The signs have been there for some time. I am not talking about Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s political involvement, with which many of us disagreed, but his demeanor, words, and behavior which gave rise to serious questions as to whether he possessed the requisite character and spiritual maturity to serve as president of Liberty.
My issues with Jerry, Jr began early, when a controversy arose about Glenn Beck (a Mormon) speaking at Liberty convocation. I did not have a problem with Beck speaking (in an academic setting, exposing students to different viewpoints is helpful) as much as what Jerry said about it. On June 25, 2010, he said,
“I mean, that’s what my father believed when he formed Moral Majority, was an organization of Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, people of no faith. And there are bigger issues now, we can argue about theology later after we save the country.”
To me, that statement was contrary to the Gospel. We need to save America (via political means) and then we can “argue theology” with Gospel-aberrant groups such as Mormons, Catholics, and Jews? I was not always a fan of everything Jerry, Sr. did but he understood that the Gospel came first. In 2015, Jr. stated his wish that more “good people” would carry guns so that we could “end those Muslims.” Should a Christian leader speak so passionately about killing people? Aren’t Christian institutions about REACHING people, not killing them? Recently, his racially insensitive remarks caused several minority students (prominent athletes) and staff to leave. He made many insulting and derogatory statements about fellow-Christians who didn’t share his political views. It seemed clear to me that he was far more motivated and passionate about political things than by the things of God.
In fact, I cannot remember hearing him declare the Gospel or the primacy of Christ. He said that he was a lawyer, not a pastor, as if that excused his behavior. He made repeated statements that echoed the one above, that we needed to fix the country first, then we could worry about theological (Christian) matters later. I did not attend convocations and I never spoke to him privately. He may well have testified to his faith in Christ there (though recent revelations about his private life bring that into question). I remember Old Jerry speaking of Christ and the Gospel at every opportunity. Young Jerry did not.
Of course, the rumors of personal foibles have been rampant for years, but they were whispers by questionable characters who provided no proof, until recently.
When people questioned him, Jerry Falwell, Jr. had the same basic response. “Look at what I have done for this university.” Last week, I drove past the university for the first time in years. It appears that there have been massive building programs. I understand that the school that once teetered on the edge of bankruptcy now has an endowment that approaches $2 billion. Sports programs seemed to be prospering (at least until his recent racial missteps). There is no question that on an institutional level, Jerry Jr. has been successful. The school is bigger, richer, and more solidly established than when he took control.
Here’s my estimation. Jerry Falwell Jr. was doing great things as president of Liberty University but did not have the requisite moral character and spiritual maturity to sustain such a job. Henry Blackaby used to say that we should not seek an assignment from God that is beyond our character and maturity. That is usually a prescription for disaster. Insufficient moral and spiritual character in a big job will lead to shipwreck on a massive scale.
Why Dredge This UP?
The purpose of this post is not to pick on Jerry Falwell, Jr. My hope is that the trustees of Liberty will find a great new president and the school will prosper. I hope I can return to enthusiastically supporting the school. If this was an isolated incident, I would just breathe a sigh of relief and move on, but it is not.
Christianity today, and the institutional church, seem to reward talent, charisma, and personality more than moral character and spiritual maturity when it comes to leadership positions. We ignore the failings of charismatic celebrity leaders because of their effect on the institutional bottom line or their popular stands. We have developed a culture of celebrity and hero-worship that excuses the failings and foibles of these ultra-talented men (and women) because of what they’ve done for us. Abusers get standing ovations even after they’ve admitted their perverse sins because they’ve preached great messages and built “our great church.” Men who have abused power and acted without integrity are celebrated and honored because they are denominational warriors, heroes of the Conservative Resurgence, or have in some other way served our convention. We turn a blind eye to lack of character, to those who fail to operate in obedience to Christ because they get things done.
When the shipwreck comes, we all shake our heads and say, “Isn’t it sad. How awful. Oh, my.” As long as we continue to value celebrity and talent over character and maturity, as long as we turn a blind eye to sexual abuse, abuse of power, and other sins, because “he built a great church” or “he served us faithfully,” we will continue to see shipwrecks. When we put our institutions in the hands of those who lack character and cheer them on because they say things we like, “get stuff done” and tickle our ears with their political pronouncements, we are complicit in the failures. When trustees of our institutions (I know, Liberty isn’t SBC – I am speaking more generally now) serve the celebrity leaders instead of holding them accountable, our institutions will flail and shipwrecks will be common.
