Torch, Summer 2000

But, as soon as we start taking credit for that, Cedarville University will be in trouble. When we become prideful, we lose the blessing of God. We have to give Him the glory. Lou Gerschner, president of IBM, has written a book titled Saving Big Blue . It is the story of the struggle to bring IBM back from the brink of collapse. The intriguing part of the story is the process by which the company came to the brink. Gerschner’s contention is that the problem was one of attitude, resulting in management structures and behaviors that expected accomplishment based on past achievement. In other words, IBM was infected with pride. He calls it “the curse of success.” Gerschner Torch 13 D r. Charles Ware is president of Crossroads Bible College of Indianapolis (formerly Baptist Bible College). Dr. Ware can be heard twice weekly on Crossroad’s radio broadcasts. As the co-founder of the Voice of Biblical Reconciliation, Dr. Ware is a regular speaker on racial reconciliation in churches, schools, colleges, seminaries, conferences, camps, prisons, and at civic functions around the world. A riveting speaker, Dr. Ware speaks at chapels for the Indiana Pacers and assists the chaplain of the Indianapolis Colts. Dr. Ware and his wife, Sharon, have been married for 25 years and have six children: Kristin, Timothy (a 1997 Cedarville University graduate), Jonathan, Matthew, Karen, and Justin. writes, “Most argue that a noxious arrogance had infected the company—an arrogance based on the conviction that IBM’s historic achievements gave its employees the right to believe the company had all the answers.” That same curse can affect any of us individually. It can happen to us in our churches. It can happen to us at Cedarville University. What brought IBM to its knees? Pride. And unless we are careful, it could happen to us. To be effective leaders with impact today, tomorrow, and for all eternity, we must be people of integrity, skill, and humility. Let’s look to God to help us model those characteristics to a world desperately seeking leaders. D r. Paul Dixon has been president of Cedarville University since 1978. He maintains an active preaching schedule as well as providing leadership to the faculty, staff, and students at Cedarville. Dr. Dixon earned his B.A. at Tennessee Temple University, his M.Div. at Temple Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Ed.D. from the University of Cincinnati. He was granted the D.D. by Tennessee Temple University and the LL.D. by Liberty University. He and his wife, Pat, have a son, Scott, and five grandchildren. Scott and his wife, Sara (Beattie), are 1984 Cedarville graduates; Scott is an assistant professor of Bible at the University. T glimpse of the worthiness of Jesus and was caught up in worship. Everything you need for Christian ministry is tied up in the person of Jesus Christ. Make Him your vision! T kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.’ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, ‘Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.’ And the four beasts said, ‘Amen.’ And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” Every creature in Heaven caught a (continued from page 10)