News from the North American Scene: August 19, 1991

SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

President Resigns

The president of Seattle Pacific University resigned last month in the midst of a controversy surrounding a human-sexuality class taught there. David Le Shana, 58, served nine years as president of the Free Methodist-related school. Le Shana, who had said previously he planned to retire in 1993, said his decision was made in part to allow a continuity of leadership as the school begins new fund-raising drives.

University officials commended Le Shana for his service to the university and said his early retirement is not connected to complaints over a human-sexuality course. However, other observers believe the controversy is the latest example of leadership problems at the school.

Critics say the course fails to delineate clearly the biblical view of sex. For instance, two homosexual lovers were invited to explain their sexual views to the class, and at least one textbook endorses homosexuality as a viable alternative lifestyle. John Glancy, director of university relations, said that “the university conducted a very thorough examination of the class and the instructor … and deemed that it was appropriate to teach.”

CHURCH/STATE

Paintings Banned From Park

A federal appeals court in Chicago has ruled that 16 paintings depicting the life of Christ cannot be displayed in a public park. For more than 20 years, the art has been displayed at Christmastime by the Jaycees in Ottawa, Illinois. But the court said the practice violated the First Amendment by endorsing a religious message.

The Ottawa Jaycees are considering an appeal, according to Robert Skolrood, director of the National Legal Foundation, who says the court is enforcing a double standard. “Where Christ is depicted as a drug addict or his crucifix is immersed in urine, the work magically becomes ‘art’ and is paid for … with taxpayers’ money. On the other hand, sincere religious expression is labeled unconstitutional and banished from the public square,” Skolrood says.

YOUTH RALLY

Heat, Heist Don’T Foil Dc ’91

Neither a bus heist nor a heat wave ruined Youth for Christ’s (YFC) DC ’91 conference last month in the nation’s capital, where some 14,000 teenagers gathered for evangelism and discipleship training.

Before conference registration opened, the bus carrying a delegation from Pigeon, Michigan, was stolen from a downtown street, along with all the luggage of the teens and their leaders. Local news media reported the incident, prompting an unexpected outpouring of generosity from business and political leaders, who donated clothes, food, money, free lodging, and special tours of the city.

YFC’s chief executive officer, Roger Cross, said the coverage also added to “local awareness” of the conference. “It appears to be one of those really good examples of how God has taken something that looked for evil and turned it into good.” The bus and some of the possessions were later recovered at a crack house.

A prayer rally on the Mall at the end of the conference was cut short because of the oppressive heat and humidity. About 50 teens were taken to local hospitals to be treated for heat exhaustion.

Despite the mishaps, organizers labeled the conference a success. “The real results of DC ’91 will come 6 months and 12 months from now, when the kids are home and putting the principles they learned into practice,” Cross said.

ADULTERY

Tillapaugh Admits Affair

Frank Tillapaugh, well-known speaker and author of Unleashing the Church and Unleashing Your Potential, was forced to resign as senior pastor of Bear Valley Church in Lakewood, Colorado, after admitting involvement in an adulterous relationship for about eight years. A brief statement read at the church’s July 14 service announced the resignation. “Frank is struggling with moral failure and needs an extended period of time to seek help and healing,” the announcement said in part.

Since arriving at the church about 20 years ago, Tillapaugh, through his dynamic preaching and philosophy of “unleashing” laypeople to minister, had built the congregation from a small gathering to about 1,200 members. In addition, he developed an “unleashing network,” composed of scores of churches worldwide.

PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Briefly Noted

Reinstated: Millard Fuller, as president of Habitat for Humanity. Fuller withdrew the resignation he had tendered in April, when he cited disagreements with the Habitat board (CT, May 27, 1991, p. 51).

Approved: Nearly $10 million in tax-free bonds for Pat Robertson’s Regent University. The Virginia Beach City Council approved the bonds, despite a recent federal court ruling against issuing similar bonds to Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University (CT, July 22, 1991, p. 44).

Elected: Wanda Franz, as new president of the National Right to Life Committee. Franz, professor of child development at West Virginia University and former NRLC vice-president, succeeds John Willke, who stepped down last month after a decade at the helm of the group.

Deceased: James Collier, 62, who wrote and directed many movies for Billy Graham’s Worldwide Pictures, including The Hiding Place, Joni, The Prodigal, and For Pete’s Sake. He also wrote and directed China Cry.

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