadline neared. Daniel Patz certainly appears to have been effective at assembling a support base of positional supporters (it remains to be seen if there will be financial backing accompanying them) to confirm the direction for the foreseeable future. Yes, the actions of the board leading into this communicate instability and uncertainty (and potentially conflict on principles between them- but that is not something that can be said with certainty based on public information). But the actions of the people currently holding the reins seem to have been focused on achieving their goal and holding the course they had set- and like the course or not, they seem to have been successful in keeping things on their intended course.

Those of you making statements that NIU demonstrates instability by reversing a decision demonstrate you apparently are disconected with various teachings in Scripture directly and indirectly connected to decision-making.

1. God himself, who does not change, on a variety of occasions determined to reverse a path - Hezekiah’s extra 15 years, Not destroying Ninevah with the Jonah situation, not destroying Israel as a result of the appeal of Moses, etc……..

2. Frankly there are many times within the Scriptures that believers are taught how to make an appeal. Furthermore the Scriptures teach leaders how to recieve an appeal. It may very well be here that Godly men and women made a Biblical appeal to leadership at NIU and responsible leaders Biblically listened and were open to God’s leadership.

3. Frankly the accusation of NIU’s reversing a critical decision being “beyond the pale” is in and of itself “beyond the pale.”

4. Most of you making these kind of statements reveal you are separated from the realities of leading a ministry.

5. Actually this decision does not demonstrate the wavering of an opinion but a solidifying of a decision, direction, etc…..fankly NIU just assessed who they were, counted the cost and stiff-armed the self-appointed fundamentalist “politbureau”…. and they did that with much more grace than I probably would have been able to do.

I for one applaud them - loudly!

I would say more - but I think I’ll leave it at that.

Straight Ahead!

jt

From what I could tell listening to the both speakers and the material is that 1) the board was apparently okay with the direction that NIU was heading. Let’s be honest many of these changes have been going on for many, many years. Yes the recent ones have been more extreme, but the board appeared to have been well aware of the direction over the last 11 years. 2) the removal of Dr. Olsen appeared to be financially driven. They seemed to be okay with his direction but were struggling whether he was the right leader in order to correct the financial condition and steer the ship. And honestly not everyone has the same skill sets. Most CEO’s are very visionary and they need a very strong CFO to keep them in check and to drive the financial aspects. 3) for some reason, not entirely clear they decided that their decision was wrong. My guess is that they came to the conclusion after some more discussions that the issue may not have been entirely with Matt, but more with the support he was receiving. 4)they reinstated him, but also realized that the financial issue was still a great concern. This is probably why they created this secondary steering committee to support Matt. Bring in some financial wizards to help steer these types of things correctly. I think everyone is glossing over this fact, but I think it is an important decision that they made. They also changed the Chairman, to again fill in some level of skills gap that was needed to support Matt.

I think from Matt’s perspective he should be happy, because there could be no more clearer message from the board (regardless of the flip flopping) that he has their full support. This is not even close to the only time that boards have flipped flopped. And having served on a number of boards myself the decision making process can become quite fluid. In general I am pleased with the direction of NIU (although not entirely on board with all of their music decisions), but I think the way that Matt presented himself after the first decision was truly a unique way to see this, and frankly was probably foreign to many. It was the sign of a true leader.

But isn’t Daniel Patz the pastor at an Evangelical Free church?

[Greg Linscott]

Daniel Patz certainly appears to have been effective at assembling a support base of positional supporters (it remains to be seen if there will be financial backing accompanying them) to confirm the direction for the foreseeable future. Yes, the actions of the board leading into this communicate instability and uncertainty (and potentially conflict on principles between them- but that is not something that can be said with certainty based on public information). But the actions of the people currently holding the reins seem to have been focused on achieving their goal and holding the course they had set- and like the course or not, they seem to have been successful in keeping things on their intended course.

There’s been a definite and noticeable uptick in one of the NIU groups (Northland Pastors and Missionaries) on FB in terms of donating and specific donation points (the school is not asking for specific amounts - these were points agreed on by the alums). Many of the alumni are pushing each other to give and a few have commented that they hadn’t ever given since their graduation. Several are committing to support them on a monthly basis.

