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Letter from Lee University

 
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Post Letter from Lee University wahoo
A letter was sent out from Lee University that was also sent to the Executive Committee from the Lee Board of Directors. Seems that someone made accusations regarding Lee on the Church of God Facebook page and the board deemed those accusations to be false. The accusations were severe enough that the board felt compelled to answer them in the letter to church leaders, parents of students and donors to the school. Word on the street is that the school intends to file suit against against the poster of the information for slander and dissemination of false material. Acts-celerater
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10/14/21 3:31 pm


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Post MrSippi
I think the "poster" would say bring it on. There is a real issue at Lee and the group speaking to it have influence and integrity. I have seen the posts. From what I know about the Ordained Bishops speaking to these critical issues, they will not be intimidated. Friendly Face
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10/14/21 7:12 pm


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Post Nature Boy Florida
Since it was sent to so many - can someone post the letter on Acts for us to see.

I don't check my mail often - but if I was sent a copy(and it wasn't chunked as junk mail) - I will post.
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10/15/21 6:57 am


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Post Please see the copy of the text of the letter Nature Boy Florida
To: General Overseer Dr. Tim Hill and the Church of God Executive Council
From: Dennis Livingston, Chairman, Lee University Board of Directors

For more than a century, Lee University has been committed to training and equipping the next generation of Christian students to go anywhere and everywhere––whether in ministry, business, medicine, or other fields––and live out the Gospel in its fullness.

Our mission has been, and will continue to be, accomplished in a manner that is consistent with Scripture and the doctrinal teaching and commitments of the Church of God. The Board of Directors of Lee University (each being “appointed biennially by the International Executive Committee” COG Minutes S19(I)(A)) takes our appointment to this position seriously, recognizing that we are stewards of the University, its mission, its faculty and staff, and––most importantly––each and every student enrolled in
our institution.

Thus, the Board was deeply troubled, and, in truth, shocked to learn of recent false accusations made via social media against Lee, its leadership (both currently under Dr. Mark Walker and previously under Dr.
Paul Conn), the Board, and even the Church of God as it relates to our commitment to Scripture and Church of God doctrine. These accusations are unfair, misinformed and incomplete in their information. None of them represent who Lee is or what we stand for. While this individual chose to air personal grievances on a public platform that has regrettably been
shared beyond the confines of members of that group, the Board does not intend to engage similarly. Rather, we believe concerns and conflict between brothers and sisters in Christ should be resolved under the structure and authority of the Church of God (see Matthew 18), a position that is reflected throughout official meeting Minutes.
Therefore, the Board respectfully submits this response to the Executive Committee itself, and the Executive Council, detailing Lee’s ongoing commitment and efforts to respond to new challenges facing
many Christian institutions in our day and age.

1) Lee University’s student practices and policies have been and will continue to be implemented in a manner consistent with Scripture and Church of God doctrines. Our students are our “mission field,” and they come representing a variety of views and beliefs on many topics, including issues of sexuality and gender. Lee has consistently and clearly taught our students a biblical worldview that follows the teachings and practices of the Church of God on
these issues. Students who violate our biblically-based Community Covenant or other codes of conduct––which cover a variety of issues including dishonesty, violent behavior, theft, promoting or advocating for ideologies and causes that conflict with biblical teachings, and sexual morality–
–are subject to disciplinary action including suspension. Furthermore, recognizing that “we all stumble in many things” (James 3:2), Lee offers counseling, prayer, and biblically-based guidance to students who are struggling with any sexual sin or temptation, but who commit to
live within our codes of conduct as they “work out their own salvation” (Phil. 2:12). This prayerful guidance is what Scripture requires us to do; it is what the Church of God expects us to do; and it is what our policy calls for. This is our calling and mission with students, and we accept it with a sense of responsibility before God.

2) Lee University’s faculty and staff practices and policies have been and will continue to be implemented in a manner consistent with Scripture and Church of God doctrines. Regarding faculty and other employees, the Board follows our charge under the Minutes to “permit no person unable or unwilling to accept in good faith the Church of God Declaration of
Faith to be employed.” COG Minutes S19(I)(B)(6). We do not knowingly employ anyone who does not accept and practice the biblical guidelines for sexuality which have been established by the Church of God. Claims to the contrary are false and irresponsible.

