Response To Allegations From Oral Roberts University
More is developing from the ORU lawsuit
story I discussed this week. You can get a good update here from Associated
Press, and The Tulsa World reports that the Board of Regents have
brought in an independent accounting firm to look at the finances. It's an
interesting look at how to handle "crisis public relations" and regardless
of guilt or innocence in this case, every non-profit or religious
organization needs to have a crisis PR plan in place. A responsible board
can never be sure that all employees or leaders will act with integrity, so
knowing that we're all fallen human beings, trying to contain the damage is
essential to keep the organization healthy and moving forward.
In this case, as PR maven Jackelyn Iloff has said, the best policy is "the light of day." If you're innocent, get it in the open. Live a transparent life. In the age of Google, it's far to difficult to hide anything anymore, so I tell clients to live their lives as if everyone was watching. Integrity is paramount. It's interesting that Richard Roberts grew up under the shadow of Oral, who lived in a time of "hunker down" public relations. Most first generation ministry leaders of that era would circle the wagons during difficult times, and just consider it an "attack of the devil." They were often brilliant preachers and leaders, but knew very little about the power of perception, and as a result, their ministries often suffered when it came to news reports about their activities.
Today, Richard Roberts is part of a different generation, and he has the choice of hunkering down as a previous generation would, or being transparent. The public will have far more confidence in the ministry, if they feel its leaders are being open and honest, and can put their financial records on the table to prove it.
A second issue is the strength of the Board of Regents. Sadly, with many ministries, the board is simply a leader's family or a group of people who rubber stamp whatever the leader wants. But with a truly healthy organization, a board is visionary, strong, and uses their vast experience to set the direction of the entire organization. In situations like this, they have a choice of removing the current leadership during the crisis period, or keeping them in place. The right choice can re-establish the public (and supporter's) trust in the organization, and the wrong choice can undermine that trust, and make the supporters or partners feel that the board is just pawns, not real decision makers.
Finally - talk to the employees. I know Richard Roberts has addressed a student chapel service, but don't know if he's had a personal meeting with faculty and staff as of today. Don't assume the employees are on your side. They get limited information, and have lots of questions. If you ignore them during a crisis, you'll pay for it later. In the world of non-profits, ministries, and churches, everything seems to focus on the top man or woman. But a company is only as healthy as its employees. Keep them motived, inspired, and informed.
Interesting times here. The tragedy is the damage to the organization in the eyes of the public no matter what happens in court. But the positive, could be a strong board acting with integrity, making the hard decisions to clear any questions, make finances transparent, and present a strong vision and plan for the future. ORU is a great institution. Let's hope they make the right decision, no matter how painful it might be.
Between this issue and the recent announcement of Randy an dPaula White's pending divorce, many still faill, that is their supporters to have a proper biblical theology whne it comes to disciplineing these leaders. The don't because they have believed FALSELY that to do so means you are touching God's anointed. Problem is that these so called leaders are self made men and women, who have little or no anointing. They tal about faith, yet there sermonsare mostly about what "they re foing", and clothe it with christain speak. The Roberts, Hinns and Copleand, and the vat majority within the Word of Faith movement, and it's ridiculous man-cnetered theology is and will continue to prodcue heretical and manipulators to these schools and churches, becuae there is no accountability,or real relationship with Jesus. TBN has numerous characters on it's show and fundrarsuers who have been divorced because of adultery, and yet there is no discipline, becaue these "superstars continue to make the Crouch's very wealthy people, who continue to build expensive stusios, home and "ministry centers. It's time that the adherents and supporters of this, begin to seek the LORD and His presence and ask God to remove the veil of deception, and to quit heit these people where they will feel it the most...in their pocket book. Then lets see what kind of faith they really have, when they have to rely on God for simple things like food and shelter, andf transportation when the bank repo-s their German high line autos and their multi MILLION dollar mansions.
As an ORU ('75) graduate, it saddens me to see the university that made a positive impact on my life in the middle of a negative situation. The alleged comments by Lindsay, referring to $39,000 in clothing, that "all I have to do is wear [the clothes] once and they're a write-off" reminded me of Leona Helmsley's famous quote that, "only the little people pay taxes". In my wallet I carry a little piece of paper with a purpose statement made by Oral Roberts in 1972 which says, "Raise up your students to hear my voice. To go where my light is dim. My voice is heard small. My power is not known. Their work will exceed yours. And in that I am well pleased". 35 years later, that "purpose statement", and the reputation of the university it was built upon, is very much in jeopardy.
