On Thursday (March 6), the board sent a letter to the school administration, staff, faculty and students thanking them for “their service to the Lord through the University” and defending the board’s authority.
“Boards function under tight confidentiality,” the letter said, according to a copy obtained by RNS. “Recently these trusts have been violated and nearly obliterated. Therefore, we must take the unprecedented step of communicating with you.”
The board letter said “unlawful and biased releases of confidential board information” on social media had undermined the university and caused “chaos and distrust.”
The letter also expressed confidence in Lewis and said he acted with the board’s support and not alone. Trustees urged the university community to “defeat the discord” caused by “selective postings on social media” and claimed those who posted on social media were “persons who are violating their duties to BJU and God.”
“They operate through rumor and innuendo,” the letter claims.
However, not long after that letter went out, the university sent out a press release saying Lewis had resigned, effective immediately. Lewis had served on the board for 32 years, 7 as chair, according to the release.
Pettit said that Lewis worked to “honor the mission and vision of BJU.”
“I wish Dr. Lewis God’s best,” Pettit said.
Bryan Fitzgerald, a 38-year-old Bob Jones alum and Presbyterian pastor from upstate New York, said he’s been watching developments on campus from afar with concern. Fitzgerald grew up not far from the Bob Jones campus in Greenville, South Carolina, where he went to school from kindergarten to college graduation and still has family in the area.
He said recent changes at the school have made some older alums nervous but he’s welcomed them. Despite the school’s past, which he acknowledged was problematic, Fitzgerald said there were many people on campus who cared for him as a student. And he believes the school still matters.
“I’d rather see them find transformation and redemption than to see their doors close,” he said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information from the letters from university leaders and from the board and the news that Lewis stepped down.
This article originally appeared here.
