Updated: Matt Olson rehired by Northland
Is this a circus or a professional college? NIU is doing nothing but harming their reputation and leaving people to wonder what in the world is going on up there. I’m not trying to be malicious, honest! But seriously, what is happening up there?
The termination of Matt Olson, the “Friends of Northland” petition, now the re-hiring of Matt Olson. I would expect this kind of organizational madness from a high school student council. I honestly and sincerely wish NIU the best, whatever they are doing …
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
Video available at: http://new.livestream.com/northlandu/chapel
Notable quote: “The executive board has extended an invitation to Dr. Matt Olson to resume his role as our president and continue in the direction in which he has been leading. We believe that this is in the best interest of NIU during this important time of our history. Thankfully, Dr. Olson has humbly and willingly agreed to continue in this position.”
[TylerR]Is this a circus or a professional college? NIU is doing nothing but harming their reputation and leaving people to wonder what in the world is going on up there. I’m not trying to be malicious, honest! But seriously, what is happening up there?
The termination of Matt Olson, the “Friends of Northland” petition, now the re-hiring of Matt Olson. I would expect this kind of organizational madness from a high school student council. I honestly and sincerely wish NIU the best, whatever they are doing …
First, you need to watch the announcement first.
Second, you’re evaluating this completely from a human perspective. If you think of the actor as God, is changes your perception. God enjoys revealing that it’s all about him and not about us. In this situation, that took revealing in no uncertain terms Matt’s humility by putting him in what humanly speaking was an awful situation. But in the tone of conversation that followed [it’s all about God and not about us] , he could work even more clearly to continue the work begun.
[TylerR]Is this a circus or a professional college? NIU is doing nothing but harming their reputation and leaving people to wonder what in the world is going on up there. I’m not trying to be malicious, honest! But seriously, what is happening up there?
The termination of Matt Olson, the “Friends of Northland” petition, now the re-hiring of Matt Olson. I would expect this kind of organizational madness from a high school student council. I honestly and sincerely wish NIU the best, whatever they are doing …
- Apple did that with Steve Jobs … but it wasn’t so fast!
- Steinbrenner with Billy Martin
Watching the chapel recording now. In addition to announcing that Olson has been invited back as president, and has accepted, current chairman Howard Patz said that Daniel Patz (the one behind the Friends of Northland petition) has been asked to become the new chairman of the board, replacing Howard. Howard also explains that the board was supportive of the changes, and that the action to transition Olson from the presidency was over the declining finances.
Greg Linscott
Marshall, MN
I am not trying to be malicious, but at the same time I do have both eyebrows raised at this strange reversal.
Second, you’re evaluating this completely from a human perspective. If you think of the actor as God, is changes your perception
Yes, I understand. Perhaps you’re correct, but, paradoxically, God’s providential hand never absolves men of their own decisions (Acts 2:23). Sure, God can be said to be behind the NIU reversal-reversal. Still, I am left wondering what is going on! Wish them the best.
Caio!
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
[TylerR]Is this a circus or a professional college? NIU is doing nothing but harming their reputation and leaving people to wonder what in the world is going on up there. I’m not trying to be malicious, honest! But seriously, what is happening up there?
The termination of Matt Olson, the “Friends of Northland” petition, now the re-hiring of Matt Olson. I would expect this kind of organizational madness from a high school student council. I honestly and sincerely wish NIU the best, whatever they are doing …
Tyler,
I see this exactly the opposite as what you’ve stated. To me this shows an immense humility on the part of the board. Organizations aren’t perfect. At times they mess up. A decision like this demonstrates that they are willing to swallow their pride in order to do the right thing - in this case it was to re-instate Matt Olson.
As a result of this decision our church will continue to support Northland through sending our teenagers to the camp in the summer months. In days ahead I can see us sending students there as well. I’m just one pastor, but I have to believe there are dozens of others out there like me who have been watching this matter, and are now rejoicing in this wonderful news.
Dan
[TylerR]I am not trying to be malicious, but at the same time I do have both eyebrows raised at this strange reversal.
Second, you’re evaluating this completely from a human perspective. If you think of the actor as God, is changes your perception
Yes, I understand. Perhaps you’re correct, but, paradoxically, God’s providential hand never absolves men of their own decisions (Acts 2:23). Sure, God can be said to be behind the NIU reversal-reversal. Still, I am left wondering what is going on! Wish them the best.
Caio!
Why not take them at their own word when they say that they realized that they were wrong? God humbled them, and they submitted.
Our eyebrows should be raised not because human behavior is so strange but because God is so kind as humbling us.
TylerR:
Again, please watch the announcement before evaluating what’s happened.
I’ll try to make my point clearer:
1. I wish NIU the best
2. I applaud their courageous decision to reverse course on Dr. Olson, if they prayerfully believe it is truly for the best
3. I am happy those who support NIU are heartened by the change
4. I am saying that the fact they made such a momentous mistake in removing Dr. Olson in the first place, only to now re-instate him betrays a crisis of leadership.
5. Dr Olson is now under more pressure to perform than ever, having been fired then re-hired within two weeks. He needs prayer.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
Tyler, you have very large eyebrows to raise, and they seem to be so high already. How do you raise them any more?
[jcoleman] Why not take them at their own word when they say that they realized that they were wrong? God humbled them, and they submitted.Our eyebrows should be raised not because human behavior is so strange but because God is so kind as to humbling us.
+1
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
They’re figurative eyebrows, so they can go pretty high.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
[jcoleman]“The executive board has extended an invitation to Dr. Matt Olson to resume his role as our president and continue in the direction in which he has been leading. We believe that this is in the best interest of NIU during this important time of our history. Thankfully, Dr. Olson has humbly and willingly agreed to continue in this position.”
THIS is NOT a crisis of leadership.
THIS is leadership in action. True leaders are never too proud to admit when they’ve made a mistake, and take the necessary, and often hard, actions to correct the mistake.
I have a greater amount of respect for NIU than ever before…
Everyone wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes.
Discussion