3) Lee University is exempt from Title IX to the extent that its requirements conflict with our biblically- and denominationally-based policies and practices. The Church of God Minutes recognize that “we are to obey the laws of our country insofar as they are not in conflict with obedience to God.” COG Practical Commitment VII(A). Thus, Lee University fully complies
with all federal and state laws, including Title IX, except when such laws conflict with our duty to God. There are many aspects of Title IX, such as providing equal opportunities for members of both sexes, that Lee fully supports and complies with. But to the extent that Title IX (or any other
federal law) is interpreted to require actions that violate Lee’s religious tenets, we will not comply.
However, as confirmed with legal experts we have consulted, Lee University does not have to file an exemption letter with the federal government to be exempt from any Title IX requirements that conflict with our beliefs. Instead, as the federal regulations clearly articulate, Title IX “does not apply to an educational institution which is controlled by a religious organization to the extent application of this part would not be consistent with the religious tenets of such organization.” 34 C.F.R. 106.12(a). The so-called “exemption letter” referenced by the author of the social media post is not prerequisite for an exemption. Rather, the letter is merely an “assurance of the
exemption.” As the regulation explains, Lee University can “raise its exemption” at any time by submitting a letter “identifying the specific provisions [of Title IX] which conflict with a specific tenet of the religious organization.” 34 C.F.R. 106.12(b).

4) Under the oversight of the Board, Lee University is undertaking a comprehensive review of all policies. As the Executive Council is already aware from past reports and conversations, the President's Cabinet has been engaged throughout summer 2021 in a wall-to-wall review of all our policies to produce an improved way of dealing with students or faculty who might engage in any conduct that violates our standards. The Cabinet’s review is a work in progress, as it is leaving no stone unturned even including a detailed theological statement on human sexuality and gender that is doctrinally sound and goes into far greater depth concerning these issues than anything
currently produced by the Church of God. This review also includes our policies related to students enrolled in our ministerial training programs. Lee has graduated thousands of students who went on to be credentialed ministers with the Church of God. To our knowledge, all of those
individuals (except for the one identified by the author of the social media post) have affirmed Scriptural teachings on marriage and sexuality. Thus, until now, we have not needed a specific procedure for addressing students who reject Christian orthodoxy on these issues. However, such a procedure is a part of the President’s Cabinet policy review.

While some of our detractors wish to “sow discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:19), we believe in focusing on those things which are true, noble, lovely, and of good report (Phil. 4:Cool––things which we know the Executive Committee and Council value and that demonstrate Lee’s ongoing work to train up a new generation of students prepared to to impact the world for Christ. Among these true, noble and lovely accomplishments are:

● the thousands of students that engaged in authentic worship in Convocation this past week,
intently listening and responding to God’s word;
● the 80 students participating in the 10 new Chapel Bible study groups launched this year as a part
of our continued strategic efforts to help students integrate their faith and vocation;
● the selfless volunteer work of our students and faculty in churches and local outreach ministries
all over Cleveland and Bradley County meeting the needs of the community;
● the hundreds of student Commissioning speakers who have shared their Lee stories of how they
accepted Christ or encountered Him in a new and transforming way during their time at Lee; and
● the multiple thousands of Lee University alumni doing life-transforming kingdom of God work
around the world in all vocations.

These stories and so many more like them are the work and ministry of Lee University–– and those who
truly love Lee know it!
We fully support and affirm the mission of Lee University as established by the Church of God, the work
of the Board of Directors over many decades of service, and of the leadership of President Walker and
President Conn throughout the years we have served with them. We know there is always more work to be done, and we pray that we will continue to have the full support of the Executive Committee and Council as we accomplish that work. We further hope that the Committee and Council will continue to fully express your support of Lee, its leadership, and its Board to the denomination as a whole.

