Season's
End
In one of his last interviews as president
of MBI, Dr. Joseph Stowell speaks candidly about leadership, his years at
MBI, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
It's 1986. The Cold War is still raging, The Cosby Show was the most popular
show on television, and a young Midwestern pastor named Joseph Stowell is
approached about becoming the seventh president of Moody Bible Institute.
Though at the time Dr. Stowell was not a national figure in evangelicalism,
MBI's Board of Trustees sensed his passion for the mission of Moody and his
giftedness for the position, and they extended an invitation for him to
serve at MBI.
After Stowell and his wife, Martie, had bathed the decision in much prayer
and sought the counsel of trusted friends, he accepted the position. “What
finally put us over the top was the sense that our commitment and calling to
ministry could be multiplied in the lives of the next generation at Moody,”
Stowell said. “Bottom line, we came for the students.” In retrospect he
feels that the highest reward of his tenure at Moody has been to see the
students grow in the Lord and their commitment to His cause during their
four years at Moody. He describes the opportunity to visit with graduates in
their fields of service as “like pay day!”
Stowell has valued MBI's significant legacy of unwavering allegiance to its
biblical and theological roots, and he is thankful that today Moody is as
deeply committed to the Word as it was the day he arrived. “I think, as a
whole, that we at Moody are more strongly committed to our mission today
than ever before.” Throughout his service he has always felt that it was
important to know what must not change and to guard those things with
unyielding resolve. It's equally important to “know what must change and
carefully process the change to keep the ministry growing in effectiveness.”
He hastens to note that nothing of importance could have happened without
the grace and pleasure of God. He is grateful for “the good team that has
served with me and the many donors and prayer partners who have helped to
support the progress of MBI during these years.” This progress has been
noteworthy:
-
Several building projects have been completed that expand the potential of the campus.
-
A strategically focused curriculum revision for the Undergraduate School was put into place to guarantee that Moody's training remains relevant in a rapidly changing culture.
-
Several new ministry-focused programs were also added to the graduate school and distance education divisions.
-
A major effort to provide biblical training for anyone, anywhere at anytime resulted in Moody courses being offered online.
-
Dr. Stowell stressed a campus-wide commitment to reflect the body of Christ by emphasizing the need for increased diversity in the Moody family.
-
The Broadcasting division saw a significant increase in the number of Moody-owned radio stations and the launch of its international impact through Moody programming on the Internet.
-
At Moody Publishers two new lines, Northfield and Lift Every Voice, were added to the publishing venues.
The Making of a Leader
Now 60, Dr. Stowell, looks back and notes that he can see how God had been
preparing him all his life for his role at Moody. “The church I grew up in,
where I attended school, marrying Martie, and the churches I pastored all
had a part in shaping my life and perspectives to match the mission and
ministry of MBI.”
Speaking about his view of leadership, Stowell says, “The most important
thing for a Christian leader to remember is that we are not first and
foremost leaders. We are followers—followers of Christ. I was called by
Christ to be a follower of Him before I came to Moody, I have sought to
maintain that commitment while at Moody, and I will be a follower of Jesus
on February 28 as I leave Moody. We are in trouble when we find our identity
in our position. It's our calling as followers that must define who we are
and how we approach our leadership responsibilities. Positions come and go;
our calling in Christ is a lifelong strategy.”
Stowell identifies his main areas of giftedness as teaching, preaching, and
leadership. While serving as president of MBI, he has had many opportunities
to preach God's Word. But given the reality of the organizational complexity
and scope of the Institute, most of his time and energy needed to be focused
on administration and leadership.
One of his responsibilities was the ongoing need to maintain the Institute's
financial stability. “We don't have deep pockets at Moody, so the need for
resources is always in front of us.” he explained. And while he recognizes
that, as he put it, “fighting the fiscal challenges” occupied a portion of
his time and attention, he looks back with gratitude at God's steady and
abundant provision of the necessary wisdom and resources to get the job
done.
His efforts on this front may well reap long-term dividends for the
Institute. Thanks to some tough decisions made during the last few years,
including closing some longstanding ministries, Stowell now leaves his
successor a solid financial base. The new president can take the Institute
into what Stowell believes will be its best years yet.
But Stowell doesn't want his legacy to be primarily about numbers or
finances—or not even the expansion and upgrading of the core ministries of
Moody. “I would like to think that people will remember me for loving our
students, encouraging our employees, keeping Moody looking forward, and
lifting up Jesus on our campus.”
Looking Ahead
Now, as his presidency comes to an end, Dr. Stowell notes, “This isn't the
first time that Moody has gone through this transition. In each season of
change, God has provided a leader who has been different from the previous
leader, yet perfectly suited for the time and challenges of a new day at
Moody. I have an unshakable confidence that this is what God has in store
for us.”
As for his future, he is preparing to return to his roots. Once again, he
will serve God in a local church. He has accepted the position of
teaching-pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. In
addition to his preaching ministry there, he hopes to continue his radio,
conference, and writing ministries.
Dr. Stowell believes that his time at Moody may have been the most
productive ministry season of his life—his best years, in many ways. But, as
he says, “Life is seasonal, and God has now called me and Moody into new and
productive seasons to advance the cause of Christ.” He is grateful that, due
to God's grace and provision, he is able to pass on to his successor a
forward-looking ministry whose biblical roots and fiscal strength provide a
platform for new and effective ministry into the future.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1, Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a
season for every activity under heaven.” As we go through this time of
transition here at Moody, no doubt some will feel a little nostalgic for the
past. But as in every transition at Moody, Stowell reminds us that “God is
with us and will lead us forward! The future is now, and the need of the
world for Jesus has never been so profound!”
Thank you, Dr. Stowell, for your years of service here. We pray for God's
continued blessing for the work that you and Moody will continue to pursue
for the kingdom of Christ!
Kapiolani
Halemaumau
Reprinted from the February 2005 issue of TODAY IN THE WORD
Moody Bible Institute, Stewardship
Department,
820 N. LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60610
All material is copyrighted by Moody Bible Institute and its contributors.
Published by Moody Bible
Institute.