Harding and Christianity Today
Some wonderful parodies of the Mac/PC commercials here.
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Congrats to my alma mater.
I just picked up my newest copy of Christianity Today, the leading evangelical magazine, and there was a large ad from Harding in there.
I love the statement that makes, welcoming people from Baptist Churches, charismatic churches, Lutheran churches, community churches, etc.–all Christianity Today readers–to Harding’s community. I’m proud to see my alma mater openly embracing and affirming this core Restoration value (“Christians only, but not the only Christians”). I receive this as good news.
For some this ad may be surprising, but not for me. I know the spirit of many people there who are teachers, administrators, and staff — so many who don’t believe that our tribe is THE tribe. And they realize that the future of some of “our” colleges depends on recruitment beyond the borders of Churches of Christ. So . . . good move. (It’s also possible that this isn’t the first ad there and that it’s just the first one I’ve seen.)
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Another semester has ended. Well, it’s ended for me. I’ve taught my last class. For the students there is that one last issue of the final exam. No big deal.
What a privilege it is to get to tell 18/19 year olds about Jesus — his life and his teaching. That’s what life is about, isn’t it? For those of us who believe this “metanarrative” (that the overarching story of life is about how God had come in Jesus Christ and is seeking through him and the power of the Holy Spirit to save and heal this world), this the core.
Speaking of Harding . . . the older I get and the more I teach this class, the more I appreciate that I was at Harding while Jim Woodroof and Terry Smith were at the College Church. I can still hear Jim preaching from John’s gospel. I can still see the worn out pages from Terry’s NIV around the gospel of Mark.
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(Bonus study aid for any of my students reading: In that last hour before the final when you’re cramming, put your notes down, pick up your Bible, and read Matthew 5-7 again slowly, slowly.)
Good for Harding! But what make me sad is many of those who believe that our tribe IS the only tribe will strive to be a thorn in their side simply because of their inclusiveness.
I don’t mean to be exclusive, but the above “tribes” ( wish that word would go away) all teach different things. Does it not matter?
Sure that wasn’t an “evangelistic” advertisement?
Chris – True, but they teach “Christ and him crucified.” Does much else matter besides that? (Mike, I listened to your Nov. 5 sermon podcast on the way into work today … can you tell?)
I think it matters how one gets “into Christ” Each ‘tribe” has it a different way.
I agree Chris!
Great videos! Being a Mac person, I appreciate them even more.
I am a Harding Graduate School alumni and in that sense can appreciate what the ad says in light of restoration history.
Peace.
Chris – Isn’t it really Christ who “gets into us?” When did it become primarily about what we do (instead of Christ transforming our way of life)? Don’t we know whose lives have been transformed by Christ by the “spiritual fruit” displayed in their lives? I think we do, and I have seen this fruit in peoples’ lives across the “tribes.”
That’s all I’ll say about this … it’s off-topic anyway.
About that final—my roommate’s bible teacher is giving a review monday night for anyone in her class that wants to come. I thought that this was a splendid idea and you should look into doing the same thing…or something??? =D
See you this afternoon!
Chris wrote:
> I don’t mean to be exclusive, but the above “tribes” ( wish
> that word would go away) all teach different things. Does it
> not matter?
I think everything “matters.” But the implications of differences vary depending on the issue. Not every difference necessarily blocks fellowship.
> I think it matters how one gets “into Christ”
Agreed. That is a fundamental teaching. But we have split a few hairs in that area that perhaps did not need to be split (for example, obedience with partial understanding is still obedience).
Crista – I think that’s wonderful. You can go to that review session. Unfortunately, I’ll be at the Highland staff Christmas party.
Happy birthday, and I’ll pick you up outside your dorm at 1:00.
(Note of clarification. This student . . . is my niece . . . celebrating her 19th birthday today.)
