Regents Cut Oral Roberts University Loose from the Ministry

Posted On
11/27/2007

Regents Cut Oral Roberts University Loose from the Ministry

According to the Tulsa World, the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents has officially voted to separate the school from the ministry that founded it. It also voted to accept president Richard Roberts’ resignation, and will begin the long search process for a new president. The actions came after a long series of allegations, legal actions, and revelations that seemed to multiply over the last few weeks. Richard’s resignation will spare him the painful process of the investigation, although some have suggested possible civil or even criminal penalties pending
the outcome of the court cases.

Perhaps the most positive event of the day was Mart Green, whose family started the Hobby Lobby and Mardel Christian Store chains, has stepped in with a major financial gift of up to $70 million to bail out the school from it’s financial debt. During Richard Roberts’ presidency, the Tulsa World reported that the school had fallen into more than $50 million in debt. This remarkable financial donation will give ORU a much needed second chance at survival.

For a long time I have hoped the separation of the school and ministry would happen – I’m just sorry it came under these miserable circumstances. The ministry gave birth to the school, and while Oral Roberts was president, the ministry was the major funding source. But times have changed. Since Oral’s retirement (and actually some years before that) the ministry has shrunk, the income has fallen, the television program has a much smaller reach, and Richard has not been able to provide a compelling vision that would cause donors to give. So the tail has indeed begun to wag the dog. Plus, I’ve always known that there were many who wanted to support ORU, but weren’t interested in supporting the ministry. But for the longest time, if you sent a donation to ORU, you received a ministry partner letter in return, and somehow found yourself on the ministry mailing list.

So this will hopefully allow people to donate wherever they choose, and from this point on, ORU will create a professional development program, rather than it be tied to the ministry fundraising efforts.

In reading the posts on various blogs on the web, hearing from ORU insiders, and knowing ORU personally, I think an even bigger event happened today. The culture of fear that has enveloped ORU for decades has been lifted. Now, the school is free to pursue its destiny. Professors, staff members, and students can feel free to have a voice in the future of the university without fear of retribution from the top. The day to day functions can move forward from an academic mindset, rather than a ministry mindset. I hope and believe that the school will remain true to it’s spiritual heritage and calling, and perhaps the events of today will help it more than we think.

Pending the outcome of the investigations, I also wish Richard Roberts the best. I assume he’ll continue as the President of the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, and continue to be the lead evangelist working for the ministry. I actually think today’s decisions will give Richard a freedom he’s never had to pursue his calling, rather than his father’s. At 60 years of age, perhaps we’ll now find out what Richard is really capable of from a ministry perspective, and in that, I hope he’ll do very well.

It’s a new era for ORU, but we have to realize this is the beginning, not the end. If you’re a alumni, supporter, or someone reading this at random, I would encourage you to let your approval be heard with your prayers and a financial donation to the university. Nothing will confirm to the Regents that they made the right decision like the financial income getting back on track.

And for me, I hope the Regents select a new president that has respected academic credentials, is a gifted fundraiser, understands people, is a strong leader, and most of all – has a compelling vision for the future of ORU. If that man or woman is out there – and I believe he or she is – then the future of Oral Roberts University is assured.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 8:43 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Bart

Well said Phil. Those echo my feelings in many regards as an alumni.

With the separation of the two organizations, I hope the Board of Regents itself will quickly begin to reflect the academic nature of the Institution and balance out the ministry heritage. I think both belong.

I also note that the gift offer, which is an amazing development from someone outside the situation, comes with 8 million up front and then contiingencies as to progress along the lines of what many have said in terms of the need for reform.

I think, for what it is worth, that while this seems like a huge sigh of relief and probably relief from the level of intense scrutiny, that more needs to happen. I still think Richard and Lindsey need to be removed from the BOR for the university and with the separation in organizations perhaps that will happen. I think there's still a time of accountibility coming in the wake of investigations and those need to be followed through upon and the news made appropriately public if the steps takien are to be seen as legitimate.

The steps taken however currently are good signs and hopeful indicators of what is to come.
http://www.chrisbusch.com Chris Busch

I understand from press reports that Lindsay stepped down from the Board of Regents about one month ago. Oral and Richard are still Lifetime Spiritual Regents, but do not have a vote concerning University business.

