A 'correction', not a 'crisis'
Posted March 30, 2007
Asbury Seminary trustees chairman Jim Smith downplayed problems at the school in an interview with the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader. "This is kind of a correction period. It is not a crisis."
The paper did not interview Curt Bechler, Asbury Seminary's crisis management consultant (His web site is: www.vicrisis.com)
Recently, in a memo to Asbury's faculty, staff and students, Bechler wrote:
"The days ahead provide an opportunity to model a renewal and growth process that provides students with an educational perspective on how to deal with crisis and conflict in a healthy fashion."
Earlier, seminary spokeswoman Tina Pugel also described Asbury's situation as an internal "crisis."
Asbury Seminary facing financial strain, other woes
By Karla Ward
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
WILMORE -- Asbury Theological Seminary, one of the nation's largest institutions of higher education for those entering the ministry, has continued to struggle in the wake of a flap last fall over the departure of its president.
The Wilmore seminary is now dealing with financial strain and an investigation by its accrediting agency.
"This is kind of a correction period," said Jim Smith, chairman of Asbury's board of trustees. "It is not a crisis. The seminary is not about to close or go through major problems."
With more than 1,600 students, Asbury is one of the foremost evangelical seminaries in the country and is particularly important in Methodist circles because of the many Methodist ministers it trains.
"It probably has more United Methodist students than our largest three or four United Methodist seminaries combined, which makes it very significant," said James V. Heidinger II, president and publisher of Good News, a Wilmore-based ministry aimed at renewing the United Methodist Church. "One of the great strengths of Asbury Seminary is the substance and the theology of the program they provide."
Asbury is projecting a deficit of more than $2 million for this fiscal year, but Smith said a surplus from last year could help winnow the shortfall to about $500,000 by year's end.
Comments
The paper did not interview Curt Bechler, Asbury Seminary's crisis management consultant (His web site is: www.vicrisis.com)
Frank, isn't it obvious? They would have to interview the Correction Consultant. It isn't a Crisis. Just keep repeating that to yourself until you believe it. Drink some more Kool-Aid.
When valued faculty abandons ship, and memos warn to seriously tighten belts....
When a formerly brilliant reputation is at an all time LOW, and endowments have dropped to near nothing. When external investigations continue, confidence is bottomed out, and fall-out threatens the financial solvency of Board of Trustees affiliated churches. When admissions plummet, and normally held celebrations are cancelled due to lack of funds, then I believe this is called a big'ole crisis.
Spin semantics like "correction period" and "situation" are aimed at those who possess IQs below 40.
Oh and Dr Greenway's administration provided a million++ buffer for this Board Of Trustees induced crisis? Hmmmmm
If he were still in office
then this CRISIS would be non existant? Hmmmm
It begs the long standing question....Dr Greenway was railroaded because?????
Most of us have IQs over 40...
Truth now....come clean.
Does the word MISTAKE register?
How about "We're sorry".