[NeoFlame]

I love Dr. Gomes. However in my opinion this position is the most important position Liberty will have in place -- even more so than the new President. With that said, the Spiritual leader has to be tough in holding their ground. I hope they also empower this person to provide perspective (dare I say final decision?) when athletics or another department wants to do something that could ultimately hurt LU when it comes to the spiritual aspect. Dr. Gomes is too nice to stand that ground, God bless him for that fact but it's true. When those on the team messed up BIG TIME he would only speak to the person he knows they could become once God grabs ahold of their heart. That might be true but this person has to be willing to say they will not represent Liberty on the public stage UNTIL God grabs ahold of their heart, not hope it happens after the fact.

TL;DR - Dr. Gomes is perfect where he is. You cannot name a better Spiritual leader for a group of guys that aren't looking to be judged, but instead loved. This new position mentioned has to be willing to judge based on the facts presented.

[Jonathan Carone]

Some may say that all the signs were there for a long time before last week. It’s certainly fair to say that there were questionable comments made, worrying behavior, and inappropriate social media posts, but all the signs were not there until the start of last week.

This is the troublesome part of the article. Hard to believe they were totally in the dark. That would mean they never investigated previous claims and, given their role, that's the definition of negligence.

[thepostman]

Agreed. The whole thing was great but that part of the statment really stuck out like a sore thumb.

[flameshaw]

Some may say that all the signs were there for a long time before last week. It’s certainly fair to say that there were questionable comments made, worrying behavior, and inappropriate social media posts, but all the signs were not there until the start of last week.

This is the troublesome part of the article. Hard to believe they were totally in the dark. That would mean they never investigated previous claims and, given their role, that's the definition of negligence.

I can assure you that most were totally in the dark about JJ's personal love life and assorted proclivities. Some were aware of his alcohol problem and some weren't. Those who chose to ignore that, should be held responsible. The did a terrible disservice to LU in ignoring/hiding that.
I believe that sometimes even the best leaders are blind-sided by what others do. It is not always negligence. Most here will remember when Sr. found out that Don Norman, had a 12 year affair with his secretary. Sr. was around that every day and didn't know. He also took immediate corrective action. I had a very good friend of the Falwell and Norman families tell me, "I would have believed Jerry was having an affair, before I ever would have believed that Don Norman was." We all have those stories, both private and public that shocked us to our core.
Glad the board is taking the action. Not worried about who does the investigation. If the board is announcing an investigation, I can't imagine them dumb enough to hire someone with anything other than finding the truth. It is to their advantage to do so.
I like T Gill a lot and literally love Ed Gomes. But IMHO, they are not the guys we are looking for in that position. It is a much bigger stage than they are used to stepping on and we need someone with lots of experience in that role. I have a feeling of where the bored is looking. If so, it will be a good hire.
Hoping that Prevo makes the right decisions regarding some of the lesser positions of leadership. Praying for the entire bored as they continue to seek the correct leadership roles.

[ballcoach15]

Sometimes there's a difference between rumors and signs.

[paradox]

Yeah, Jerry was way too busy to ever know anything about anyones personal issues. But, he was big on encouragement and helping people up after they fell. One thing that he often said that people forgot is that Christians are the only army known for shooting their own wounded.

Not gonna mention names, but there was a well known theology prof who got into trouble at least three times. Jerry always brought him back. Didn't even care that people didn't like it. As long as you still believe, Jerry was like, get back in there and fight the good fight. Don't give up. Keep the faith. If you believe, he saw you as a teammate. He was a team player.

[stokesjokes]

Some may say that all the signs were there for a long time before last week. It’s certainly fair to say that there were questionable comments made, worrying behavior, and inappropriate social media posts, but all the signs were not there until the start of last week.

This is the troublesome part of the article. Hard to believe they were totally in the dark. That would mean they never investigated previous claims and, given their role, that's the definition of negligence.

