Researcher compares assets and enrollment of major fundamentalist educational institutions

I have to say - there’s certainly a number of bloggers out there who are doing their best to “uncover” Bob Jones University … (read uncover as discredit). I have to wonder how in the world there can be so much bitterness … It’s said I think. I read these blogs and think to my time there. One in particular is interesting as the blogger was there when I was .. tho’ he was a few years behind me. His take .. memories and mine are SO different.

Don’t have much to comment on the particular one .. finances have for me always been a muddle .. BUT when I see in his news feed other blogs that are SO NASTY .. I have to wonder as to the intent of this one..

How did he get the info on the total assets of the various schools? I assume these schools have to file a 990, or in the case of BJU, maybe something different. Did he ask for and get access to these?

First, a question: On what basis is this being described as the work of a “researcher”? That seems like an official title, but I have not been able to find any qualifications or bio info on Karl Nashorn at the site. If you have additional info, please share.

Two comments:
1. I appreciate the fact that the admission is made on the site that “all data used by BJUnumbers have been painstakingly researched, although the resulting opinions have not.” That last part is very important to note since that should be factored into the evaluation of the site. Further, it should also remind us that data is usually also selected on the basis of opinions. IOW, he is not giving all of the information, but the information that serves the point he is making. I don’t mean anything sinister by that comment; it is just the way news is reported these days. That makes it very important for readers to assess the bias that might affect the selection of data presented and the opinions which are offered. Think back to the University of Anglea reports on global warming.
2. I am not an accountant, so I clearly do not want to pose as an expert here, but it doesn’t take long looking at the numbers to know that he has given, in a few cases, a false impression by the use of numbers which are not necessarily relevant to his point. For instance, without more information it seems very unwise to draw the inferences he has about investment return. As I said, I’m only a pastor, but I do pastor a church with significant resources and look at numbers in that category regularly. There is a lot more that needs to be known than he has provided before anybody could draw firm conclusions about the issue.

I’m all for the light of day, but this site doesn’t bring the light of day. It may be simply setting up a light of its own to shine on the information that it has purposely chosen in order to create the hue it desires.

I’ll bet my friends in Ankeny (who tend to fly under the fundy radar) are happy to be ignored on this list of “major fundamentalist institutions.”

I agree with Dave D—my personal preference is toward complete transparency among institutions (after ally, they’re church- and parent- funded). But we have yet to reach full disclosure. This is more like a selective outing.

I wonder where our schools stand on the matter of ECFA membership?

In our desire to be ‘blameless and harmless’, I think the methods that ‘researchers’ employ to critique Christian institutions should be considered. That info is out there for anyone to aggregate and present in any way they choose. It is more important than ever for us to think about our methodologies, financially, spiritually, ethically…

I can’t read the chart well, but it looks like BJU has assets of 131m and Pensacola of 311m while Liberty has assets in the 400’sm. I have been on the campuses of both schools, and I can’t see where Pensacola’s physical assets are more than double BJU. I wonder if valuing such assets isn’t a big guessing game, some may be conservative and others rather generous in assessing the value of buildings. But, maybe Pensacola has 100m+ in the bank.

First of all, if you look carefully at the graphs, you’ll see that they are misleading. It’s like the East Anglia and the hockey stick graph. Basically, to evaluate these numbers fairly, you’ve got to punch them into Excel for yourself and do the graph function in order to get the right perspective. That’s something I’m working on when I get the time this week.

Secondly, if you look at the point of the endowment and investing data, it’s clear that he’s trying to make a point. That’s the problem. If he just gave us the data, then I wouldn’t even feel the need to have a point to the data.

[KevinM] I’ll bet my friends in Ankeny (who tend to fly under the fundy radar) are happy to be ignored on this list of “major fundamentalist institutions.”

Yes, Kevin, but happy or not, I am always somewhat puzzled that Faith — one of the oldest fundamentalist schools in the nation — is omitted from such discussions.
I was just thinking the other day how there has been virtually no news about Faith to come out since the discussions ended on the potential merger with Central, which received tons of publicity from the whole thing — whether that is good or bad… H:)

I wonder where our schools stand on the matter of ECFA membership?

I might be wrong but I only saw Cornerstone, Crossroads Bible, Baptist Bible College of PA, and Calvary Bible College and Seminary of KC. on their web page that have fundamentalist ties. Of course Cornerstone is more conservative evangelical, but they still are connected with alot of West Michigan GARBC churches…..

One needs to be careful in evaluating asset numbers on 990’s and college financial statements. Assets are recorded at cost, meaning they are recorded at the original purchase price or construction cost. The older the institutions could have the same real property “value”, yet have a lower number on their financials because the property was purchased or constructed many years ago.

Obviously, from the postings linked to these charts and financial figures, the “researcher” has a bone to pick with Bob Jones University for something that happened to him close to 30 years ago.

Proverbs 22:24-25 leads me to suspect anything he posts.

The information can be accurate regardless of the author’s motives. What is good is that perspectives such as Bro. Doran’s and Bro. Barry’s bring more light to how this information is being spun and other factors that affect how it should be interpreted.