Board of Directors approves new relationship for schools
By Tony W. Cartledge
BR Editor
ASHEBORO - The Baptist State Convention (BSC) Board of Directors approved a recommendation May 22 that would create a new relationship between the BSC and its five affiliated institutions of higher education.
Supported by the schools and coming from the BSC's Council on Christian Higher Education (CCHE), the proposal had been affirmed by the Executive Committee on March 6.
CCHE chair Jesse Croom said the presidents of Campbell University, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, Mars Hill College and Wingate University all support the proposal, which calls for the schools to begin electing their own trustees over a four-year period while phasing out all direct financial support from the Convention. A scholarship fund, to be administered by the BSC, would continue to aid students from BSC churches who wish to attend the schools.
Brian Davis, who is executive director of the CCHE as part of his role as the BSC's executive leader for administration and convention relations, spoke in favor of the proposal. Davis said issues of governance and finance for the schools have been matters "of discussion and distraction" for the past 50 years. The council "desires to address the issue once and for all," he said, giving both the institutions and BSC new levels of responsibility and freedom.
Richard Hicks, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, asked what assurance school leaders could give "that when you've passed off the scene it will still be a Christian and Baptist institution."
Representatives from four of the five schools were present. All spoke of Christian commitment as a basic element of their school's identity and said there are no plans to change that.
Davis said the proposal would need to be approved by messengers to the Baptist State Convention. The process will take two years, he said, giving the CCHE and the schools ample time to address and publicize further details involved in the process of transition.
The Board voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal, with just two or three negative votes apparent.
