24
differences and encourage unity in the essentials of the
faith as the best way to keep the CCCU focused on the cause
of Christ-centered higher education.
33
Like Dellenback and
Augsburger before him, he recognizes that if evangelical
boundaries are too circumscribed, the CCCU will not be able
to function effectively as an interest group representing
Christian higher education. Thus, like his predecessors,
Andringa has exemplified an evangelical ecumenism in
keeping the CCCU centered on the common goals of its
members; if anything, he probably has been more vocal than
the previous two presidents on the need for unity.
Moreover, Andringa has followed the tracks of
Dellenback and Augsburger in expanding the CCCU's base,
which at the same time has heightened denominational
diversity. As of 2001, several schools joined for the
first time from the following ecclesiastical traditions:
Churches of Christ (Abilene Christian, David Lipscomb, and
Oklahoma Christian); Christian Church/Churches of Christ
(Kentucky Christian); Southern Baptist (Cumberland of
Kentucky, East Texas Baptist, Houston Baptist, Howard
Payne, Judson of Alabama, North Greenville, Southwest
33
Robert C. Andringa, "Relevance, Quality and Unity--Our
Three Guiding Themes," The News, September 1994, 2. On his
parachurch background, see Patterson, Shining Lights, 80.