E. LeBron Fairbanks

Dr.
E. LeBron Fairbanks
D.Min., M.Th., M.Div., M.A., A.B.
Education Commissioner emeritus
Church Church of the Nazarene
Predecessor Dr. Jerry Lambert
Successor Dr. Daniel R. Copp
Other posts 3rd Education Commissioner, Church of the Nazarene
5th President, MVNU
2nd President, APNTS
Associate Professor, BNC
Academic Dean, ENBC
Orders
Ordination 1970, Tennessee
Personal details
Born (1942-07-27) July 27, 1942
Chattanooga, Tennessee, US
Nationality American
Denomination Church of the Nazarene
Parents Edward T. Fairbanks
Bernice Woody Fairbanks
Spouse Edith Anne James Fairbanks
Profession educator, minister, missionary, administrator,
Alma mater Trevecca Nazarene College
Scarritt College
NTS
PTS

E. LeBron Fairbanks (born July 27, 1942 in Chattanooga, Tennessee) is a retired American ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene who is President emeritus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, President emeritus of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, and who served the Church of the Nazarene as the Education Commissioner from March 2008 to September 2011.[1] Additionally, Fairbanks was an editor in the Church Schools Department of the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri; Academic Dean of European Nazarene Bible College in Busingen, Germany (1978–1982); Associate Professor of Christian Education and Lay Ministry Development, and Coordinator of the Master of Ministry program at Bethany Nazarene College (1982–1984); the 2nd President of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippines from September 1984 to July 1989; and the 5th President of Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) in Mount Vernon, Ohio for over 17 years from July 1989 until his retirement on January 31, 2007.[2][3]

Early life and education

Edward LeBron Fairbanks was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 27, 1942,[4] the oldest of the four children of Edward T. Fairbanks (born February 27, 1918 in Chattanooga, Tennessee; died April 1977 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania),[5] a woodworker at the Cavalier Furniture Company,[6] and his wife, Ruby Bernice Woody Fairbanks (born August 30, 1916 in Alabama; died March 31, 1973 in Hialeah, Florida),[7][8][9] a knitter in a hosiery mill.[10] Fairbanks is the older brother of Charles Freeman Fairbanks;[11] Carolyn Faye Fairbanks-Alford Lawson;[12] and Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Russ Fairbanks,[13] who served as a pastor with the Church of the Nazarene for 28 years, and was District Superintendent of the Northwestern Ohio District, Church of the Nazarene (1998–2008).[14]

By 1955, Edward T. Fairbanks was a policeman and Bernice was a cashier at a Red Food store in Chattanooga, and they were residing with their three surviving children at the Woodlawn Apartments, a low income housing complex.[15] Fairbanks later described his childhood years as impoverished,[16] unhappy and miserable, primarily due to his father's alcoholism.[17][18]

In December 2010, Fairbanks, reflecting on his childhood, wrote: "As children, my brother and sister heard often from an earthly father that we were nothing. But God, by His mercy and grace found us and transformed us, chose to call us and use us!"[19]

Hialeah, FL (1956–1960)

Due to the deterioration of her marriage, in 1956 Bernice and her children moved to Hialeah, Florida in northwest Miami to live with Fairbanks' aunt.[20] Later, Bernice and her three children lived in a two bedroom flat-roofed house.[21] From 1956 to 1960, Fairbanks attended Hialeah High School.[22][23] To help supplement the family income and pay for his education, Fairbanks worked afternoons after school at the local A&P grocery store.[24]

As a teenager, Fairbanks and his mother and siblings attended the Church of the Nazarene at 310 East 5th Street in Hialeah.[25] In the summer of 1959, Fairbanks attended a summer church camp meeting. During a Saturday morning service, he responded to an invitation from the pastor and prayed, surrounded by friends. For Fairbanks, "this was a defining and clarifying moment that had obvious implications for the rest of his life."[26] In a 2007 interview Fairbanks commented:

"I remember going back to my high school and telling my best friend at the time that something significant had just happened to me and I would not be doing the things and going to the places we used to. I really wanted to be a Christian.[27]

Fairbanks also now had the desire to attend college.[28] A few months after his conversion in 1959, during his senior year of high school, Fairbanks was diagnosed with leukemia, and advised that he would not live.[29] In December 2010 Fairbanks recalled:

Within months following a life transforming, grace initiated conversion to Christ, I was diagnosed with leukemia. My parents were told that I would not leave the hospital alive. My worst night in the hospital was when I received a long distance telephone call in my hospital room from a friend who wanted to talk to me before I 'died.' A healing and prayer was held in my room with family and friends from the local Nazarene Church. Within weeks, I left the hospital.[30]

