Knowing your why: Is it Christian or church related?

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  Knowing your why: Is it Christian or church related?

  Knowing your why: Is it Christian or church related?

Know who you are and what you represent. There are colleges and universities serving with an emphasis as Liberal Arts, Engineering, Christian affiliation, and other private entities to name only a few. People who work in these environments should recognize heritage and embrace the mission.

Grant Teaff was an example of someone who understood the mission of the University he served. He was the head coach at Baylor University from 1972 to 1992. His teams won two Southwest Conference titles and appeared in eight bowl games. His 128 wins make him the winningest coach in Baylor history.

Teaff understood Baylor. He knew his “why—' He represented the Baptist University by standing on Baptist doctrine principles. He unashamedly spoke at churches, Christian organizations and banquets. He was considered to be an outstanding Christian leader and speaker. Even though Baylor did not possess the fanciest facilities and have a large alumni support base like big state universities, he operated with what Baylor made available and was very successful.

Christian universities have opportunities unlike state universities. Usually, they lack funding and facilities of state institutions, but they have the ability to lead from a different approach. Yet, when I visit with coaches from private institutions, they rarely understand their advantages or schools’ purpose. They compare themselves to other institutions with totally different missions. They need to understand they have different advantages and assets.

More and more political agendas have changed Christian universities into church-related institutions. In my opinion, there is a difference between being Christian or church related. Many colleges began as religiously affiliated institutions but over time have drifted from their original mission and have become secular colleges in nature. They simply have retained Christianity in name only but do not stand for their original purpose.

Leaders of these institutions are afraid they might offend others with their Christian and biblical stance. Some of these institutions even change their name because they do not want to offend or be limited to their denominational mission only. Church organizations should not fund these colleges unless their domination mission is being carried out.

New research highlights many advantages for private institutions. Research studies of the Christian higher education impact of more than 140 Christian colleges and universities showed students are willing to pay a premium for an education surrounded by a mission of learning in a desired environment.

This report makes a powerful case for the significance of Christian education. Yet, many private institutions are being driven by dollars more than ideas. Political agendas are creating a mission drift of some of these Christian universities with their ideological progressivism. Leaders at these institutions compare themselves to other universities without their mission and try to simulate their way of conducting business. The result is many private institutions are closing their doors because of lack of funding. Personally, I believe they lose their mission.

When the mission of the university is compromised, then funding usually becomes an issue. If the mission is based on God, then leaders should consider following His promise? Philippians 4:19 says, 'And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'

Consequently, the size and prosperity of these institutions should be based on their mission, not comparability. Are you true to your mission? Know your “why.”

----------------------- Thought for the week: “Create your own opportunity by following your mission.” Jack Welch -------------------------- Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.