Southern fires 94 people

I don't know what's going on either, but I'm not surprised to see ABP putting a negative spin on it: "Employees were upset by the news, according to reports. There are couples losing their jobs, as well as others who provide the sole support for their families. Four of the employees are international students, whose employment options are limited because they are here on student visas. Smith said the seminary and Sodexho are investigating legal questions about their employment."

According to what reports? Couples are losing their jobs, but will they not be able to work for the new company? "Anonymous reports" and an article written by "ABP staff." One would think that such a short article could have been written by one, named, person.

Of course, we all hate to see people negatively affected by moves that employers/administrators believe in the best interest of the institution. I know the administration at SBTS, and I'm sure that measures are being taken to aid the persons affected by this change.

Blessings,
Bill

 

It is always sad to hear of people losing their jobs. It is also sad to hear of people who are the sole support of their families losing their jobs. However, they are being allowed to interview for the same job with the company that is coming in. I don't know how many will get their same job back, but I would bet the grounds people here at SBTS will look pretty similar come April 1.

It also doesn't surprise me too much. The goal here has been to equip pastors, teachers, missionaries, etc. Not manage people who are doing repairs etc.

As to how it affects the education, someone's responsibility was to oversee the maintenance group. He probably had a boss, and perhaps that boss had a boss. If he now moves into something other than overseeing them, that is two or three people who are not focusing on something besides education.

Best case would have been a deal with this company that would guarentee a job to any current employee that wanted to switch companies.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Thank you for sharing such a positive and encouraging story.

... Terrible, liberal, secular press ...

 

On a side note, since when is people feeling upset when they lose their job considered newsworthy? I mean, if I lose my job at the company I'm working for right now, I'll be upset.

 

PR always plague us Baptists (especially Southern)

 

Thanks, rsr, for finding the original story.

I'm not so sure this is a PR problem because of a lack of preparation on Southern's part. Whenever a decision is made that affects so many people, there are going to be negative ramifications regardless of the preparation. The Courier-Journal is not typically a friend of Southern---SBTS is much too conservative for C-J's taste (I was a subscriber for seven years). On the whole, though, I think the ABP would have served readers better if they had simply carried C-J's original article.

Regardless, I hope that between natural attrition and hiring by the new company, the displaced workers will be able to find new jobs.

Blessings,
Bill

 

Just fits right along with the secular mindset of outsourcing. I believe evry seminary student ought to be required to work in seminary. I have seen some lazy people studying to be pastors. Some of their parents "own an oil well."

The SBC could save a lot of money by getting rid of five other presidents and just having one.

If I remember right the seminary also got rid of its child care too.

Just reminds me of another case of what Baylor University had done by hiring non-believers. What a example to mix the world with theological education. Southern is supposed to be teaching the Bible and obedience but here they are mixing the secular pracices of the business world and religion. They have now lowered themselves to be equal with the world. Mohler is still a young kid and will hurt the seminary and SBC by this move.

Never once have I ever seen any benefit by this kind of an arrangement.