PLST Retreat, January 26, 2007
PLST Retreat, January 26, 2007
Statement for release to the internal community:
The members of the President’s Leadership Steering Team (PLST) located on the Wilmore campus met at Rose Hill on Friday, January 26 in a retreat guided by Dr. Curt Bechler of Venture International, Inc.
The Wilmore PLST members discussed expectations and roles, engaged in team-building exercises, and reaffirmed our commitment to direction-setting for the institution.
We identified and clarified norms and expectations for each member of the team. Each member of the Wilmore PLST agreed to work together with the other members in a unified, open fashion. We take seriously the trust placed in us by both the Board of Trustees and the seminary community.
Asbury Seminary faces some critical operational challenges that go beyond the needed peace-making efforts that we have all acknowledged must be addressed.
In the course of our retreat, we identified those critical issues, as well as related goals and processes. Under the leadership of Dr. Kalas we, the administration, are committed to tackling the issues in a forthright and unified manner.
The critical issues that we discussed focus on finances, enrollment, board and community relationships, and improved ongoing communication. We look forward to sharing additional information about these items in days ahead.
The Wilmore PLST members discussed our relationship to the Board of Trustees and affirmed our responsibility for taking the lead in organizational planning as it relates to the ongoing operations of the campus.
Consequently, in the coming weeks, the PLST will be engaging the community in the process of developing plans to tackle our challenges and present them to the Board for their help and support in achieving positive outcomes for the entire seminary.
We look forward, with excitement, toward the entire PLST (including the members from the Florida campus) participating in another retreat scheduled for February 9 & 10.
In the meantime, we encourage the entire community to join us in prayer for the Board as its members gather for their own retreat, guided by Dr. Bechler, on January 31 and February 1. May the Lord bless them with the same spirit of unity and cooperation experienced by the PLST.