International Executive Council Releases Collaborative Report with Lee University
The Church of God International Executive Council has released a final report entitled, “Lee University Doctrinal Integrity and Teaching Fidelity.” The report represents months of research and dialogue with leaders at Lee University and the Executive Council.
The following is the report in its entirety:
BACKGROUND
Within the context of rapidly shifting societal norms and religious beliefs, and in response to concerns expressed within the Church of God, the International Executive Council determined to review the instructional practices at Lee University. The review process included a series of meetings involving members of the Executive Council and leaders from Lee University.
During the meetings, the Lee University Board of Directors informed the Executive Council of certain policy initiatives it was advancing to clarify and strengthen commitments to educational excellence, fidelity to Scripture, and adherence to the doctrinal commitments of the Church of God. The goal of these open conversations was to enhance the relationships between all ministry partners, resulting in a common commitment to faithfully perpetuate Church of God doctrine and Practical Commitments through ministry of Lee University.
In the September 2023 meeting of the International Executive Council, it was passed that “the subject of doctrinal integrity and teaching fidelity” at Lee University be referred to a committee to bring back specific recommendations to the Executive Council. A subcommittee from the Executive Council was appointed by Dr. Timothy Hill, General Overseer, to undertake the review and provide recommendations (Subcommittee: Raymond F. Culpepper—Chair, David E. Ramirez—Executive Committee Liaison, William “Bill” Lee, Scott Sheppard, Kelvin Page, Anthony Pelt, David Smith).
In November 2023, the Lee University Board of Directors appointed a committee (Clayton Watson—Chair, Marty Baker, Ken Jones, Kevin McGlamery, Matt Sharp, Wade Lombard—Exofficio) to collaborate with the Executive Council subcommittee. The Lee University Board communicated its desire to dialogue with the Executive Council committee conducting the review of Church of God educational practices. The discussion would include dialogue regarding Lee University’s commitment to Church of God doctrine as well as the church’s expectation for scriptural adherence related to human sexuality and gender identity.
MEETINGS
Joint Committee Meeting – January 9, 2024
A joint meeting with representatives from the Church of God Executive Council and Lee University Board of Directors convened on January 9, 2024. The agenda of the meeting held opportunities for both subcommittees to express present realities, current challenges, responses to challenges and recommendations for future actions.
Items raised and discussed were as follows:
1. The concerning impact of the rapidly changing culture and its impact upon higher education, particularly at Christian colleges and universities.
2. The educational practices and commitment to doctrinal fidelity with the Lee University School of Theology and Ministry.
3. Lee University policies governing the behavior of students and employees related to human sexuality and gender identity.
4. Clarification regarding the importance and necessary requirements of regional accreditation for undergraduate and graduate education.
5. The commitment of Church of God scholars and Lee University to the church and to conservative Pentecostal belief and practice.
6. A proposed motion requiring credentialing of religion professors at Church of God educational institutions.
7. Administrative actions and policy measures proposed by the Lee University Board of Directors.
International Executive Council Meeting – January 23, 2024
On January 23, 2024, a representative of the Lee University Board of Directors presented a report from the Lee University Board of Directors. The Lee Board representative shared with the Executive Council, the Lee University Board of Director’s work during their board meeting January 18-19. The Lee Board addressed their commitment to issues of human sexuality and gender, existing commitments of university faculty members and employees, a history of Board governance and accreditation, and a report on the adoption of administrative actions and policy measures.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Lee University Board of Directors submitted to the Executive Council the following actions approved by the Lee Board:
1. Lee University will develop a certification course for its faculty including an orientation to the history, culture, doctrines, and practical commitments of the Church of God; and that this certification be required of all faculty engaged in teaching theology, church doctrine, ecclesiology, and/or practical theology at Lee University.
2. The Lee University Board of Directors reaffirm its existing policy requiring all faculty members to abide by the existing contractual and policy commitments to the lifestyle and doctrinal commitments of the Church of God as they relate to personal conduct, scholarship, and teaching.
3. Lee University will explore the establishment of a required Christian Discipleship class, offered at the 100 level, as an addition to the religion core of Lee University.
4. In collaboration with the Church of God Division of Education, Lee University will explore a means to integrate ministry credentialing in the Church of God within the ministry degree programs of the Lee University School of Theology and Ministry.
5. Lee University Board of Directors adopts the following policy changes related to the faculty of the School of Theology and Ministry (STM):
a. Given their central role in training future ministers consistent with the doctrines and teachings of the Church of God, faculty members in the School of Theology and Ministry may not be a member of, regularly attend, or regularly perform ministerial functions at churches or other religious organizations with doctrines, beliefs, positions, or other ministry practices in conflict with the Statement of Beliefs on Human Sexuality.
b. Codify the existing STM practice of hiring only Pentecostal scholars on its faculty and operating policy of the Board of Directors, including hiring preference for Church of God scholars. Exceptions to this policy would require board approval.
c. Require a written response from all faculty candidates reflecting their views on the doctrinal commitments of the Church of God and the Lee University Statement of Beliefs on Human Sexuality and Gender.
d. Require at least one scholarly writing per year from all ranked faculty members on an article of the Church of God Declaration of Faith, Doctrinal Commitments or Practical Commitments.
e. Provide incentives to faculty members who are credentialed ministers with the Church of God.
f. Establish a faculty hiring advisory committee, comprised of three Ordained Bishops of the Church of God (a local pastor, an administrator from the Church of God Division of Education, and a sitting member of the Executive Council), to review the applications and/or interview new faculty members and supply an assessment of the candidates to the University President for consideration by the Board of Directors.
