Dr. Royce Money, Chancellor and former president of ACU, has been named the first executive director of the Institute for Church Ministry. The decision was announced to the faculty and staff on Aug. 22.

The new Institute for Church Ministry took formation at the beginning of the year when President Schubert asked Dr. Money to do an assessment of churches’ relation to ACU. Dr. Money met with several people to discuss the betterment of church relations. The assessment was delivered to President Schubert by Dr. Money in early June. A few weeks later the president asked him if he would take over the project.

“I’m a churchman,” he said. “I was in full time ministry for 14 years before I came to Abilene Christian, so it seemed to be a natural thing to do. I’m also a faculty member in the College of Biblical Studies, so I have a good network of people. It seemed to be something that was needed and I”m certainly willing to do it.”

He said the work he is doing is an extension of the work done by his personal friend, Dr. Charles Siburt, who served as the director for the Office of Church Relations. Dr. Siburt passed away in early July.

“In simple terms, the Institute for Church Ministry is the vehicle by which ACU carries on a meaningful relationship with churches. It’s the new version of the old Church Relations position.”

An example of the services offered by the institute include workshops for elders which will be held across the country. The institute also will provide resources for ministers and church leaders.  Dr. Money said he plans to talk with ministers and church leaders to ask what they need.

Dr. Money described the new program as a “work in progress” because it is in the process of forming. He said the focus of the program was based on ACU’s desire to reach out to churches and serve their needs.

“I believed at the time we needed to give new emphasis to providing services for local churches,” he said. “Our primary constituents are Churches of Christ, but our services are available to any church who wants to use them.”

He said the loss of his friend “Charlie” Siburt was “inestimable.” He said that instead of taking Dr. Siburt’s place, he is simply “taking up the cause.”