As an alumnus and former VP at ORU I am pleased to see the changes announced today while at the same time I'm aware of how difficult this situation must have been on the Roberts family. Oral always treated me well, and the talk we had after I resigned from ORU is still the context I use when trying to determine if someone is a big person. Oral is a big person. Flawed like us all, but a great man.

From a Pentecostal background where education was shunned, he broke free and built a remarkable university. Organizations go through stages of development, just like humans and other organic life. In the founding stages, it's usually a strong, stubborn, dynamic and charismatic leader needed to bulldoze the obstacles and maintain an almost militaristic authority structure that is geared to "take land" and conquer opposition.

But as organizations mature, their leadership needs change as management becomes more important to build stability and excellence. Rather than a singular Patton-like personality, a maturing organization requires someone less individualistic. Somebody who is more team minded. Like Phil Jackson. Still strong, but a consensus builder. This also leads to changes in the rank and file as people whose main talent was carrying out the edicts of the founder give way to people who want more autonomy and insist on having input and being respected as leaders in their own right.

It's hard for a founder to embrace the change needed to move on to a professionally managed organization, because it requires a cultural shift that is foreign. I hope Oral will be able to embrace the difficult changes announced today and realize that his successor is ORU (not another human), and for the university to flourish he must let go of his life's work and entrust it into the hands of others. But like I said, Oral is a big man, and I believe he will once again show his stature in blessing this new era at ORU before he passes on.

Richard inherited an organization beset by problems in 1993. He made some progress, but he also made some enemies as did Lindsay. And neither had the stature of the founder to garner the respect needed to run a militaristic organization. The culture of the founder simply could not be sustained by anyone else. And not knowing any other way, Richard did the best he could for as long as he could. But the university languished because the old culture could not carry her into a glorious future.

And I think that is the pivot point here. To survive and have any hope to thrive there had to be a cultural change. And for that to take place there had to be a leadership change. I don't know if any of the charges attached to the lawsuit are true. Most seem rather dubious to me. I think the lawsuit was just a catalyst that brought long standing organizational flaws to light.

And now today the seeds of a new era have been planted. How they are tended and watered will be telling in the years and hopefully decades ahead.

I'm with you, Phil. I hope Richard will find his personal destiny and will flourish as never before. He tended the tiller at ORU for 15 difficult years. He made mistakes, but he also did some good things. And he piloted the ship to this place in history where a new captain can be installed and a new culture can be infused.

It's a day of hope, a hour of healing, and a time of new beginnings all the way around.
Bart

Chris,

I'm really glad to see your comments and what you say makes a lot of sense to me.

I'm not in the position as a grad from '85 with no stake in the institution beyond that as a student, to have to be as dipl;omatic as you and I'm not as kind perhaps in my assessment of what is happening. But with a base of experience from having been there and subsequent training at the Graduate level in Organizational Leadership, much of what you say really rings true.

I don't think anyone could at the time Richard stepped into formal leadership in 1993 (that decision was announced in 1985 when I was there) replace Oral Roberts and the organization itself was so integrated with OREA becasue Oral was the driving force behind both.

I think there were greater resources available to be used and culture changes to be integrated than what were availed to by those involved.

It's tempting to just make some nostalgic comments now and pass by as if the problems are solved and the issues now simply academic. Issues of integrity and toxic leadership go deeper than simply sluffing them off on models and transitions and I still think there are issues here that have to be addressed and resolved before healing can be declared. I hope for the sake of all involved they are addressed and not simply swept under the rug.

Apart from the conclusions I've come to since that time in terms of how much of these issues are part and parcel with the prosperity gospel and the culture it engenders, I don't wish more pain upon Richard and his family and I hope that he indeed, however he moves forward establishes an identity that honors God and grows from this experience.
http://www.marked35.blogspot.com Mark E

No one will deny Orals legacy and ministry….but I dont think a university should be named after anyone,especially someone who is alive….all our feet are made of clay.

Maybe a change of name would also help perceptions, enrolments and donations.
http://www.pressgroup.com Gene Gregg

As someone with two degrees from ORU and serving five years on staff, I am one of many whose existence has been forever changed by the impact of ORU on my own personal life. Notwithstanding all the drama over the last few months, I have never been prouder to be an ORU graduate than I am today. Since I live here in Tulsa, and am on the Alumni Board, I get out to the campus frequently. Ocassionally, I attend the chapel services. What a beautiful bunch of students. Their passion for God is so obvious and so powerful. And that's when I remember what ORU is all about. Encoutering God. Building relationships. Things that are more important than buildings or academic programs. And, I see that, in many ways, ORU is more on track than it has ever been towards becoming what God has called it to be, in spite of the problems.

