DALLAS—Criswell College President Jerry Johnson, citing philosophical differences with the chancellor and the trustee board, resigned Aug. 5 during a called meeting of the trustee executive committee.

The Texas native and Criswell graduate's resignation followed a publicly aired disagreement over the school’s relationship with the Dallas church that W.A. Criswell pastored for 50 years.

According to a statement issued by Board Chairman Michael Deahl, “The resignation was due to philosophical differences the President had with the chancellor and trustee leadership about the future of Criswell College. Dr. Johnson will continue to serve as President until Aug. 15, 2008, which is the effective date of the resignation.  After that date an interim president appointed by the Trustee Executive Committee will begin to serve.

“On a personal level and on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I want to express gratitude for the leadership Dr. Johnson has provided at Criswell College during the four years of his presidency and for all of the accomplishments that have been achieved at the College and KCBI under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, which are too numerous to mention,” Deahl stated in a release provided to the TEXAN. “I firmly believe that, due in no small part to Dr. Johnson’s contributions, the greatest days at Criswell College are yet to come.”

Deahl added, “I also want to encourage the entire Criswell College family—faculty, staff, students, trustees and supporters—to band together during this transition in leadership to insure that we achieve to the fullest extent possible the vision that God has for Criswell  College in the days that lie ahead.”

As the first entity to affiliate with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Criswell College currently receives $312,977 in the 2008 budget, the largest line item in the SBTC’s allocations to facilitating ministries in Texas.  

SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards responded to the news, stating, “Dr. Johnson is a personal friend and trusted co-laborer in the gospel. I am saddened by his resignation. He strengthened and expanded Criswell College’s partnership with the 2000-plus churches of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The college’s radio station, KCBI, has become a strong voice for biblical preaching. College faculty and administration strategized with the SBTC in evangelism, church planting and local church ministries at a higher level under Dr. Johnson’s leadership. While the Criswell College is a recipient of 3.25 percent of in-state SBTC Cooperative Program budget receipts, the relationship is mutually beneficial and synergistic for kingdom work.”

As recently as May 22, First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress confirmed that the college trustees had voted to continue the relationship with First Baptist Dallas, adding, “We’re committed to continue to work together. There’s really no newsworthy action taken other than really just a desire to continue the relationship that we’re enjoying right now,” he stated following the meeting.

The relationship continued to deteriorate over the summer