I have loved and been thankful for the ministries of Paul & Randy White and others like them. It is not condemnation to ask a LEADER to be accountable to the body that they minister to. Some of these very large ministries that minister to people over the TV & Radio (books & tapes) owe it to all of us to GIVE AN ACCOUNT. A Biblical account for their actions. Carmen interviews Paula White on TBN (both have major minisries & both I believe are in divorce). How can TBN ignore the written word of God. Let these men and women be honest - if they aren't they have no right to speak life into others. It may be painful and very hard, but stepping down from major ministries and simply living a faithful life following His word would be a far greater picture of the truth of God's word. (THE TRUTH SETS MEN/WOMEN FREE)
WHY ARE SO MANY TODAY LIVING IN DIVORCE AND REMARRAISE RELATIONSIPS AND STILL IN MAJOR MINISTRIES. I fear for the body of Christ that can not forgive, but I also fear for the body of Christ that will not adhear to God's word. With their mouth they confess, yet deny with their steps.
WHO WILL STAND AND CALL SIN - SIN? WHERE IS THE INTEGRITY IN THE MINISTRIES?
I beg, not for condemnation but f or restoration and sonship (that does not mean ministry is always going to be at the same level that it once was). that SOME CHRISTIAN LEANDERS OF INTEGRITY STAND UP AND LOVE THESE PEOPLE ENOUGH TO SAY NO! TO SAY SIN IS AND WILL NEVER BE ACCEPTED BY GOD AND THAT HIS PEOPLE SHOULD CAN NOT JUSTIFY SIN. ONLY GOD JUSTIFIES SIN. David desired to build the temple, but God could not use him. He had took use another man.
Actually - we so need these people. Some of them have been my "heros". I find no joy in what we see today. I long for Paula to go back to the place that she made sandwiches and fed people and bought clothes from the used store (if that is what it takes). That was the woman of God that sparked passion in my soul.
PRAYING FOR MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Thank you for the most sensible commentary on the crisis at ORU I've read to date. I earnestly pray ministries big and small consider your advice. It's time.
Phil,
Thank you for taking the time to post this blog about the ORU situation, however here is the reality of the situation. I went to college during 1998 - 2001. When I was on campus at ORU, Richard and Lindsey were both viewed as insincere, non-credible, and ridiculous by the silent majority of the on campus student body.
And 2000 a song was released entitled the "ORU SLIM SHADY." This song was right on and accurately exposed much of content not brought to light by the current law-suit. The campus body loved this song, and it spread quickly throughout the ORU campus via the internet, cd, email and email the campus-wide voice mail.
I knew the guys who wrote the song through intramurals, and I know that they were both kicked out of ORU because of their satirical ORU parody. I knew many of the guys on COVENANT, YB, FULL-ARMOUR and other very involved floors, and nearly all of them supported the song's content. However, when the writers of the song were asked to leave campus, everybody got quiet again...because the prevalent group thought on campus was, "Well Richard and Lindsey are appointed by God, so we should probably just pray for them."
Well the time for praying without taking action is over. Richard and Lindsey are driving ORU into bankruptcy because of their frivilous spending, and I (just like many ORU almnus) are tired of it.
Is there doubt as to why the majority of ORU Alumnus wouldn't be caught dead wearing an ORU sweat shirt? Is there any question why so few alumni are up in arms and running to aid of Lindsey and Richard?
No there is not. Richard is as guilty as sin. I have seen their ridiciously expensive life style first hand. I know those who have roomed with their daughter, I know those that have piloted Richard's private plane. I know the maintenance people that have tiled their home countless times. Black mold?! Are you kidding me?! Black mold!? Thank you Larry King for your continued "hard-line investigative question asking process."
Were those softballs he was throwing Richard or questions? When I was on the campus of ORU Richard liked to say, "Money Cometh." Well I think it is time to say, "Money Cometh, and Richard Goeth."
Let's save the school while we still can. Let's get a new leadership team in there than can actually generate some positive almni support. Let's show our support for the 3 professors, and the all of those who have been wronged by ORU over the years.
The campus experience at ORU is incredible, in spite of Lindsey and Richard, let's not let them destroy this University. We need to take action. I just went to DJ Connection Tulsa website to listen to the "STORY BEHIND THE ORU SLIM SHADY" audio, and this man speaks the truth, unlike Richard.
Thank you Phil,
Rick
Like father....like son. Religious scams....and the poor continue to get poorer as they give their hard earned dollars to these scams done in the name of God.
True. Unfortunately today, perception is reality in the public eye. As someone in the biz, it has been difficult to turn the thinking of ministries from the old days of avoiding the media for fears of being misunderstood to a now when avoiding the media guarantees misunderstanding. You can't put your head in the sand now and expect the media to avoid you! Ministry leaders need to study and understand the perceptions. Living a life beyond reproach and building relationships with the "media monster" can make all the difference in success or failure.