I was glad to see the alumni take their stand alongside the faculty to request separate leadership for the University, a change which seemed long overdue. But, the difference between a home run and a long foul ball is timing, and it was truly amazing to watch as the the events unfolded day after day in a very fluid, dynamic process. It was clearly on God's schedule for these changes to occur when they did.

As a board, we have wanted for many years to see the University work towards greater financial transparency and accountability, and we are finally moving in that direction. The Alumni Foundation, which is a separate non-profit organization, has had this kind of strict financial oversight since its inception.

What greatly disappointed me were the requests of a handful of alumni vitually demanding that the entire Roberts family be banned for life from participating in the future of the University at any level of influence. Hasn't this family already suffered enough humilation and embarrassment? I have lost count of how many lawsuits are pending, but I know of at least three that are in process and all that could take months if not years before they are finally resolved.

The school needs the blessing and the spiritual covering of the ministry that produced it. Although I am an advocate of separate leadership for ORU and was delighted to see the Regents validate that sentiment, I feel that the continuation of the Roberts family as influencers of the school's future is a good thing. You separate the creation from its creator and the creation usually dies.

I encourage alumni to get involved by praying for the university, encouraging prospective students to attend ORU, giving a donation from time to time, and coming back to the campus for Homecoming once in a while to rediscover why ORU is such a special place. This February would be a great time to do exactly that.

Gene Gregg
Bart

Gene,

I'm not aware of anyone on the Alumni side demanding the stepping back of influence of Oral Roberts as seems to be inferred by your statements above. I for one believe that until the investigation is complete, given the circunstance that led to the resignation of Richard, that it is inappropriate for Richard and Lindsey to actively sit on the Board of Regents that is responsible for the investigation. That's just common sense and integrity.

I've since come to learn that Lindsey has stepped down and that Richards seat is as a "Spiritual Regent" with no active vote and that allays my concerns although I still think the appearance of impropriety in that regard should simply be set aside until such time as the investigation is complete, the lawsuits resolved and then at that time determine the appropriate actions in that regard.

The Roberts' are due a great deal of respect and even benefit of the doubt to some extent, but translating that to active power is a part of this while toxic leadership and environment of fear in terms of leadership that has been in place for years.

I admire and am encouraged by your comments in every other regard and it gladdens my heart to know that so much good is happening and the views of an important participant in the Alumni Association, I hope as an alumnus myself that loyalty to any person doesn't trump integrity and accountibility and that there is a clear distinction between honor to be given which is distinct from leadership authority. The two are not the same. Part of the reason, this situation has arisen, in my opinion has been confusion on that point.

Bart
Paul Forrest

Let me throw a name into the conversation of a man who might be able to play an important role in the rebuilding of ORU…Terry Law. He is committed to the vision. An ORU graduate. Well respected around the world. Not sure what degrees he holds?
Good Commentary

Latest Story

Phil, you are slipping…. You don't have this latest news up already?!?! 8o)

From the Tulsa World on the Green family.

Very good article.

Quoted from Article:

‘‘We think the biggest issue is not the finances. That’s not the root problem. It is the lack of trust, and that’s a spiritual issue,’’ Green said.

Very bold statement. But worded in a very good manner. You want to talk about PR? This soft-spoken man with powerful words looks like he could really be a huge help to the image and to the function and to the financial repair of the university!

(notice he did not say "God told us to do this and…." – but do you think that even a billionaire family would give 70M without seeking God's face? He did complete a 40 day fast at Thanksgiving. Very good presentation. Very believeable. A great step to increase trust in the institution. NOW the BOR needs to agree to bring him in. That will be a very good move.
Good Commentary

Uggh I had trouble again posting a link behind text… What am I doing wrong? In the above post, it should have had "From the Tulsa World on the Green family" as a link to:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071129_1_A1_spanc08424
AmeriKan

Gene, your comments are very encouraging, insightful and above all, spiritual. A breath of fresh air in spite of many of the other comments I have read on this sight. I share your sentiments for ORU, the Roberts family and what our collective concerns should really be all about.