Will it be enough to offset the deficits? Probably not. But the alumni, at least, are putting their money where their mouths are (on both sides - a few have said they will not support the school, but they’re few and far between judging from FB replies).

Furthermore, it is entirely possible - and I’m speculating on this now - that many of the new Board Members will be selected with an eye towards bringing in donations. That is typically the function of an NPO Board.

I don’t know about Dan Patz’s affiliation, but I know that BJU has had a very cordial relationship with one or two Presbyterian churches for many years (Dr. P.V. Barrett taught there at one point, and Dr. Ian Paisley has spoken there many, many times and I believe is still on the Board).

[KD Merrill]

With all the trial balloons floated and retrieved and pictures/videos posted then retracted, this recent turn of events is par for the course, perhaps even the culmination of this style of “leadership.”

I think James addressed this approach to leadership succinctly: “A double-minded man (group of men) is unstable in all his (their) ways.” ~ James 1:8

I’m not discounting that great humility has been displayed. It certainly has. But to claim that this turn of events is indicative of solid leadership is beyond the pale.

Doug

Agreed 100%. Yes Dr. Olson and the board displayed grace and humility publicly throughout this mess.

But to commend them for their great humility as an example of “leadership” is extremely questionable, if not naive at best.

The simple fact is, this financial & PR mess never should’ve happened in the first place.

Right?

As I said above, if the CEO of an outside corporation had burned through the better part of $10M in cash, still has rapidly declining revenues, a major PR fiasco, a severely fractured support base, and the public perception of folding is very real, that person would’ve been fired - and not rehired.

[Mark_Smith]

But isn’t Daniel Patz the pastor at an Evangelical Free church?

Seems he is if this link is the right Daniel Patz. http://www.gracewyoming.com/index.php/about-grace

This sounds better all the time. The EFCA is one of the most conservative, gospel-centered associations of churches yet with latitude on secondary issues (yes, I know that for some there are no secondary issues and all truth is truth as they see it like a umpire). Let’s say there’s charity in areas of legitimate disagreement in areas where Christians often differ (baptism, eschatology, etc.) Of course I’m a little biased since our church is associated with EFCA and I’m a TEDS grad.

Steve Davis

So you would have preferred that NIU ran in the red until the very end without making any changes at all? Really? Let’s face it - it wasn’t like NIU was the picture of financial health before any of this started.

Better, I suppose, that one good solid fundamental school close than we lose it to ‘them’ (whoever they are).

[Mark_Smith]

But isn’t Daniel Patz the pastor at an Evangelical Free church?

Yup. And I don’t have a problem with that. E-Free churches are baptistic. in their doctrine. Separatationally, they are similar to conservative Southern Baptists…

Dan’s love for Northland is quite evident. His passion is contagious (evidenced by the response to his letter). NIU needs strong leaders who complement the leadership of Matt Olson. I’ve seen what can happen at a school when the Board/President/Faculty/Students are on different pages. NIU needs to have a single-minded focus if they are to survive. They have reaffirmed the direction of the school. I pray that God will bless them and use them for His Glory.

If you disagree with NIU, then I pray that you will pray for them and rejoice that the Gospel is preached and lived (Philippians 1:18).

Is comparing a Bible college president with a CEO a fair comparison? We have had others here at SI who work in education and acknowledge that students are not the biggest supplier of an institution’s income, and decisions to hire and retain people are directives that one man does not necessarily make the call on himself. Not to put too fine a point on it, either, but how much unanimity does your extended family have on things when you all have to get together and make decisions? As a pastor, I’ve seen families try to make decisions for funeral arrangements and who gets what at the end. Things can get elevated in crisis moments, and discussions heated. That board is dominated by an extended family. That has to be taken into account.

Again, I don’t affirm the direction. I do think that there are some a little heavy and appear more self-congratulatory than they may realize by heaping praise as they are. But I also think the critics reveal their bias to a degree, as well, by the terms they use to describe the situation.

The book is still being written.