6. The Lee University Board of Directors shall establish a subcommittee to review all new faculty hires prior to the University President presenting candidates for consideration for approval by the board.
7. Lee University amends its moonlighting policy to prohibit employees and faculty members from engaging in outside employment or serving in a ministerial staff position, whether or not for compensation, at churches or other religious organizations that have doctrines, beliefs, positions, or other ministry practices in conflict with the Statement of Beliefs on Human Sexuality.
The Executive Council affirmed the policy changes adopted by the Lee University Board of Directors. The Executive Council and Lee University will continue to strengthen dialogue to create significant working relationships between Lee University and its sponsoring denomination, the Church of God.
TIMELINE OF ACTIONS
The following Timeline provides specific actions taken throughout the process.
• September 26, 2023
The Church of God Executive Council in session passed that “the subject of doctrinal integrity and teaching fidelity” at Lee University be referred to an Executive Council Committee to bring back specific recommendations to the January 2024 session of the Executive Council. A committee of eight Executive Council members was appointed by Dr. Timothy Hill, General Overseer, to undertake the study and provide recommendations.
• October 11, 2023
The International Executive Committee, in session, perfected and established the objectives, goals, operational guidelines, and requirements in preparation for the joint meeting of the Executive Council subcommittee and a subcommittee from the Lee University Board of Directors.
• October 17, 2023
The Lee University Board of Directors agreed to appoint a subcommittee from the Lee Board to meet with an appointed subcommittee from the Executive Council.
• November 3, 2023
The Lee University Board of Directors approved a subcommittee of five members to collaborate with the appointed Church of God Executive Council Committee regarding a proposed 2024 General Assembly motion, and Lee University’s commitments to Church of God doctrine, as well as, the institution’s response to issues related to LGBTQ+ and gender identity.
• November 7-8, 2023
During the International Executive Committee (IEC) sessions, the Lee University Board of Directors informed the IEC of a duly appointed subcommittee representing Lee University to meet with the Executive Council appointed subcommittee. The Executive Committee shared the directions, guidelines, objectives, goals, and operational procedures in preparation for the convening of the joint meeting.
• November 21, 2023
The initial in person meeting of the Chairman of the Executive Council subcommittee with the Lee Board subcommittee convened in preparation for the first joint meeting of both subcommittees. It was agreed that all issues, questions, and concerns would be expressed and processed in the upcoming joint meeting.
• December 7-8, 2023
The International Executive Committee received a detailed report of the joint meeting of the Chairman of the Executive Council subcommittee with the Lee Board subcommittee that convened on November 21.
• January 9, 2024
A joint meeting with appointed subcommittee representatives from the Church of God Executive Council and Lee University Board of Directors convened January 9, 2024. The agenda provided opportunities for both subcommittees to express present realities, current challenges, responses to challenges, and recommendations for future actions. The meeting engaged in poignant and specific dialogue regarding issues of doctrinal integrity, teaching fidelity, and human sexuality at Lee University.
• January 18-19, 2024
The Lee University Board of Directors considered all recommendations and policy changes from the Lee Board subcommittee and approved their adoption and implementation.
• January 23, 2024
The International Executive Committee requested a representative of the Lee University Board of Directors present a report to the Church of God Executive Council on January 23, 2024. The report detailed information previously shared with the Executive Council subcommittee, as well as indicating adoption by the Lee Board of recommended administrative actions and changes of policy measures addressing the issues in question.
• February 28, 2024
Via Zoom call, the Lee University Board of Directors received a report regarding implementation of recommended administrative actions and policy changes.
• March 18, 2024
The Lee University Board revised and expanded the specific changes related to Lee employee moonlighting policy.
• March 28, 2024
The Lee University Board received an update regarding the process of implementation of board recommendations and policy changes.
• April 2024
The Church of God Executive Council subcommittee reported to the Executive Council of the administrative actions and policy changes approved by the Lee University Board. Further, the report indicated the Lee faculty have been apprised of the changes and all are in the process of being fulfilled. The final reports presented to the International Executive Council from the Executive Council subcommittee and the Lee University Board of Directors was approved by the Executive Council. Dr. Paul Conn, Chancellor of Lee University, met with the International Executive Council sharing Lee’s commitment to implement the administrative actions and policy changes approved by the Lee University Board of Directors.
Throughout the entire process of addressing important issues, the Executive Council Chairman, Executive Committee Liaison to Church of God education, Lee University Board Chairman, and Lee Board Vice Chairman have engaged in multiple meetings advancing the process of the joint endeavors of the representative subcommittees of the Executive Council and Lee University Board of Directors.
CONCLUSION
The work of the International Executive Council since its September 2023 meeting has involved the review of doctrinal integrity and teaching fidelity at our Church of God institutions of higher learning. The diligent process over the past several months indicates the dedication of the members of the International Executive Committee, and the International Executive Council, and the Lee University Board of Directors to the continued faithfulness of the Church of God to the truth of God’s Word, the doctrinal commitments of the church, and its Pentecostal practices.
Through this process, the global educational system of the Church of God is faithfully committed to equipping students with Biblical truth and spirituality to expand the influence of God’s Kingdom.
