This last week I had the privilege of visiting California Baptist University (CBU) and having lunch with the President, Dr Ron Ellis. Dr Ellis has had a remarkable career at CBU taking the student numbers from 800 students to 10,000 in his presidency.

Speaking with Dr Ellis over lunch it was fascinating to hear how they had structured the university and that regardless of what is studied, students still had to clock up 15 chapel attendances a semester, regardless of religious conviction. Granted their numbers and chapel is a ‘little’ larger than where I work

Context is everything and what Dr Ellis was describing reflects the context of the East coast of America and the general relationship the country has with Christianity.

It is an interesting question, to ponder, what actually makes a university Baptist and how one maintains Baptist identity whilst teaching across a broad range of subjects.

Furthermore it was interesting to hear how Dr Ellis had created a physical environment which referenced Christianity. For example in the picture below, which is the main entrance, it is called Great Commission Plaza.

Teams that are sent out on short term mission gather around the globe for prayer before they leave.

The question, therefore, for me and you to ponder, is what really makes a university Baptist?