Dr. James Riley Estep Jr. was announced as founding dean of Lincoln Christian Institute last week by Lincoln (Ill.) Christian University president Silas McCormick.
“The purpose of the Institute is to take the biblical, theological, and worldview educational opportunities that we offer in our classes and degrees, repackage them, and make them accessible to the many people in churches who need and want them but aren’t going to take a class to get them,” McCormick said.
“These matters are foundational to do the work of growing the kingdom,” McCormick said. “And while all of our faculty will be a part of the Institute, we knew we needed someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to equipping the church to lead it.”
Estep previously served 18 years at LCU; during his tenure, he was professor of Christian education and held several administrative roles, including dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies. Currently, Estep serves as vice president of academics at Central Christian College of the Bible, in Moberly, Mo. He will begin his new role with Lincoln Christian Institute on June 1.
As we reported Feb. 24, LCU has announced sweeping changes to its program offerings in response to flagging enrollment and a challenging financial picture. It will be eliminating all non-ministry degree programs. It will retain its seminary offerings and just two bachelor’s level programs—a BA in Bible & Theology and a BA in Christian Ministry—as it narrows its focus to ministry education.
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