We ought not to be surprised that Liberty is going through what it is going through. They have been racing toward disaster for years but no one would hold their president accountable. You reap what you sow. This is an ugly harvest.
What ought to surprise and grieve us is the absolute unwillingness of Christians to learn this lesson. If we do not make character and spiritual maturity central to leadership, if we do not hold our leaders lovingly accountable, these kinds of tragedies will continue unabated.
Question: Does the same principle apply when … we put our government in the hands of those who lack moral character and then (we) cheer them on because they say things we like, “get stuff done” and tickle our ears with their political pronouncements? Are we are complicit in the resulting failures?
I suppose. I really wanted to avoid this article being about politics though.
“Christianity today, and the institutional church, seem to reward talent, charisma, and personality more than moral character and spiritual maturity when it comes to leadership positions. We ignore the failings of charismatic celebrity leaders because of their effect on the institutional bottom line or their popular stands.”
Hey, Dave. Great article. You hit the nail on the head with this one. Although some secular principles can be helpful and applicable in church settings, far too often we have allowed secular metrics of success (i.e., number of people present and financial giving) to either substitute or compensate for moral character, integrity, and spiritual maturity. I experienced the negative repercussions of such a mindset in a church where I followed a “charismatic” pastor who had resigned due to moral failure. Whenever I hear that a pastor is “charismatic” (not in the Pentecostal sense), it usually gives me pause. I agree that, far too often, a pastor or other Christian leader’s weaknesses or failings are ignored because of the “institutional bottom line.” That can’t be good for the church. In fact, that can’t be good for anybody.
Thanks
And Yup
I think the problem is more idolizing leaders and deigning them as above correction. No leader is perfect and their character isn’t clear but it is revealed by their choices.
I’ll note the deacon-led churches of our youth weren’t better. The deacons did not think the churches would not hold them accountable often as they ran off multiple preachers. And since they were led by men they accumulated their own power and rejected oversight especially from pastors. (Speaking broadly…)
The question is whether in Southern Baptist life we can practice meaningful accountability between leaders and somebody. Without the oversight structure of the early church and the authority of the apostles it is at least challenging.
And the leaders usually wield enough power both in the local church and in the entities to sway those holding them accountable. The most recent awful example is Falwell Jr., but hardly the first or last.
If we idolize men and do not hold them accountable pretty much weekly, I’m not sure this can be universally avoided.
Prayer helps. Are we doing to little of it??
Dave, I agree that too many think America’s salvation will be in the political system (either in the Democrat or Republican party). The truth, as you said, is America’s salvation will only be found in believing the gospel!
These are wise words.
When will we learn…about employment contracts? Junior to receive $10.5 million because he resigned and was not terminated for cause.
“There wasn’t any cause,” he said. “I haven’t done anything.” He is quoted as saying.
Not my money, thankfully.
…which triggers me to say, again, that all SBC entity heads should have their compensation published annually and employment contracts as well. Let the people who pay the bills know where their gifts are going.
Amen Brother Thornton, well past time. “Trust the Trustees” won’t work anymore.
The $10.5 million severance sickens me and grieves me as much as Falwell Jr.’s behavior. This signals a level of stupidity and/or corruption somewhere in Liberty’s governance system. I find it hard to see why anyone should give even $1 to Liberty until the trustees do a complete housecleaning, including themselves, to rid the university of all who enabled Falwell and allowed this kind of greed grab.
I agree totally that salaries and employment contracts at SBC entities need to be published and widely available.
I’m confused — why would Falwell be entitled to a parachute payment? Didn’t he resign?
Or is the claim here that he negotiated a settlement with the board where, in exchange for his resignation, they’d pay him $10M (and change)?
Article referenced an employment contract signed last year.
Thanks! Guess I should’ve read the darn article, huh?
EDIT: Well, maybe not. This kinda thing is REALLY not good for my blood pressure: “While Jerry Falwell told the Post he was stepping down partly out of boredom with the job, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday “the only reason I resigned” is “because I don’t want something my wife did to harm the school I’ve spent my whole life building.” Becki Falwell said she wished “Christians, and people, would be as forgiving as Christ was” and her husband is.”
Still throwing his wife under the bus /even when there’s nothing to gain from it/ — amazing!
The agreement was negotiated when he got the job. The Trustees didn’t make any changes, just let it be, which was probably the wisest course. After all, he did bring to the University millions and millions of contributions and his father did found it. Any other course would probably have resulted in multiple law suits and longer involvement with the parties involved. Best to just sever relations with a clean cut now. Remember Jerry, Jr. is a lawyer, first and foremost.
