Boards of Directors of three residential schools plan governance matters

Wed, 30 May 2012 - 2:37 PM CST

The Boards of Directors for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), Central Bible College (CBC) and Evangel University (EU) met Friday, May 25, to consider governance planning for the consolidated university. These plans will be included in the application, which will go next month to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

MISSION STATEMENT

The board approved the submission of a mission statement formulated as a result of an 18-month process, working with various committees and faculties of the three schools - the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Central Bible College, and Evangel University. The adopted mission statement is: "Evangel University is a comprehensive Christian University committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to become Spirit-empowered servants of God who impact the church and society globally."

The core values of Truth, Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism and Compassion were included with the mission statement.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PROCESS

The three boards also approved a presidential opportunity profile, which will guide the presidential search process. There will be a search for the university president and a separate search for the president of AGTS, who will also serve as a vice president of the university.

The Presidential Search Committee will be inclusive of all major publics of the 3 schools (i.e. Board, faculty, alumni, student body, donors, faculty and staff). The Dingman Company, Inc., of Westlake Village, California, will serve as consultants for the university presidential search process.

The boards approved this plan to be included in the application, which now goes to the HLC.

TRANSITION OF CURRENT PRESIDENTS

AGTS - Dr. Byron Klaus was commended for his years of stellar leadership as president of AGTS. Dr. Klaus has expressed his willingness to be a candidate for consideration for that same position by the Presidential Search Committee.

CBC - The Board of Directors of Central Bible College has requested to take the 2012-13 academic year to honor the life and service of Dr. Gary Denbow. They also are being asked to establish the CBC Foundation, which will secure the school's assets and provide financial support to students in ministerial training. It is also recommended to the CBC Board that Denbow be elected to serve as president of the CBC Foundation.

EU - Prior to consolidation planning, Dr. Robert Spence had announced his intentions to retire in the spring of 2014. In keeping with that decision, it has been recommended to the Evangel Board of Directors that they plan celebratory events during the 2012-13 school year to honor the 40 years of outstanding leadership and legacy of Spence. It was further planned that a sabbatical program be offered to Dr. and Mrs. Spence during the first year of consolidation (2013) in which he also will counsel the president-elect of the consolidated university.

At the inauguration of the president-elect in the fall of 2014, Dr. Spence will be inaugurated as chancellor of the Evangel University.

The three boards of directors approved the above plan to become part of the application, which will go to HLC next month.

For more information on the consolidation of the three residential AG schools, click here.