Oral Roberts University and its current president, Richard Roberts, are being sued by former professors who claim they were fired/pressured to resign because (1) they took issue with being asked to use students and the resources of the school to promote political candidates, and (2) because they revealed evidence of ethical problems in the school's leadership to the board of regents.
Although Roberts claims that the professors are motivated by money, but it should be noted that they are only suing for $10,000 each--which would seem like a paltry amount by today's litigious standards. Also, The litigants appear to be positively inclined toward the school, in spite of the fact that they were fired, withholding "some of the more salacious entries" in the lawsuit from public view for the sake of the school's reputation.
It's still early to determine whether the allegations against the school--and, more specifically, the Roberts family--are valid, but the most surprising thing to me about the debacle is that the professors actually thought they would get somewhere by following the conventional paths of accountability and expressing their concerns to the board of regents. It would seem that the board of regents may be the problem--not the solution--with ORU. Why? The board is largely composed of ministry friends of the Roberts--many of whom themselves have dubious reputations, in terms of doctrine, ethics and accountability. For instance, if you were in their shoes, would you take such concerns to ...
- Creflo Dollar, who claims Jesus was not divine until His baptism ...
- Kenneth Copeland, who suggests that Christians are "little gods" ...
- Jesse DuPlantis, who is a Christian comedian/evangelist who recently raised $10 million for a private jet ...
- John Hagee, who argues that Jews do not need to accept Christ to be saved ...
- Benny Hinn, who is known for spending $3,000 for a single night in a hotel--on the ministry dime ...
- I.V. Hilliard, who threw a 50th birthday party for his wife, invited his congregants to come, charged them $100 a plate--and then encouraged them to buy her gift cards to expensive boutiques ...
- Marilyn Hickey, who is best known for hawking anointed prayer clothes ...
If you have concerns with financial manipulation, inappropriate benefiting of family members from donor money, weird theology or inadequate leadership accountability, these are not the people to complain to.
“Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is dim, where My voice is heard small, and My healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth. Their work will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased” (the prophecy Oral Roberts claimed God gave him that led to the founding of ORU).
Roberts' vision in founding the university that bears his name was a noble one, but I wonder if the "light" he speaks of has been dimmed by association with people with cavalier attitudes toward sound doctrine, ethical fund raising and ministry accountability.
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