Another Shake Up at BJU?

It has just been reported that in less than one year as BJU president Joshua Crockett announced on April 7 he may be called to become senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church.  If he is called, and accepts the call, it's virtually certain he will step down as president for a lesser role at the university. See, BJU President Josh Crockett Announces Possible Role Change.

Yours faithfully,

LM

Announcement to Alumni from Bob Jones University:

This morning, [April 7] Dr. Joshua Crockett informed the Bob Jones University faculty and staff he is a candidate for senior pastor of Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, the position he held for nine years prior to becoming the president of BJU in May 2024. He also plans to continue in a leadership role at BJU working alongside a CEO. 

Dr. Crockett has a pastor’s heart and believes he is best suited to shepherd a congregation and individuals within that congregation. Morningside Baptist Church’s pulpit committee will present the dual role to the congregation for a vote as early as April 27.

If the congregation votes to call him as pastor, his responsibilities at the University will shift primarily to preaching, leading chapel and interacting with and shepherding students.

Dr. Crockett remains dedicated to the mission and vision of BJU, and his ongoing leadership will continue to support the University’s commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. 

The BJU Board of Trustees is confident that with the planned transition and the appointment of a new CEO, the University will continue to thrive in its mission to serve students, faculty, and staff. 

As the process to appoint a new CEO progresses, Dr. Crockett strongly encourages the pursuit of unity. In his statement to faculty and staff this morning, he acknowledged the past and even present disagreements within the BJU community saying “the answer is not to retaliate or escalate a family feud – like the Hatfields & McCoys. The answer is not to react or pick fights on social media.  New Testament Christians are called to build up, not blow up.  We’re called to edification not detonation.  We need to pursue reconciliation and restoration.  We need unity.”  

In his closing this morning, Dr. Crockett also shared clear reasons for optimism including a 23% increase in confirmed applications over last year at this time!