Rudd, when you can prove your claim about SBC leader salaries, it can be put here. Until then, you have a figure out of the air. Keep it there.
I disagreed with you last year about this. I’m on your side now. Publish the salaries.
An astoundingly astute reader. Unusual southern Baptist who will listen to reason. 😉
I think my “youthful optimism” regarding the SBC has vanished. And I’m not nearly as aware of what goes on as most folks who post here.
While LU and JFJr is in the spotlight,(nothing sells like salaciousness), we, SBCers, have our own house to get in order. We have a storied history of “morally inappropriate personal relationships.” ie. The Red Bishop’s son in the ministry, Hot-tub Paul, and our immediate past SBC EC CEO. In addition to those, one can add the #METOO offenders and enablers. The imperialistic leadership of the SBC elite is nothing new, but the latest iteration has garnered a letter of protest to the SBC CEO and President of NAMB, from six of our state convention executive directors. The letter was sent two weeks ago and there has been no response from either, and no coverage from BP. The Louisiana Baptist Message has provided the only information:
https://baptistmessage.com/six-state-executives-say-theres-no-partnership-in-new-namb-strategic-cooperative-agreement/
This is more significant to cooperating Southern Baptists (or the convention formerly known as Southern Baptists), than the peccadillos of Jerry Jr., Becki & the pool boy.
Bit of drive-by snark. Irrelevant save for the namb news which will probably be its own topic shortly.
Thank you William, for recognizing my snarkiness. Sarcasm is my spiritual gift. I am irrelevant, in SBC life, but have deep roots and relationships among our Baptist heritage and brethren. As Dave noted, in the original post, “Christianity today, and the institutional church, seem to reward talent, charisma, and personality more than moral character and spiritual maturity when it comes to leadership positions”.
I am concerned that we are repeating the same errors made, in regards to our leadership. While I trust that there are more financial controls in effect, we have collectively forgotten C.S. Carnes, who, in the early days of the CP, embezzled over $900,000, in 1928, the equivalent of $12 million today. We have many in SBC leadership who are talented, successful and charismatic (in a SBC appropriate way (no offence to Jerry Rankin)), whose reputations are called into question by those on the fringes of their orbit. Because of a lack of forthrightness and transparency by leaders and their sycophants who dismiss and demean those who question the anointed, there are many longtime irrelevant, little people who have been committed Cooperative Program baptists, who might not be so much longer.
The NAMB “un”cooperative agreements, that prompted 6 non-south executive directors to pen a letter to Kevin Ezell and Ronnie Floyd has caused concern to some of us who are aware of it, in spite of the silence from Baptist Press. When Pastor John Onwuchekwa, and CornerstoneATL, publicly left the SBC, after receiving $175,000, funneled through Blueprint Church, from NAMB, that left a bad taste in many mouths. When you add these to the ongoing lawsuit that is in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, in which NAMB attorneys are arguing that NAMB has rights and privileges in a State Convention and is a supporting organization for the State Convention. The attorneys representing NAMB have painted themselves into a corner. If NAMB wins, the SBC will be open to unlimited litigation on every front, in every direction, from the bottom up, top down and middle out. Augie Boto can give clear guidance on this issue.
I have no investment or interest in Liberty University, but have had and have a great investment and interest in our cooperative Southern Baptist Convention of churches. Southern Baptist have survived the dismissal/departure of C.S. Carnes and Hollywood Bob Record and we can and should that of Kevin Ezell.
As Dave says, Liberty has been “racing toward disaster for years”. Who is charged with the responsibility for stopping the charge? Whose responsibility is it to correct the deterioration of Falwell’s behavior and decisions? Whose responsibility is it to see past celebrity and ensure what is best for LU?
The Board. Pure and simple.
It is this collection of people who are responsible for what has happened and for the employment arrangement they reached with Fallwell. Go look up the names.
The problems at Liberty are not “ours” but theirs. Until we fix responsibility and accountability where they belong we will continue to have institutions led away by charismatic men whose talents exceed their character while their boards doze.
An example of the old adage “addition by subtraction.” I do pray they get things sorted out as a family and come to repentance.
I just want to say this is a wonderful article and I agree 100%. I personally have never had any confidence for Jr. as a spiritual person, much less a spiritual leader.
This should not surprise us at all. Remember, character doesn’t matter, only results do. Falwell was hired as a president, not a pastor. Morality in our leaders is an outdated concept.
Why do I find myself humming a Peter, Paul, and Mary song?