On March 20, 2006, the monthly preachers/elders
meeting occurred at the Hillview church of Christ's building.
Over 70 concerned preachers and members of the church met with
the new president of Ohio Valley University, James Johnson. Dan
Kessinger of St. Mary's, W.Va., organized and moderated this meeting,
and those who attended were able to ask Johnson about the direction
in which OVU is going.
Johnson started his part of the meeting by giving
the audience some background information on himself. He was raised
in a preacher's family and has preached some himself. In college,
he studied education in order to become a professor. Johnson has
worked with several universities, including Lubbock Christian
University, Odessa, Texas A&M, and Georgia University. He
worked with LCU on two different occasions; the second time he
was a vice president.
Johnson also spoke of his philosophy in approaching
Christian education. He stated that three things will happen while
he is at OVU: chapel will be required, all faculty will be members
of the church, and all students will take Bible. He then stated
his mission was to "transform lives for the kingdom."
After this, there was a lively session of questions
and answers. Terry Varner of Marietta, Ohio, started the questions
by asking if OVU was going to separate from the "change agents"
in the church. Varner mentioned specific names of those who have
had and currently have connection with OVU. Johnson answered that
he did not know the people and situations of which Varner was
speaking. Mike Moss, the head of the Bible department at OVU,
was one of the men Varner mentioned. Johnson stated that he thought
Moss was sound and conservative. Johnson said he could not "repent"
of OVU's association with those labeled as "change agents"
because "I don't know what I'm repenting of." He continued
to say that everyone in the church needs to repent of creating
factions.
Charles Pugh of New Martinsville, W.Va., asked
if OVU would publicly commit to baptism, a cappella music,
male leadership of the church, and maintaining that the church
is not a denomination. Johnson said, "James Johnson believes
in all these things," but went on to say that he could not
speak for the university. Phil Grear of Springfield, Ohio, asked
if faculty who did not believe in baptism would be retained, and
Johnson answered that they would not. Kessinger also asked if
Johnson could dismiss faculty over these issues, and Johnson said
he could. He then explained the system he would have to go through
to dismiss members of the faculty who did not uphold the tenets
Pugh mentioned.
Other questions were raised concerning a capella
music and the division in 1906 and Abilene Christian University's
apologizing to the Christian Church for that division. Johnson
made it clear that he did not agree with these things but did
not comment concerning how OVU viewed what is happening within
the brotherhood.
Glenn Hawkins of Massillon, Ohio, asked if OVU
would be able to restore confidence in members of the church in
the area. Kessinger brought up cases stating that evolution was
being taught as fact, as well as present-day miracles, in classrooms
at OVU. Johnson answered that if this occurs, the faculty member
who teaches these things will be terminated. Other cases concerning
false teaching occurring at OVU were presented. Johnson said that
all the cases he was aware of have already been addressed.
Many brought up questions concerning the OVU lectureship.
Arnie Goodnight of Moundsville, W.Va., stated that a separation
occurred 20 years ago when OVU had unfaithful speakers on their
lectureship. Denver Cooper, of Moundsville, added that the past
administration had ignored the local churches and preachers who
had concerns about speakers at OVU's lectureships. Johnson responded
by saying that he was embarrassed by last year's lectureship and
has considered canceling lectureships altogether in hope that
maybe lectureships could start afresh later.
Johnson was also asked to comment on several rumors
circulating concerning OVU. Concerning the rumor that the student
body was less than 50% members of the church of Christ, Johnson
explained how these figures cannot be trusted and that the student
body made up of 18 to 25 year olds is over 50% members of the
church of Christ. Concerning the rumor that OVU would dissolve
its Bible department, he stated that it was completely false and
that OVU is not trying to dissolve the Bible department, but rebuild.
Johnson also confirmed that OVU has hired a full-time campus minister.
Johnson also addressed questions asked by Eddie
Cooper, Jeff Rich, Don Cline, John Board, Mark Weaver, and others.
Some of these questions dealt with similar topics that Johnson
had already addressed. Other aspects of OVU questioned were its
singing group, Express, its involvement with Summit, and whether
or not concerned parents and preachers could observe classes.
Johnson answered questions for almost two hours.
After Johnson spoke about the reorganized PACE program and the
new graduate program, he closed by stating, "I am not asking
for your money; I'm asking for your prayers."
No doubt all the Christians in this area need
to pray for OVU and its new president, James Johnson, during this
time.
To receive a tape of this meeting, e-mail the
Hillview Terrace church of Christ at dirwvsop@aol.com -1009 Amherst
Rd NE, Massillon, OH 44646. jack@christlinks.com
Editor's note: Jack is the preacher for the Massillon
church of Christ, Massillon, Ohio. He is a graduate of West Virginia
School of Preaching, Moundsville, WV.