After four years of regular medical appointments, Fairbanks was advised there was no longer any traces of the disease.[31] Fairbanks preached his first sermon in the Church of the Nazarene in Hialeah as one of the congregation's "preacher boys".[32]

Trevecca Nazarene College (1960–1964)

In the fall of 1960, Fairbanks enrolled at Trevecca Nazarene College (TNC) in Nashville, Tennessee,[33] the first person in his extended family of thirteen brothers and sisters of his mother and four siblings of his father to enroll in a college or university.[34] In his first week at TNC,[35] Fairbanks met his future wife, classmate Edith Anne James (born September 16, 1942 in Gainesville, Georgia). Soon after enrolling at TNC, Fairbanks "responded to what I perceived as a call of God to pastoral ministry."[36] In 2009 Fairbanks recalled:

I remember repeating often to myself as a young theological student these words, "if I am going to be a pastor, then I want to be the best trained pastor I can be." ... It was during these years that a fascination with Wesleyan theology developed as I absorbed the teaching of Drs. William Greathouse, John Allan Knight (sic) and Bill Strickland.[37]

During his sophomore year at TNC, Fairbanks had a significant spiritual experience. In 2004, he recalled:

Something very significant happened to me spiritually in my sophomore year. I remember the date - January 17, 1962. Revival services were being held on campus. In some way, God gripped my heart through the singing and preaching. I remember going to my room following the service. I made a little altar out of a milk carton box. That night I was sanctified through and through. I came to the point of saying to God, "If I am going to be a Christian, I want to be the best Christian I can. I don't want to play games. I don't want to go halfway. Here's my life. Translate my testimony of faith to integrity in life. I want my words spoken and deeds done to flow from what I believe and affirm." From the depth of my heart, that night, and by the grace of God, I spoke a "forever yes!" to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.[38][39]

Fairbanks and Anne James were married on June 22, 1962. Fairbanks graduated from TNC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964.

Career

Following graduation, Fairbanks became an associate pastor at Grace Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee. Simultaneously, he enrolled in Scarritt College, a Methodist graduate school, to complete a Master of Arts in Christian Education, which he completed in 1967.[40]

In 1967, Fairbanks became a member of the editorial staff of the Church of the Nazarene's Department of Church Schools located at the International Headquarters of the denomination in Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked closely with Dr. Albert F. Harper and Dr. Kenneth Rice. Concurrently, Fairbanks enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Nazarene Theological Seminary, and was a teaching assistant to Dr. Chester "Chet" Galloway, the first professor of Christian Education at NTS. As part of that responsibility, Fairbanks taught his first class - Christian Education of Children. Fairbanks graduated with an M.Div. in 1970.[41] In 1970, Fairbanks was ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene by the Tennessee District.[42]

Pastor, Church of the Nazarene, Pennsylvania (1971–1978)

After becoming pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1971, Fairbanks enrolled at and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS) with a Master of Theology, where he served as teaching assistant to Dr. D. Campbell Wyckoff, "the premier Christian education theorist in the United States during the ’60s to ’80s."[43] Later in 1971, Fairbanks enrolled in inaugural Doctor of Ministry program at PTS.

In 1974, Fairbanks left the Norristown church to become associate pastor at the Immanuel Church of the Nazarene in Lansdale, Pennsylvania; however. in 1975 he left to become pastor of the Community Church of the Nazarene in West Grove, Pennsylvania, a position he held until 1978. From 1975 to 1978, Fairbanks was President of the Nazarene Young People's Society (from 1976 Nazarene Youth International) on the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene. In June 1976, Fairbanks was elected to a four-year term as a member of the General Council of Nazarene Youth International at the quadrennial General Convention held in Dallas, Texas. In 1978 he resigned each of these positions to accept the invitation to become Academic Dean of European Nazarene Bible College.[44]

Despite completing the coursework in pastoral ministry and receiving the Fellow in Pastoral Leadership Education in 1976, Fairbanks eventually withdrew from the D.Min. program at PTS before submitting his thesis as he was increasingly engrossed in pastoral ministry.[45]

After attending the Continental Congress on the Family, a national conference of 1800 evangelical Christians that met in St. Louis, Missouri the week of October 13, 1975,[46] and with the encouragement of Dr. James D. Hamilton,[47] professor of pastoral care and counseling at NTS, Fairbanks enrolled in NTS’s first Doctor of Ministry class in 1976. More than thirty years later Fairbanks indicated: "It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in life."[48] In 1978, Fairbanks graduated with the Doctor of Ministry degree from NTS after submitting a thesis, "Strengthening Family Communication in the Christian Home: A Family Enrichment Retreat."

