All-a-Board: Inrig elected chair
November 21, 2006
Angela Wiebe
Dr. Gary Inrig was elected Chair of the Trinity Western University Board of Governors at its mid-October meeting. In an interview via email, Inrig shared his insights and hopes for the future of TWU.
Q: First, tell us a little bit about your background – your education, career and your current work.
A: I’m a Vancouver boy, born there, and I did my BA at the University of British Columbia. I then did a Th. M. at Dallas Theological Seminary (and later a D. Min), and came back to Canada to teach at what is now Providence College and Seminary, where I worked alongside former TWU president Neil Snider. I then pastored at Bethany Chapel in Canada for 17 years. I pastored in Dallas for three years and did some Seminary teaching. I have pastored Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Redlands for the last 14 years.
Q: You’ve been a Board member since 1994. How and why did you step into this position?
A: I have had a long interest in TWU, having spoken there a number of times over the years and taught at least one summer session. And my oldest daughter is an alumna (1992). I was elected to the Board by the Evangelical Free Church of America, as one of its seven board members. I served two three-year terms, was off the Board for perhaps two years, and then was chosen to serve again.
Q: What do you feel is the role of the Board within TWU?
A: The primary responsibility of the Board is both clear and complex. We are responsible to govern the university (through policies we establish and leaders we appoint), to steward and develop its resources, and to ensure its mission is being fulfilled. Our primary responsibility is to the Lord Jesus, to lead in such a way that His glory is seen and His purposes are fulfilled. Then there are a host of stakeholders – students, faculty, staff, parents, the Christian community, and the larger community.
Q: What do you feel are the Board’s biggest challenges?
A: One of our challenges is to provide him with the help he needs. We face major financial challenges and long to see a deeper and broader financial base. Recent challenges have led us to see the need to reevaluate some of the Board’s basic operating procedures, so we have our plate full.
Q: Do you feel that the Board should have student representation?
A: The question of student representation is a significant one that the Board needs to address, but it would be inappropriate to express an opinion without being better informed than I am at present, and without the input of both my Board colleagues and other partners in the process.
Q: What changes are ahead, with President Raymond now at the head of TWU?
A: I’m not a prophet, so I can’t predict what particular things will change. I know that the truly important things that come from our commitment to honour Christ will not. Some things will change that are a matter of style; others will change because recent challenges have revealed weaknesses that must be addressed; and others will change, as the Lord leads the Board, Dr. Raymond, and the leadership team to see new opportunities.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish as Chair during the next three years?
A: My major concerns are to be sure the Board provides as much help to Dr. Raymond as we can, to enable us to be more effective in the way we go about our business, to be forward looking so that we are responding to opportunities and not merely reacting to problems, and to ensure our faithfulness to our triune God and his revealed Word, while at the same time maximizing the relevance of our contributions. Most of all, I pray that I won’t be a hindrance to what the Lord wants to do.
Now you go...
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