I also fully agree that the Roberts family should still have some kind of influence with ORU…at what level, I am not sure. It was their vision, their labor and their gifting that produced it. Our two daughters are ORU alumni and I know they are equally concerned for the future of the university. I believe prayer IS making a difference. Above anything else, is the protection by the Board of Regents and the involvement of the Alumni Association to insure that secular influence does not get a foothold and destory the mission of this spirit-filled Christian university…that being Oral Robert's mandate to, "Raise up your students to hear My voice and to go where My light is seen dim, My voice is heard small, and where My healing power is not known–even to the uttermost parts of the earth. Their work will exceed yours and in this I am well pleased."
Tova

Mart Green is a study in credible presentation: Low profile, clear and direct words, no over-the-top attempts to make people percieve him as spiritual, insistence on integrity while demonstrating it. People don't have a problem trusting someone who has the know how, listens to sound counsel and considers the facts, is sparing with his words and promises, and is willing to acknowledge wrongs and to do what it takes to make them right instead of level accusations.

Green is already demonstrating what was sorely lacking, as well as what it will take to get the university back on course. Interesting, Oral's madate to start the university stated that his students' ministry would exceed his own and in that God was well pleased. As difficult as this situation was for all involved, it appears to have been the very catalyst to enable those words to come to pass. The students are his successors. It never was about one family or one man. The plan was always bigger than that. Finally, some Big Picture thinking is engaged. I sincerely hope it will be allowed to run its course. If so, ORU has the potential to become a stellar example of making the hard choices to change in order to be equipped to fulfill it's purpose to promote a life-changing message in various arenas and professions.

TS
Virginia Turner

Here is my replay. DO NOT TAKE THE MINISTERY OUT OF ORU!!! So what if Oral, Richard and Linsday made people mad. OUR University is bulit on the fountion of The Holy Spirit. You take that out and it well be nothing but another university. Don't give in to wat satan is trying to destory. Because I can tell you this God will not let it happen. You see the Broad of Regents does not own OUR. God does.

Now we have taken God out of our schools and look what has happen. There more durgs and gangsand more kids getting killed then there were when God was in our schools.

I pray Dear Jesus That you cover Oru with your love,grace and mercy. I pray that satan nevr wins this battle. And I pray that the Broad of Regents start looking towards you and not towards the money that might come in if they take You out of ORU. I pray that the Broad of Regent will not take any money from people who want you Lord out of there. I pray that the Broad Of Regent do not get greedy. I ask all this in you name Dear Jesus. Amen Amen.
AmeriKan, aka Phil

Virginia, sounds like something William Seymour from the Azusa Revival might have written…not the most eloquent but definitely the most profound, spiritually, of anything posted on this subject. God did give us a mind to think and rationalize sensibly but far too often in these matters we lean to the arm of the flesh and our carnal thinking rather than to the Spirit through prayer and listening for the voice of God, especially in high profile situations (ORU). This is why I feel all of the fringe chatter only clouds and confuses the issue (to the public). In the final analysis, God's will, will be done because the major players are seeking God for the answers and intercessors like yourself (Virginia) are doing their part. The rest of us are just
"in the way" like spiritual busybodies.
Victory

Learn to pray for people know matter who they are. God called us to be interserrors and not gossip patrol officers. Remember it was Jesus Christ and his unmerited grace that saved us and it is Jesus Chrsit and his unmerited grace, that will keep us.You wanta be forgiven, then forgive. if you judge you will be judged. Ask God to help you to deal with your issues, instead of dwelling on someone elses issues. Take a look at yourself and the areas you need to change and ask God to help you change. You need me. i need you. We need each other. Lets esteem one another in Jesus name!
Bonebrake

It’s funny with what affection many of us former ORU types remember that University. It was and is a flawed institution, like all earthly endeavors, but there was always an excitement there. I know there can be again. Good, hard-working people with a passion for souls and excellence seemed to find their way there. And, you could feel in the air the desire to create something good and lasting. I know many people outside the University saw it as some type of personality cult, and there were times that was a concern. However, for the most part it was good people trying to do good things. I will be praying hard that these recent moves result in a long and prosperous future for Oral Roberts University.
John Stableman

If I had Richard's ear and trust, I would tell him these things:

1) Let Lindsay be on air with you, minister to women, be a great wife and mother, but get her out of management. Let professionals (inside or perhaps outside) drive your strategy and communications and listen to them. Remove the barrier she has created internally. This will build your team, increase moral, improve the work, and be a good witness to the staff and community.