Not to throw cold water – brrr its cold in Searcy today. HU continues to grow through its graduate programs – undergraduate enrollment is off and the pool of “our tribe” prospects is gettting smaller and harder to recruit. In order to continue its amazing growth, HU will have to reach out to prospects in similar “tribes.” The ad in Christianity Today is an example of that.
Another note to my students: For some reason the study guide for the final didn’t go through myACU mail on Wednesday. I just recent it to everyone.
FREAKY!!!! The guy who plays the ‘PC’ in that parody studied Theatre with me at ISU – He directed a play that I Stage Managed! It’s such a small world – Thanks for giving me an opportunity to get back in touch with him!!!
Mike – My most vivid recollection of our time in College Station was of Jim preaching his “Four Realities” series. Reality #1 is still one of my life mantras. I still have the book somewhere. I see a lot of Jim in your preaching (both style and substance). Ah, for the good old days – when we weren’t so old!l
My feeling is that the COC is beginning to embrace the egalitarianism between orthodoxy (“right belief”) and orthopraxy (“right practice”). That “Christian” is defined less by assent to proposition than by conformity to the cruciform life. In my own walk, I employ a simple rule: Does this bit of doctrine make any moral difference? If it doesn’t, I deemphasize it.
Mike,
I don’t live in a dorm – I’m not your student [in university sense that is] – I’m obviously not your niece – so suppose you will not be picking me up in front of my house tomorrow when l celebrate my birthday.
Recently our congregation in Houston was waiting for the Lord to send us a preacher (or we were looking for one, depending on your point of view). At that difficult time, the congregation having heard enough of the elders preaching, Jim Woodroof agreed to bring his travel trailer to Houston and set up residence.
It was truly a gift. What did Jim do for us? Looking back, it was not unlike having John the Apostle come to visit you. He loved us, and told us — little children, the young and the old — to love one another. What a time of refreshment.
And he got us ready to receive the next gift — an MDiv candidate from ACU and his lovely Indian wife. (inside joke).
Michael
In more serious vein –
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CRISTA!
AND – good for Harding. From some comments I’ve read in months gone by, I fear there are many of us that may not be fully informed about some of the other “tribes” [I too dislike this expression!] core beliefs. Maybe opening our universities to more of them will give us a better insight and acceptance. Or maybe, it will turn into a learning process for all involved. Hmmmm?
I can’t think of anything that would please our God more than to see all His kids coming together in loving understanding – to see denominational walls be torn down as we search for God’s full truth together, praising and worshiping HIM rather than OUR church. The Church is His after all, not ours.
There are rumblings here in AR about the impact of Harding’s declining undergrad enrollment (masked at times by the inflated numbers from their extension programs). In several ways (including the banning of Jeff Walling, Mike Cope, Rick Atchley, etc. from speaking on campus) they have said, “We’re here for the true, conservative CofC people.” But those of us who read the Christian Chronicle realize this is a declining pool source. Maybe you’re right, Mike. Maybe this, the economics of the situation, will help bring out those instincts of undenominational Christianity that have been there are Harding from the earliest days. It really is a wonderful school, and the exclusivistic, denominational direction of this administration hasn’t changed that. There are lots of reasons that readers of Christianity Today might want to send their kids there (or to ACU, OCU, Lipscomb . . .).
Your niece, Crista, has been a gift to our family but specifically to Mary Kate. I know now that they were meant to be roommates and I am loving getting to know Crista. I love listening to Crista and Mary Kate banter. They are so funny! She will forever be a part of our family story and that part of the story was pretty crazy.
Happy Birthday Crista!!! You were sent by God to be a part of our lives. I thank God for you often.
Mike, I envy your ability to pick up your niece for her birthday. My niece is in your class as well, but I have to wait a couple of weeks to see her.
She was kind enough, however, to make me a copy of her notes from your class, which I quickly devoured. I don’t know how long you feel like teaching that class, but what are your thoughts on having a 55 year old Freshman? That’s 13 years away. Gonna make it?
See you at ZOE (at MY College Church) in January!
