While I appreciate your June 30 effort to discern the “Real lesson for VI,” I believe you missed a central point.
VI’s experience of probation has been very helpful as it led to numerous improvements in the way the college conducts its affairs. I salute Bill Gatton and John Tickle for their financial leadership, and I salute those trustees and staff who worked tirelessly to solicit donors and prepare the accreditation documents.
Where I believe you have missed the point is in your dismissive attitude toward the prayerful dimension of this effort. I submit to you that no merely human institution has an intrinsic right to exist, and VI’s mission is far more than simply staying in business.
VI’s greatest purpose is to provide a community in which the truth-claims of Christianity are fairly presented in an atmosphere of religious freedom and diversity. Our mission is to provide an environment of vibrant community in which students, faculty, staff and administrators can engage the deepest questions of human existence and be transformed through that engagement.
It has been because of this that these two years have been so prayer-filled. It has been no sure thing to which donors have given so generously; but one by one, hearts have been stirred by the quiet prompting of God’s Spirit to be willing to risk resources toward this end.
Despite the enormous financial achievements of these two years, the accrediting board had many misgivings about restoring VI’s accreditation; but one by one, hearts were stirred by the quiet prompting of God’s Spirit to give us the benefit of the doubt.
So it was that one sort of work crafted the key, but it was prayer that caused the lock to turn. I pray that we will now take seriously the opportunity God has given.
David C. Stancil
Bristol, Va.
Stancil is a member of the Virginia Intermont College Board of Trustees.
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