Campbellsville University Chair of Board, Dr. Joseph L. Owens, issues statement on KBC relations

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (07/11/2014)(readMedia)--

The following statement has been issued by Dr. Joseph L. Owens, chair of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., in response to a statement issued by the Kentucky Baptist Convention late Friday afternoon.

Campbellsville University responds to KBC statement

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – "Campbellsville University is disappointed by the decision of the Kentucky Baptist Convention leadership to issue the statement relative to decisions that may be under consideration by the CU Board of Trustees," Owens said.

"We are saddened by the decision of the current KBC leadership to move away from the traditional relationship that we have enjoyed with past KBC executive directors. Campbellsville University has not changed.

"The Campbellsville University Board of Trustees is firmly behind President Michael V. Carter in his leadership which has resulted in CU being at her strongest position in her distinguished and rich history," Owens said.

In further reaction to the KBC statement, Owens stated, "Over the course of the past few weeks, we have experienced a significant deterioration in our ongoing relations with the current leadership of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Today's statement is further evidence of this.

"The KBC leadership has chosen, on KBC letterhead, to launch criticism of CU Board and senior administrative leadership that is unfounded and that evidences an apparent desire on the part of the KBC leadership to exercise undue control and influence in the ongoing operations of Campbellsville University."

Chairman Owens further commented, "Campbellsville University has not changed. CU remains Christ centered, Baptist related and church connected. During the 2013-2014 academic year, there were 280 professions of faith in Jesus Christ as a result of CU-sponsored services, Bible studies, chapel services, campus revival and missions outreach.

"During this summer, we have a large number of CU students involved in missions trips and ministries and church-related service. CU is preparing to send a group of around 35 athletic coaches to Costa Rica for a mission trip, and mission teams have been in Haiti, Ghana, Ireland, and around the state and region.

"The Campbellsville University Board of Trustees adopted 'Vision 2025-Preparing Christian Servant Leaders' in August 2009 as a blueprint for the future. Vision 2025 affirms CU's commitment to Christ-centered higher education in the Baptist tradition.

"We are committed to Vision 2025 as the long-term plan for the institution. As we continue to be a place where academic excellence is emphasized, we remain committed, more than ever, to preparing a generation of Christian servant leaders who will serve in their chosen professions as 'salt and light' for Jesus Christ.

"We have desired to have a dialogue with the KBC leadership that would help lead to a new partnership and relationship -- one that would retain our proven commitment to Kentucky Baptists while protecting academic freedom and institutional integrity. We have requested a dialogue on a continuing partnership, and we stand by that position," he said.

The statement from the Kentucky Baptist Convention can be found at http://www.kybaptist.org/2014/07/11/campbellsville-university-considers-violating-covenant-agreement-kbc/.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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Posted Friday July 11, 2014 at 10:02 pm by Campbellsville University
Last Updated Monday July 14, 2014 at 09:48 am