Interesting video clips. Not as good as the Mac/PC ones, imho. Some of the things they’re implying are wrong don’t seem wrong to me. Wearing a WWJD bracelet or having a bible cover is not the essence of Christianity for sure, but I’m not sure they rate the same level of scorn as making sure everyone can see your contribution envelope. Plus, I hate to see the term “Christian” being used to describe the fellow they’re making fun of, but I suppose in many peoples minds, those behaviors are what makes some people Christians. Ironic though, that both of the names they’re using really mean the same thing. Food for thought there.
We sang at the prison last night. The whole time we were there, listening to some inmates give devotionals, all I could think was,
“these men don’t really care whether we have instruments or not, whether we have one cup communion or not, whether we have Sunday School or not, they just want to know Jesus and him crucified!”
We could learn a lot from them!
Hasn’t Harding always welcomed people from other denominational backgrounds to come and study at the university?
What’s different about this?
I don’t get the excitement…
I would be a little bit excited if they would invite Mike Cope to come and speak on the very subject of “not the only Christians”. But inviting different denominations to come study under their profs isn’t a step forward for the university to me.
Every cofC in America welcomes the denominations to come study under them.
Help me out
especially if they’re paying tuition
Mike,
I love your love for the Sermon on the Mount.
My first few months here in Houston I would go to Starbuck’s every Monday morning after a long Sunday of preaching sermons and pastoring people. There at Starbuck’s I would try to get to know some of the regulars. But I would make it a discipline to read through the Sermon on the Mount every Monday morning. The Sermon on the Mount should begin with these words, “WARNING–ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! JESUS IS ABOUT TO TURN YOUR WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN AND INSIDE-OUT!!!” I would go into Starbuck’s usually tired, but joyful. I would leave holding my heart because Jesus did it to me again–He wrecked my life. I want to live into the teachings of Jesus. I want to live into His way of life.
My prayers go with all of the 18/19 years old as they hear these words of Jesus in a new setting and maybe for the first time. May Christ be formed in them.
Mike,
You had mentioned the ad from Harding in Christianity today, they also had one in the most current edition of the Youth Worker Journal!
Just thought you should know!
“Tribes?” Sigh….
As a Harding graduate, I find it hard to believe that the advertizement in Christianity Today implies anything other than that Harding realizes that it is hitting its maximum for prospective students in the Church of Christ, and is letting people from other groups know that it exists.
Harding is expensive. It’s going to be difficult to keep growing if they don’t attract people from diverse groups. What won’t change are the doctrinal standards for faculty.
I like the “tribes” term; reminds me of Israel.
I sat near a Baptist girl in my OT Survey class at Harding (many years ago). She was genuinely worried that she would face the dilemma of having to choose between putting the “right” answer on a test or writing an answer that was true to her beliefs. In other words, she feared failing — or not doing as well as others — because she didn’t toe the C of C line.
I throw that out there just for consideration.
Mike doesn’t get invited to speak at Harding? Really?
Happy Birthday Crista (after reading the comments I figured this was the best place to write to you – sorry Mike)! Sorry I am once again your procrastinating aunt (but I did remember – I did ask for your address, but I haven’t bought the card!!). Love you & I’ll look forward to seeing you at Christmas! Love, Aunt N.
Good for Harding!
Go PCs!
Why do we have to pick and choose ? It is so vital to know the gospel and what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. It also very important to tell as as many as we can what they must do to be saved. Some of the “tribes ” will not teach the total biblical response to the gospel. And then we teach about being tranformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
I meant , being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
I’ve heard several people talk about Harding’s declining church of Christ enrollment and a shrinking pool of prospective students. If you look at the stats this is not true. Every year numbers will shift up and down, but there is not an overall decline – for Harding or prospective church of Christ students in general. Now, maybe there are fewer CofC students now compared to the 1980s or some other time. But there has not been some huge drop in the last 10 years. If you combine the number of CofC students at Harding, OC, ACU, Pepperdine, York, LCU, and Freed for each year over the past several years. You will find each year only varying by about 100 students or so. Starting with year 2000 here are the totals – 2407, 2423, 2267, 2316, 2645, 2509, 2332. If anything we see an increase around the years 2004 and 2005.