This statement was approved by the Lee University Board of Directors:
Mark Walker, President
Paul Conn, Chancellor
Dennis Livingston, Chair
Robert Daugherty, Vice Chair
Marty Baker
Emmitt Beall
Patricia Carroll
Ishmael Charles
Hector Diaz
Ashley Freer
Ken Jones II
Wade Lombard
Jerry Madden
Byron Medlin
Jeff Robinson
Matt Sharp
Steve Smith
Lee Storms
Kelvin Tarukwasha
Clayton Watson
David Ramirez, Liaison to the Church of God Executive Committee
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10/15/21 3:13 pm


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Post Nature Boy Florida
The following is Part I of NBFs opinion regarding the above letter:

As a highlight - the Lee University Board says they are:

"shocked to learn of recent false accusations" which are "unfair, misinformed and incomplete".

In fact they accuse an unnamed person of airing a "personal grievance" and trying to "sow discord among brethren”.

After saying all of that - the good news - in the board's holiness - they will not engage in kind. They will not accuse a person of airing a personal grievance, a person who is misinformed and unfair - a person who sows discord among the brethren. No sir!

"Rather, we believe concerns and conflict between brothers and sisters in Christ should be resolved under the structure and authority of the Church of God (see Matthew 18), a position that is reflected throughout
official meeting Minutes."

That was very nice of the Board to include the scripture reference as the folks they addressed it to would have never heard of it, right?

I have only seen two folks take the lead posting things regarding the current situation at Lee.

Those people are Tim Hill and Travis Johnson. Since the letter was directed to Tim Hill - I can only assume they are not talking about him - but perhaps signaling a warning shot to back off on any complaints about Lee.

Please recall just a small number of recent events:

A group called "Gay at Lee" had over 5000 members.

A Chattanooga TV station(s) posted an investigative piece regarding how a gay/trans person is treated poorly at Lee.

A Lee chapel speaker gave an ambiguous sermon regarding acceptance of gay/trans folks at Lee.

Professors and students march in parades for women's rights (a good thing) - including abortion (a horribly bad thing if we believe God personally forms babies in the womb.).

Some would say: where there is smoke - there is fire.

I believe whistle blowers are needed in Washington ... and in Cleveland.

I have only seen posts from Travis that have been very fair - and only ask questions regarding what is going on at Ocoee street.

I am glad to see the Lee Board is reviewing its stance on these issues.

I am very sorry the whistle blower is being attacked for calling foul. But, there is nothing new under the sun.
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10/15/21 3:30 pm


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Post sadlytrue77
MrSippi wrote:
I think the "poster" would say bring it on. There is a real issue at Lee and the group speaking to it have influence and integrity. I have seen the posts. From what I know about the Ordained Bishops speaking to these critical issues, they will not be intimidated.


I must be missing something I haven't seen none of this. Its about time some one speak about Lee. Who is the group that is speaking up?
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10/15/21 4:43 pm


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Post ... Tom Sterbens
...

Last edited by Tom Sterbens on 10/15/21 5:08 pm; edited 7 times in total
Golf Cart Mafia Capo Famiglia
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10/15/21 5:04 pm


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Post sadlytrue77
That must mean you and Johnson but if it will fix the mess I support it
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10/15/21 5:07 pm


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Post Re: ... sadlytrue77
Tom Sterbens wrote:
...


I thought I was reply to you but your words are gone.
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10/15/21 5:31 pm


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Post 100 years ago Mat
100 years ago, a committee of four from the 12 Elders was selected to review the actions of A. J. Tomlinson. Over the next two years investigations and letters when back and forth - actions were taken - all was made public - and then in 1923 there was a split, followed by years of animosity and lawsuits.

It seems that a whole lot of people have their tempers up and their egos out. All feel right, yet something is wrong, but is it really what is being debated?

Mat
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10/15/21 6:38 pm


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Post UncleJD
Its sad to come to this, but maybe good will come. Maybe, just maybe, I won't have to discourage my grandchildren from going to Lee like I had to do with my own children in recent years. Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
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10/16/21 11:57 am


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Post sadlytrue77
Starting around 10 years ago I been recommended about anywhere but Lee. Sad since my son went there.
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10/16/21 1:37 pm


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Post Perhaps it's time for more local churches... roughridercog
To establish their own respective Bible training institutes.
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10/19/21 11:48 am


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