Academic Dean, ENBC (1978–1982)

In 1978, Fairbanks became the Academic Dean of European Nazarene Bible College (ENBC) in Büsingen, Germany. By 1979 Fairbanks initiated and chaired a self-study committee.[49] Under his leadership, ENBC expanded the curricular choices by including the Bachelor of Arts program offered in conjunction with MidAmerica Nazarene College.[50] Additionally, Fairbanks worked to implement a special relationship with MANC both to share faculty and to allow selected ENBC students to graduate with baccalaureate degrees accredited through the U.S.’s North Central Association.[51]

Professor, BNC (1982–1984)

In 1982, Fairbanks became Associate Professor of Christian Education and Lay Ministry Development, and Coordinator of the Master of Ministry program at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma.[52]

2nd President, APNTS (1984–1989)

In April 1984, the Board of General Superintendents elected Fairbanks as the second President of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) in Kaytikling, Taytay, Rizal, Philippines,[53] to succeed founding President Dr. Donald D. Owens, who also was Regional Director of the Asia Region of the Church of the Nazarene, who had resigned early in 1984 as he had felt that the demands of being both Regional Director of the Asia Region and President of APNTS were too much. Fairbanks visited APNTS for the first time in July 1984, and moved to Manila with Anne and their son, Stephen, in September 1984.[54]

In March 2005, Fairbanks was installed as the first full-time APNTS President by General Superintendent Dr. William M. Greathouse.[55] In addition to being President, Fairbanks taught in the areas of pastoral ministry and Christian education. He turned his attention to separating and transferring the financial records and administration of APNTS from the regional office to the Seminary, and to helping the faculty articulate a mission statement for the school.[56]

Fairbanks resigned from APNTS in July 1989 and was succeeded as President by Dr. John M. Nielson, then a Vice-President of Eastern Nazarene College, and a former missionary to Denmark.[57]

5th President, MVNU (1989–2007)

On July 27, 1989, the Board of Trustees of Mount Vernon Nazarene College elected Fairbanks as MVNC's fifth president, a position he held for over 17 years until his retirement on January 31, 2007.[58]

In 1998, Fairbanks was credited by The New York Times as the originator of the 1994 idea for MVNC and five other Ohio colleges to save money by seeking ways to combine administrative tasks and other resources, resulting in a $4 million grant from the Teagle Foundation, a midsize private philanthropy, to establish the Collaborative Ventures Program.[59]

At the invitation of Bob Ney, chairman of the Subcommittee On Housing and Community Opportunity, in March 2003 Fairbanks testified before a United States congressional subcommittee in favor of the Bush administration's proposal that would make it easier for religious groups to receive federal social security funding, specifically arguing that MVNC wanted to build subsidized housing for low-income students but was prevented by legislation from applying for such aid even though public colleges were eligible.[60][61]

From 1995 until his retirement, Fairbanks was also a professor at MVNU, teaching a one-week module "The Pastor as Leader: Leading a Christian Community of Faith" on four occasions.[62][63]

Retirement (2007–2008)

After Fairbanks left MVNU, he spent a few months at their home in Lakeland, Florida completing Learning to Be Last: Leadership for Congregational Transformation (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2008) that he co-wrote with Stan Toler. Additionally, Fairbanks chaired a Missional Review team assessing the Church of the Nazarene International Board of Education (IBOE) and the role of the Education Commissioner. In late March 2007 Fairbanks travelled to The Netherlands where he participated in meetings of the International Course of Study Advisory Committee (ICOSAC) and the IBOE. The Fairbankses returned to European Nazarene College (EuNC) for the fall 2007 semester and taught in EuNC's extension program throughout Europe.[64]

In September 2007, the APNTS Board of Trustees elected Fairbanks as vice-president for Planning and Development, a non-resident administration position.[65]

In January 2008, Fairbanks became an adjunct professor at APNTS, where he has taught "Organizational Leadership", "Legal, Ethical, and Political Issues in Leadership', and "Spiritual Formation" courses.[66]

3rd Education Commissioner (2008–2011)

Despite having retired, on February 23, 2008 Fairbanks accepted unanimous election as the denomination's 3rd Education Commissioner by the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene.[67]

Other activities

Fairbanks served on the International Course of Study Advisory Committee (ICOSAC) from 1977 to 2011; was a member of the Church of the Nazarene's Education Commission Steering Committee from 1985 to 1989; served from 1995 to 1998 as chair of a Church of the Nazarene Council of Education subcommittee developing a strategic plan for networking and collaboration; from 1998 to 1999 was a member of the writing team member, TEAM CIS (Confederation of Independent States) project; from 1998 to 2000 was a member of the writing team that created the Nazarene Education Manifesto; chaired the committee "Who Owns Ministerial Preparation?" (2001–2002); and served as secretary of the International Church Commission from (2001–2005).[68]