2) Refine your personal vision. If it is a healing ministry, then make that happen, get out of town.

3) Revisit the daily program. Is it working, standing on it's own? If not, do something different. Be you. Be what God created you to be.

4) I am not going to tell you to stop flying on private planes and move to a smaller home. But someone should come beside you and help you look at each of these things and determine a God-strategy for your life and lifestyle. Find that person.

5) Be the best alumni supporter ORU has.

6) It's time to tell dad to stop fighting your battles and running the ministry from a distance. You'll need a team of people he trusts with you when you do that because he has always mowed right over you alone. You are 60 years old. You need to either run OREA and grow it, or go start something on your own. Draw a line in the sand.

7) Understand you are a man of God, you have gifts and talents He wants you to use. Once you stand up and take authority — and not bow to the wishes of your dad and your wife — you'll see things happen.

You have more fans than you know.
Phil

I received this e-mail from an ORU faculty member this morning and it says a great deal:

"The faculty response to yesterday's announcement was a sigh of relief and a renewed hope. Driving to work this morning the buildings looked a little fresher, the vision more focused. The faculty hope that we will develop a more transparent form of governance and the finances will be handled in a professional manner. This next year will be critically important to the University as it assesses its strengths and charts a strategic course. We certainly ask for everyone's prayers and support through this time of transition."
http://www.chrisbusch.com Chris Busch

Bart,

I agree with you. Yesterday was a beginning. There are a lot of changes ahead and many will be painful. Turnarounds are tough in any organization. Usually many in leadership don't survive the transition.

But yesterday was a distinct change of direction and as Phil's comment below from a faculty member indicates, it's the first time many have dared to risk hope in some time. I sense most people are guarded in their hope, which is understandable and reasonable.

I think the climate and the culture are set for change. Now much will depend on the resolve of those chosen to lead.

But an unexpected $70 million is certainly reason to take a brief pause to give thanks and celebrate, eh?
Bart

Chris,

No question about it. There is much to celebrate and there could hardly be more to have been wished for in the last 2 days than the announcements made both in terms of the structure and the provision in this amazing gift.

Despite my obvious misgivings from my vocal comments here in the past few weeks, I still care very much for ORU and I am grateful for the education I received, formally as well as by observation on my own while there.

Most of all. I'm delighted the faculty has finally united and that their voice is being heard. It's about time, is all I can say.

My prayers are guaranteed and if I ever finish getting my own 5 children through school, some support may be forthcoming in the future as I observe and hopefully see some of this good foundation better built upon.

Thanks for the gracious response.

Bart
AmeriKan, aka Phil

Most of the above, I agree with and welcome the insight. My only connection to ORU/OREA is financial giving for many years and our daughters are both ORU alumni. Our daughters have fond and lasting memories of their days at ORU….it has made them the wives, mothers and professionals they are today, not to mention, better Christians. One met her lifelong partner there…he, an alumnus as well.

I'm not sure what the $70 million donation by the Green family means…could be a double-edged sword. On first account, sounds "miraculous" but my greatest concern is the "control" this could produce from outside sources. Back in the early 80s, I interviewed for a professional position at the City of Faith hospital, which I did not accept. In my observations then and, now, from my daughters' perspective, I have come to learn that many positions, faculty and otherwise, are held my nonChristians or Christians who did not share the spiritual vision of Oral Roberts for the university. The charismatic, Christian atmosphere combined with sound academics is and has been the drawing force to the university for students worldwide. I hope and pray that this God-ordained university does not fall into "more secular hands" and take the direction of previous Christian colleges like Oberlin in Ohio that was founded and started by Charles Finney. Oberlin has gone so secular they nolonger even have a theology department.

Yes, giving is paramount from all of us who love ORU. It was Oral's seed-faith teaching of the 60's that has enabled my family to be the givers we are, today. That teaching in so many ways changed my life. Because ORU is the vision of OR and followed by RR, I have absolutely no problem with either of these men continuing with the BOR. If that, somehow, would not work out, then I pray a successor to RR will continue the vision of OR for ORU with new, progessive leadership that will propel this great university more than ever into the 21st century.
Good Commentary

This news is very good. I am one of many unspoken that agrees with your assessment, Phil.