I can assure you that most were totally in the dark about JJ's personal love life and assorted proclivities. Some were aware of his alcohol problem and some weren't. Those who chose to ignore that, should be held responsible. The did a terrible disservice to LU in ignoring/hiding that.
I believe that sometimes even the best leaders are blind-sided by what others do. It is not always negligence. Most here will remember when Sr. found out that Don Norman, had a 12 year affair with his secretary. Sr. was around that every day and didn't know. He also took immediate corrective action. I had a very good friend of the Falwell and Norman families tell me, "I would have believed Jerry was having an affair, before I ever would have believed that Don Norman was." We all have those stories, both private and public that shocked us to our core.
Glad the board is taking the action. Not worried about who does the investigation. If the board is announcing an investigation, I can't imagine them dumb enough to hire someone with anything other than finding the truth. It is to their advantage to do so.
I like T Gill a lot and literally love Ed Gomes. But IMHO, they are not the guys we are looking for in that position. It is a much bigger stage than they are used to stepping on and we need someone with lots of experience in that role. I have a feeling of where the bored is looking. If so, it will be a good hire.
Hoping that Prevo makes the right decisions regarding some of the lesser positions of leadership. Praying for the entire bored as they continue to seek the correct leadership roles.

The pool boy story came out 2 years ago. If they didn’t see the signs, it’s because they refused to look.

[adam42381]

Yeah, the right frontman can make all the difference. Think Bono or Mike Jagger. I understand that a board member may have reached out to Eddie Vedder, according to an unnamed source. I would personally advise against this. He's really not that talented, has a bad temper, and is far too green for my taste. But what do I know? Maybe that's just me.

Eddie for chancellor!

[Sly Fox]

A Pearl Jam topic as guaranteed to bring adam42381 out of the woodwork.

It is funny that paradox references a guy just talked about in this forum within the pst 24 hours. Yes, Doc always was big on second chances. And third chances. And fourth chances. He always explained that it was because his own personal story was full of those situations where he had mercy and grace heaped upon him in his younger days.

[JK37]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

[bluedevilflame]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

I actually thought the same thing. Jonathan would be a great way to bridge the obvious gap between the university and TRBC.

[Purple Haize]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

I dunno. I like the separation of Church and School

[Class of 20Something]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

I dunno. I like the separation of Church and School

With the exception of the nuke codes.

[Jonathan Carone]

I think it'd be really hard to lead a church staff the way Jonathan is responsible for while still providing spiritual oversight for the executive staff of the school. That's asking too much of one person.

[olldflame]

I think it'd be really hard to lead a church staff the way Jonathan is responsible for while still providing spiritual oversight for the executive staff of the school. That's asking too much of one person.

I don't disagree, although his father did it, and then some. Of course, he only slept 3-4 hours a day. Not everyone can do that.

[thepostman]

Yeah...Jerry Sr was a different kind of cat altogether. I wouldn't expect anybody to work as much as he did.

[Just John]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

[Just John]

I think it'd be really hard to lead a church staff the way Jonathan is responsible for while still providing spiritual oversight for the executive staff of the school. That's asking too much of one person.

I believe we will see a Chancellor role that is almost entirely a spiritual position. From what I hear, the executive team at TRBC does a good job of overseeing the day to day.

[flameshaw]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

B-I-N-G-O. Betty.

[olldflame]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

I dunno. I like the separation of Church and School

I have mixed feelings about this possibility. I actually like the idea of the church being involved with some sort of spiritual oversight of the school. That is the way things were intended to be from the beginning, and were for a long time. The problem with Jonathan taking a major role is IMHO more one of appearance than function. It would send a message, whether accurate or not, that the university is still a family business.

[Purple Haize]

The School has gotten so much bigger though. And Senior was a special person. MAYBE some type of tie in with the school of religion. It that’s about it

[gerb]

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

Does this mean no more “candlelight yoga” promotions in the school of religion lobby?

I wondered why religion profs are not up in arms over that. It’s no biggie right? Never mind it’s roots and purpose.

[Purple Haize]

Yoga is great for your muscle elasticity

[LUaddict]

Oldflame is correct. Continuing to allow the image of LU as a family business will make LU and the leadership to not be taken seriously. That is one of the steps that LU as an institution needs to take, if they want to be taken seriously as an academic institution. Right now, Liberty is a mess with this fiasco, but I wonder if there is a leader out there whos heart strings are being pulled to take over LU as the new President. I hope God blesses us with what need in a President at LU. Go Flames!

Spiritual guidance Sounds like a role maybe for Jonathan?

I dunno. I like the separation of Church and School

I have mixed feelings about this possibility. I actually like the idea of the church being involved with some sort of spiritual oversight of the school. That is the way things were intended to be from the beginning, and were for a long time. The problem with Jonathan taking a major role is IMHO more one of appearance than function. It would send a message, whether accurate or not, that the university is still a family business.

[ballcoach15]

Liberty University is an "arm" of TRBC. Even though Liberty has grown from the original 154 students in 1971, the school is still "in the church yard".