While President of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Fairbanks served on the executive committee of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges; and was a member of the board of directors of the Council of Independent Colleges.[69] was a member of the International Management Council, in Mount Vernon, Ohio; was a member of the Mount Vernon YMCA Board, the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County, the Mount Vernon Rotary Club, and was an honorary chair of Knox Community Hospital’s capital campaign for a new medical pavilion.[70]

Later years

After his retirement as Education Commissioner, in October 2011, Fairbanks and his wife Anne moved to Bradenton, Florida.[71][72]

Personal

On June 22, 1962, Fairbanks married Edith Anne James (born on September 16, 1942 in Gainesville, Georgia).[73] The Fairbankses have one son, Stephen LeBron "Steve" Fairbanks, whom they adopted in 1975,[74] who is employed by the Nazarene Publishing House.[75]

Honors and awards

In 1991, Fairbanks was given the Ministerial "T" Award as the clergy Alumnus of the Year by his alma mater, Trevecca Nazarene University. In 1993 the Asia-Pacific region established a media center on campus of APNTS, that was named the "Fairbanks Media Center" in his honor in 1994 by the Board of Trustees of APNTS.[76]

In 2004, APNTS named Fairbanks President Emeritus of APNTS. After his retirement as president of MVNU, Fairbanks was declared President Emeritus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2007.

In 2011, Fairbanks was presented with a Certificado po Servicio Distinguido by Seminario Theologico Nazareno, Ciudad de Guatemala.

During the 89th Session of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene that met in Overland Park, Kansas in February 2012, Fairbanks' ministry in the Church of the Nazarene was recognized, and the following tribute was included:

Along the way his career and service to the Church of the Nazarene and higher education include a distinguishing characteristic of servant leadership with a strong emphasis on personal integrity.[77]

In 2012, Fairbanks was recognized as a Certified Nonprofit Consultant in Board Development by the National Development Institute.