These were some of the very critical pieces in the puzzle, I know I mentioned before in another thread, that I was concerned that even without Richard as the president, ORU was owned by ORM, and that there was certainly some concern for how far-reached change might be in that situation.

There of course is still the issue of board members that are on both boards, but I think that will change with time, and certainly cannot be as abrupt of a change as all these other steps of change.

I commend the board for making these very tough decisions, and encourage them to continue down this path.

Even with all of this change, there still will be consequences. I would hope that now that there is some separation, that the University will have separate representation than Richard in court. Possibly the University may be able to settle with their portion of the current litigations, but since I am not a lawyer, I'll have to just keep that as a hope until I find out otherwise. Maybe someone here will have an idea as to how that could work.

Brian, I hope to hear from you soon, if nothing more than to say that you are doing well (or not), and requesting us to keep praying for you… which you don't have to do… I for one have been keeping you on my mind and in my prayers.

Yes, there is still a hard road in front of ORU, but now that good faith is being shown, I believe that many alumns that have not supported the school in the past, may do so in the near future. But changes will still need to be made, and transparency to the alumni will still need to be there in the newsletters. Not fund-raising rhetoric, but what the school is accomplishing, what they are trying to accomplish, and what they need help with…. Not a pretty picture, but an un-edited raw photo of where ORU is.
Brian

Thanks so much for your prayers. Yes, please keep praying for everybody.

My hope is that now I, along with Richard, can focus more on the ministry side of things. I have done a lot of things for ORU over the years (chapel programs, sports, classes, spots for the television station) and sometimes the ministry has taken a side seat. Now, perhaps there are new avenues we haven’t, for time or expense, been able to pursue. But we have a lot of prayer and re-organizing to do over the coming months. I’m plugging along now but the future is an exciting uncertainty.

Concerning ORU: The Green’s gift is exciting but the strings, which includes pressuring that some of the BOR resign and that they put two of their family on the board, has me a little wary. It must be the Oral influence in me. Plus, it was the art/craft people that probably built the Trojan horse (heh-heh).

Seriously, thanks again for your prayers.
Bart

Interesting.

As more comes out of this $70 million dollar gift, a contingency tied to further giving beyond the first $8 million includes two permanent seats on the Board of Regents of ORU from the Donors family.
Mary Hutchinson

I loved seeing this headline on AOL:

Troubled School's
Prayers Answered

Even the world sees that this gift is a miracle of God.
Phil

So let me get this straight. You are "concerned" about receiving a $70 million gift because the donor wants some of the board to resign (the board that got them $50+ million in debt) and be replaced with family members of one of the most successful businessmen in America? Sorry, but I'm just not seeing a problem here…
Bart

Phil,

Accepting all you've said is right, doesn't anything in the scenario of making Board of Regent seats for sale overtly give you just a little pause?

I don't know enough to give an informed opinion on that although my initial response is that all the changes requested are positive and enabling to better days ahead.
Mary Hutchinson

I agree with Phil on this one.

If I had that kind of money to give, I would want to make sure that the money would do the most good –which can only happen with better management than ORU has right now from the board down.

This family knows how to manage business. They are committed Christians. They have no personal or emotional ties with anyone involved–so they are objective.

Sounds like accountability to me.

The "string" is reasonable, and more than that, it's smart.
Bart

It's not the character or integrity of the family that concerns me, although maybe it's just that I don't have the information you do.

There's a precedent being established. Organizationally I know that Board of Regent seats at Universities and non-profits go to major contributors all the time. I've just never seen it stated out in the open overtly as a condition of the gift. Maybe I'm naive.

I'd be hard pressed to say no. I just hope with the salvation of the moment the seeds aren't planted for new problems down the road.
http://www.chrisbusch.com Chris Busch

It's pretty important from a large donor standpoint especially when taking a risk by giving to an organization with a poor management track record.

Here's why. As a board member you are legally entitled to information about the University, all of it. As a donor alone you have no legal standing to know all the details. I like the fact that Mart Green was very open about this condition. In the past this may have been brokered behind a veil of secrecy.

