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Abilene Christian University President Allowed to Keep Position after Divorce

  • Russ Jones Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Aug 29, 2014

The trustees at Abilene Christian University (ACU) have determined that Phil Schubert will retain his position as president even in the face of divorce proceedings for “irreconcilable differences.”

Schubert’s wife, Jamie, filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage. The couple has three young children. 

The Christian Chronicle, the official newspaper for newspaper for Churches of Christ, reports that Board Chairman Barry Packer shared the decision delivered that message in an email sent this week to the West Texas university's 400 faculty and staff members, a university spokesman confirmed. 

The full text of the email:

“Abilene Christian University president Dr. Phil Schubert and his wife, Jamie, have experienced challenges in their marriage, leading recently to divorce proceedings. The Board of Trustees is deeply saddened about the situation and its effect on their family. We believe the covenant of marriage is created by God. We also believe strongly in the power of grace in a broken world and the call to be peacemakers.

We have been in prayer for the Schubert family, the ACU community and for the trustees to have wisdom and discernment in reaching a decision regarding Dr. Schubert’s continued leadership of the university.

Our responsibility is to make decisions that best align ACU with its critical mission and Christ-centered heritage while ensuring its long-term success. Therefore, we’ve taken great steps to gain perspective on Dr. Schubert’s ability to be an effective leader in light of his present situation.

The trustees have agonized with the decision, praying fervently and investing significant time in dialogue. Based upon our discussions with Phil, we are confident he is a man of deep integrity, is pursuing God, and that his leadership will continue to bless ACU.

As a result, the Board of Trustees has concluded that we will continue to support Dr. Schubert in his role as president, while ensuring ACU’s mission is being fulfilled and its heritage upheld.

This is a highly personal matter for the Schubert family and we want to respect their privacy. Our hope is that the ACU community will support the board’s decision while continuing to pray for Phil and Jamie and their children, as well as for the trustees and our great university.”

Schubert, 45, has served the West Texas university since 2010. The Church of Christ affiliated institution has 4,500 students. 

Publication date: August 29, 2014