Works

Theses

Books

Articles

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ "General Board recognizes E. LeBron Fairbanks", NCN News (March 1, 2012).
  2. ↑ "General Board recognizes E. LeBron Fairbanks", NCN News (March 1, 2012).
  3. ↑ "E. Lebron Fairbanks: Sketches", Holiness Today (November–December 2007).
  4. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4-6.
  5. ↑ Number: 410-10-6701; Issue State: Tennessee; Issue Date: Before 1951. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
  6. ↑ United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. Year: 1940; Census Place: Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee; Roll: T627_3951; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 96-9.
  7. ↑ Year: 1920; Census Place: Athens, Limestone, Alabama; Roll: T625_27; Page: 22A; Enumeration District: 98; Image: 922. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  8. ↑ Year: 1930; Census Place: Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee; Roll: 2251; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 852.0; FHL microfilm: 2341985. United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930.
  9. ↑ State of Florida. Florida Death Index, 1877-1998. Florida: Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, 1998.
  10. ↑ Year: 1940; Census Place: Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee; Roll: T627_3953; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 96-72. United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940.
  11. ↑ Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1959; Roll #: 2. Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1958. Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Tennessee City Death Records Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis 1848-1907.
  12. ↑ Dunham "Harry Dunham", The Daily Standard (Celina, OH: October 5, 2005).
  13. ↑ "Dr. Larry R. Fairbanks", Chattanooga Times Free Press (Chattanooga, TN: August 3, 2008).
  14. ↑ "Northwestern Ohio D.S. passes away unexpectedly", NCN News (August 1, 2008).
  15. ↑ Chattanooga City Directory (1955):994.
  16. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):2.
  17. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", April 4, 2011; reprinted from "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", Mount Vernon NOW (Spring 2011).
  18. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):2.
  19. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Advent Reflection #7", December 21, 2010.
  20. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  21. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):1.
  22. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  23. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", April 4, 2011; reprinted from "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", Mount Vernon NOW (Spring 2011).
  24. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  25. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):1.
  26. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  27. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, in Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  28. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):2.
  29. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  30. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Advent Reflection #4", December 16, 2010.
  31. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  32. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):1.
  33. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  34. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Speech, at Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet, MVNU (August 23, 2005):12
  35. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", April 4, 2011; reprinted from "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", Mount Vernon NOW (Spring 2011).
  36. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "A LOOK BACK, A LOOK FORWARD", August 28, 2009.
  37. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "A LOOK BACK, A LOOK FORWARD", August 28, 2009.
  38. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "A Seeker of Christian Character and Integrity", Chapel Message, Mount Vernon Nazarene University (September 8, 2004):2.
  39. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", April 4, 2011; reprinted from "Does a liberal arts education make any difference?", Mount Vernon NOW (Spring 2011).
  40. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  41. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  42. ↑ "E. LeBRON FAIRBANKS: Vita" (2012).
  43. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  44. ↑ "E. LeBRON FAIRBANKS: Vita" (2012).
  45. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  46. ↑ United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights, Proposed Constitutional Amendments on Abortion: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Ninety-fourth Congress, Second Session ... February 4, 5, March 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, 1976, Part 2 (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976):1069.
  47. ↑ "Dr. James D. Hamilton is professor of pastoral theology, emeritus, at Nazarene Theological Seminary. He began his ministry in 1949 as a pastor in Florida and later served as a pastor in Colorado. He was chaplain and associate professor of religion at Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University) from 1961 to 1968 and a professor at Nazarene Theological Seminary from 1968 until 1989. He holds degrees in philosophy, theology, social studies and a Doctor of Education degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Denver. He has been a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of the American Psychological Association. He has taught in undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degree programs and has lectured in 12 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, England, and Germany. He is the author of five books: The Ministry of Pastoral Counseling, Directions, The Pair in your Parsonage, The Faces of God, and Harmony in the Home." See James D. Hamilton, Fundamentals of Christian Counseling (Armstrong Books, 2010).
  48. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, in Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):4.
  49. ↑ Bennett Dudney, E*N*B*C: Miracle in Büsingen (Kansas City, MO: Nazarene Publishing House, 1980):80.
  50. ↑ J. Fred Parker, Mission to the World: A History of Missions in the Church of the Nazarene Through 1985 (Kansas City, MO: Nazarene, 1988):378.
  51. ↑ "Biography - Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks", (2009):1.
  52. ↑ "Biography - Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks", (2009):1.
  53. ↑ Floyd T. Cunningham, "Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary: The First Twenty Years", The Mediator 5:2 (2004):45.
  54. ↑ J. Fred Parker, Mission to the World: A History of Missions in the Church of the Nazarene Through 1985 (Kansas City, MO: Nazarene, 1988):341.
  55. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Tribute to Dr. William Greathouse, 1919 – 2011", March 28, 2011.
  56. ↑ Floyd T. Cunningham, "Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary: The First Twenty Years", The Mediator 5:2 (2004):45.
  57. ↑ Floyd T. Cunningham, "Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary: The First Twenty Years", The Mediator 5:2 (2004):52.
  58. ↑ Dan Werner, "MVNU president retiring Jan. 31 after 17 years", News Journal (Mansfield, OH: December 24, 2006):B.2.
  59. ↑ William H. Honan, "Colleges Agree to Share Chores, But Without Uttering the M-Word", The New York Times (August 12, 1998).
  60. ↑ Genaro C. Armas, "Religious groups debate social services proposal", The Bryan Times (March 26, 2003):3.
  61. ↑ "MVNU President testifies before U.S. House Subcommittee", NCN News (April 3, 2003).
  62. ↑ "E. LeBron Fairbanks: Vita (2012).
  63. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "The Pastor as Leader", April 25, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Fairbanks addresses MVNU community for final time as president", NCN News (January 25, 2007).
  65. ↑ "New leadership for Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary", NCN News (November 1, 2007).
  66. ↑ "E. LeBron Fairbanks: Vita (2012).
  67. ↑ "Fairbanks elected commissioner of education", NCN News (February 23, 2008).
  68. ↑ "Fairbanks elected commissioner of education", NCN News (February 23, 2008).
  69. ↑ "Fairbanks elected commissioner of education", NCN News (February 23, 2008).
  70. ↑ Austin Swallow, "Interested and involved: Fairbanks takes leadership into the community", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):21.
  71. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Final Blog as Education Commissioner", September 30, 2011.
  72. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "Transition Pause", October 19, 2011.
  73. ↑ E. LeBron Fairbanks, "A Seeker of Christian Character and Integrity", Chapel Message, Mount Vernon Nazarene University (September 8, 2004):2.
  74. ↑ Carrie A. Crouch, "Fairbanks’ Legacy: Dream big, and trust in the Lord", Mount Vernon Now 42:1 (Winter 2007):5.
  75. ↑ "General Board recognizes E. LeBron Fairbanks", NCN News (March 1, 2012).
  76. ↑ Floyd T. Cunningham, "Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary: The First Twenty Years", The Mediator 5:2 (2004):55.
  77. ↑ "General Board recognizes E. LeBron Fairbanks", NCN News (March 1, 2012).

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