Could this create problems down the road? Yes. But that is a risk that ORU must take right now. It's part of the cost of allowing the organization get into its current predicament.
Bart

You've convinced me. Thanks for the response and explanation. I was missing some of those elements in my thinking.
Good Commentary

I think you are a good person, Brian. I surely hope and pray that your strong charecter traits remain – loyalty, service, genuineness – through ther rough times that are still not complete. I want to encourage you that if your path changes from what you expect or hope, do not lose hope, remain faithful to God, and trust Him first.

LOL on the trojan horse dig…

Really though, back up your perspective a bit, and consider that sometimes we develop defense mechanisms that don't allow us to easily see things afresh. What is happening with Green is really a "buy – in", but a buy-in of a non-profit nature. It is as if he wants to be wise with his money, and yet he feels compelled to help. It very well may be that he both wants to help financially, as well as help with his own skillsets and non-monetary assets. It does make sense, in the way that when you purchase stock in a company, you get votes on major decisions of the corporation. There are even hostile takeovers where the buyer takes over a majority of the shares. This is more like a friendly buy-in where the buyer just wants to have some say, to have the power to be abreast of the decisions, to have the influence to make recommendations.

It very likely is NOT an ill-intended move. And in my opinion, if I had 70M to give, and that is where I was supposed to put it, I would want to have some input.
AmeriKan, aka Phil

Phil, I tend to agree with Bart on this one. My family has been in the farming/ranching business for five generations. Not everything that sparkles is gold. Even with the perception of a man's best intentions, there can be hidden agendas. That is purely good business sense and wisdom. "One of the most successful businessmen in America," does not qualify a man to be a major player in directing the affairs of a Christian university. That would be like asking Bill Gates or Rudi Juliani to come oversee the operations of ORU…not a wise move. In view of what all has gone on over the past six months, anyone and everything should be suspect or at least handled with much prayer and discretion.

It was Kenneth Hagin Sr. who told the story of a man who wanted to give a sizeable sum of money to Rhema Bible Training Center. In prayer, the Lord told Hagin, "No, do not accept the money." Hagin did not and later found out that had he accepted the money, the control and direction of Rhema may have been changed forever…because of this particular donors hidden motives. I have seen in local churches where individuals have given sizeable contributions/offerings, only later to exert control over the pastor and congregation to the detriment and sometimes downfall of the church.

No, I think it behoves anyone in this situation of ORU's to proceed with cautious optimism and seek out thorough legal and spiritual counsel.
Brian Sinks

Thanks again for your kind words. Can we hug over the internet? You're right, I ran out of time (I've been very busy until right now) and didn't explain my perspective thoroughly enough. [Didn't mean to upset you Phil. Your words seemed to scream at me off the screen.]

AmeriKan decribed above my concerns better than I did. In the past, I've seen hard working people start their ministry and have someone approach them with a much needed large "gift" of money. Some time later, they came to open their offices and found all their hard work had been removed (stolen) because the giver thought they were entitled to it.

Here are some things that I haven't seen mentioned (though these responses can really string along). ORU BOR Chairman George Pearsons announced first to the ORU/OREA community Tuesday night, the Greens gift of $8 million (plus a seperate donar's $2 million gift) and Green's "proposal" (for the remaining $62 million) to the BOR because Mart Green was about to have a press conference in the next room to announce his gift. Chairman Pearsons tried to put this into a bigger perspective when he immediately followed the cheering by stating that there were 2 other such presentations for giving funds to ORU – and they were prayerfully considering all of them.

The Greens sound like great people. I have no reason to doubt their sincerity. They offer some great potential for ORU – but only if this is God's will. I've found God's will is not usually where the money flows the freest or the biggest. But don't I wish it were the opposite.
Brian Sinks

Another of the three proposals to ORU BOR has come to light in the Tulsa World. Pat Robertson, who ORU gave the law school years ago, has given money (could be the other $2 million) and is sending a team to ORU Monday to help the BOR and administration:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071130_1_A1_hHesa61316

A couple notes on the contrast to the media blitz by the Green's gift:

- Chairman Pearsons reported this and answered the TW questions.

- Pat has not rushed to have a press conference to disclose it (yet).

- His team is coming to offer support and advise.

- He's offering this free with no strings attached (from what I'm aware of).

I'm not saying one is right or wrong. I just wanted you who are praying to have the facts and perspective of those in the (almost, but not dead) middle of this.

Phil Cooke

NEXT SPEAKING EVENT:

Regents Cut Oral Roberts University Loose from the Ministry

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