Now, it is true that if any CofC school wants to grow larger than it already is, then they would probably need to look outside Churches of Christ to do that. Harding has consistently had the highest percentage of CofC students of ANY of the CofC schools over the past decade.
That’s my point – Harding conservatively has preserved the core of it’s support and crowd by targeting the mainline cofc crowd. Enrollment is actually increasing because it predictably isn’t moving much.
That doesn’t reflect on the teachers and some of the awesome profs – it just reflects on the conservative mainline cofc ‘position’ of the whole.
My point is they’re not changing a thing by reaching out to non cofc groups. They’ve been doing that – they’re just expanding their marketing strategy.
But don’t throw a party – this isn’t new.
Nothing’s new here that I can see. This is not embracing other “tribes” at all in regards to the leadership of the school – it’s simply an invitation to come study under their leadership.
I hope this isn’t taking the post in a direction Mike didn’t intend, but in large measure CofC Enrollment is right – what really, really, really scares the beejeebies out of COC Higher Ed administrators is not the number of COC students enrolling…it’s the declining number of COC members with PhDs who can serve on these schools’ faculty. Of course, one solution is to fill the faculty ranks with individuals without terminal degrees (even promoting them to dean if necessary), but most schools recognize that that is not a responsible, credible solution in maintaining a school’s salt and light influence on the higher ed landscape.
Praise God 18/19 year olds want to go to college, much less a Christian one:) Praying they will study the life of Jesus more than they study for final exams.
I agree with those who primarily see a financial reason behind the wider advertising. Harding has always been willing to take tuition money from whoever would pay- many of the non-CoC students are Searcy or Arkansas natives who are at Harding because it’s nearby, or through parental influence, or because it’s better than whatever the alternative is. But there can be a huge disconnect between what the student body believes/thinks, what they discuss in the home bible studies, and the ‘party line’ that is presented in chapel.
The number of CoC students simply doesn’t tell the whole story. 3000 CoC students in 2006 does not make the same student body as in 1986, because those students are coming from more inclusive churches and are more mainstream in many ways. Continuing to preach the uber-conservative party-line in required venues, like chapel and bible classes, will just seem more and more incongruous as fewer Harding students believe the same things.
So, for financial reasons- to maintain the growth level needed to justify the new facilities we’ve been building- Harding will continue looking for new sources of undergraduate students, even knowing that for those new students, Harding and it’s message are probably not the best match. And that will just continue to generate tension..
Jeff -
Here’s the difference. When you, as a Christian university, advertise in Christianity, the leading evangelical magazine, encouraging people to send their kids there, you are implying that you consider them to be Christians. That’s how it’s going to be read.
You are NOT saying, “We need your money, and we hope to convert your children to REAL Christianity Today — not the pseudo-Christianity they’ve known so far.”
You are saying, “We’re encouraging people to live out their lives in light of their commitment to Jesus. We know that you, too, are Christ-followers and we believe your children would be blessed by studying here.”
And the word “tribes”? Started with Len Sweet (in this context) as far as I know. Yes, I think he was working off of OT imagery: one nation of Israel with many tribes. Speaking of “denominations” tends to lead too often to the “we’re-right-and-you’re-wrong” perspective. So, I kind of prefer the language, even though it isn’t perfect. But it does make the point that we may be different but we are still part of the same body of Christ.
“You are NOT saying, ‘We need your money, and we hope to convert your children to REAL Christianity Today — not the pseudo-Christianity they’ve known so far.’”
That (here’s ‘real’ Christianity) does appear to be what’s said in a lot of venues on Harding’s campus. Maybe it’s as simple as an institution (purposefully or not) sending one message in to Christianity Today, and quite another around town here in Searcy.
