Tuesday, October 17, 2006

A Prayer for the Asbury Board Today

Father, we pray for the board today as they meet to resolve the crisis at Asbury.

We ask you to give them all extraordinary wisdom, that they may see possibilities unseen
We ask for insight, that hidden thoughts may be seen openly
We ask for objectivity, that biases will yield to truth
We ask for a merciful spirit, that all of us might obtain mercy
We ask for selflessness, that the greater good might be achieved
We ask for courage, to do what needs to be done
We ask for humility, for we are all but dust

We ask for your grace to inundate the mediator, President Greenway, Chair Jim Smith, Vice Chair Dan Johnson, the members of the Executive Committee, and those on the broader board. May they make a sweet smelling savor in your presence today,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

7 comments:

Matt Guthrie said...

amen

Kris Nordstrom said...

And all God's children said, "Amen."

Ken Schenck said...

This from Peter Kerr now:

"The board meeting in Atlanta started a little later than planned, at about 1130 am ET, and is ongoing right now. I have been told President Greenway has been invited into the meeting, though he cannot bring in any council. He will get a chance to make a speech, but there are strict rules against many other forms of communication (for instance, he cannot ask questions). I hope and pray the Board Chair's limiting the discussion in this manner is the best way ahead, and I will do my best to keep you posted on events.

Regardless of your perspective, please join me in praying for our Lord's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Father, we your children approach you in humility. We know that division is not your will, even as your Son prayed for our unity in John 17. We know that you hold the universe in your hands, and we ask that you especially will hold the board meeting in Atlanta in your care today. Please grant our leaders wisdom, gracious speech, open hearts, warm attitudes, and forgiving spirits. Please make the decision a united one, and make this meeting more about future wholeness than past division, and more about the future of your institution than personal feelings or egos. Please rain your grace upon the meeting so that when the board members leave they will know they have not just heard a dispute among humans, but that they have known your will and acted in accordance with it. Glorify thy great name in the board meeting today, in the actions it recommends, and in our lives as we also seek your highest will and reconciliation with each other. We beg that your will be done, that your healing reigns on campus and in the hearts of your people, and that your name be glorified in all we do at Asbury. It is in the name and will of our Savior Jesus Christ that we pray, amen.

your brother in Christ,
Peter A. Kerr"

Ken Schenck said...

Update at 1:30 from Peter Kerr:

"It sounds like President Greenway took less than half of his alloted 1 hour to deliver his words to the board. He is now waiting outside the meeting area, as the issue is now in the board's hands. He has agreed to being 'available' the rest of the day as needed. Dr Andringa's testimony has not yet been requested.

I do not wish to comment on the specifics of what is being said, but instead I plan to wait for the official report from the board that Dr Johnson said he would write. I do plan to report the structure of the proceedings, as a way to keep people informed on how best to pray."

Anonymous said...

Ken, do you know if it's typical procedure that President Greenway would not be allowed to ask questions? Just curious.

Christy Lipscomb

Ken Schenck said...

Christy, I'm frankly just happy that they invited him to speak! We have word now that the meeting is done and a decision has been made. I don't know what the decision is, though. I'm waiting for the official posting and then I'll made a new entry with the communication.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Greenway and his attorney had ample opportunity to ask questions, call witnesses, cross-examing board witnesses, and present evidence at the investigative committee hearing on Oct. 10. This is when the major work would have been done. Reams of information came from that which the trustees reviewed for Oct. 17. The purpose of the meeting today was not to "re-hear" the whole issue, but for the Board to discuss the committee's recommendation in the light of their own reading of all the information, then also to get a solid hearing of Dr. Greenway's position--kind of a closing argument and appeal. But the Board meeting today was to deliberate, not to keep hearing more claims and counter claims.