I still hear Terry at Woodmont all the time. I loved Woodruff’s series on Corinthians. Those were good days!
If I had it to do all over again, I would not have attended ACU. I would have attended UT. I do not see the value of a “Christian education” in a bubble where reaching out means accepting Methodists or those who sing with instruments.
I know more “green” and socially conscious people that hail from University of Oregon (home of anarchy) than from Christian Universities. IMHO Christian education needs to adresss the here and now as the most important time or it will die.
I am a Harding grad and the years there were good and I have many happy memories. I do not agree with everything the current administrations stand on certain issues and I hope and pray that changes will take place.
It seems that on several blogs a lot of Harding bashing goes on in posts and in comments. That’s fine; everyone has an opinion. But today Mike makes a comment on something he’s happy the school is doing and even that gets negative comments about HU. In spite of the things we don’t like going on at Harding, there are many, many good things happening. Some of the things we would like to see happen are going to take time- even though it may not be as quick as we’d like. But let’s be happy about the steps forward and the good things going on.
I’m always happy to see Jim Woodroof’s name. In the early 90’s I got to take his 2nd Corinthians class; it’s tied with Dr. Ganus’ US History class as the best class I had at Harding.
I’m jealous you had Dr. Ganus for history, JMH. The times I’ve sat down with him to talk about world events have been almost graduate seminars. I can’t complain too much, though. I did sit in on several history classes with Ray Muncy, one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had in my life. (And he taught much, much more than history.)
I’m sure this isn’t worth pressing –
I was at the ZOE conf. in 02 – i think – when Sweet spoke with the tribe language and I’m fine with that. I really am. It was comforting to me in that time and over the next 3 years as I wrestled with keeping the name – dropping the name – and all the other aspects of that issue.
I also attended a Christian School in West Monroe, La where most of my teachers and coaches were Harding grads and most of my home congregation’s leaders were Harding grads. I’m still great friends with alot of the coaches and teachers there and I have family and friends who are students there today. I know there are many who think along the lines that you’re speaking.
Perhaps this is a move in the direction you’re speaking of…
If it’s not – that doesn’t bother me – they’re still a very very strong institution that provides thousands of students with outstanding education and great stories from a wonderful Christian college experience.
I think Harding is a great school – I just don’t believe they’re they embrace other denominations as Christians. Maybe some of the leaders beleive that – but the position of the school doesn’t appear to be that.
Great for Harding for running an ad in Christianity Today! Seriously – that’s a great move business wise and relationally speaking and I hope that is fruitful for them. It’s a great school!
I just don’t think it has a thing to do with embracing other denominations as brothers in Christ. If it does…great! If it doesn’t…great!
If I say anything remotely controversial on your site mike – blame it all on Eddie Parish.
Mike, thanks for your recollections of Jim Woodroof and Terry. They also had a HUGH influence on my spiritual life. I feel especially blessed that I got to spend some time with both of them one-on-one, as I imagine you did too. As great they are as preachers and teachers, they are even better men!
Let me amen what Mike has said about the influence of Jim Woodruff. It was rich being at HU in the mid-70′s if for no other reason than the feast on offer at College Church on Sunday nights. God knows I am so much better for it.
I’d have to say I disagree with CofCEnrollment about declining pools. True, the pool of 18 year olds is increasing over the next several years. However, the increase is mostly in border states indicating that increases are coming from immigrants. Many of these students are underprepared for the college scene. Also, many of them are financially unable to pay the price of a christian college education. The next several years will be difficult ones. As CoCEnrollment has mentioned, the numbers of “our” enrollments have really not increased that much over the last several years. And, yes, the Church of Christ population is declining according to a study done by Dr. Flavil Yeakley from Harding University. So what youi will see and what you are seeing is a dramatic increase in community college enrollments. The Church of Christ colleges must increase beyond “our” own borders in order to increase our enrollments.