Best Practices for Effective Boards

E. LEBRON FAIRBANKS retired in 2007 from Mount Vernon Nazarene University after serving 18 years as university president. He is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University; has graduate degrees form Scarritt College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Nazarene Theological Seminary; and pursued post-doctoral studies at Harvard University and Yale University. Prior to his move to Mount Vernon in 1989, Fairbanks served as president of Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, Manila, The Philippines, and as academic dean of the European Nazarene College near Schaffausen, Switzerland. He has also served on the faculty of Southern Nazarene University. Fairbanks is an international speaker and author of the modular course of study text, Leading the People of God. Dwight M. Gunter II is a leader with a pastor's heart and currently serves as Senior Pastor at Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary with a special emphasis in pastoral leadership. He and his wife, Karan, live in Nashville, TN. Dr. James Couchenour is the founder and longtime president of Cogun Industries, a construction company specializing in the building of local church and ministry organization facilities. He has formally served as chairman of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Board, and for years preceding his election as board chairman, served as the chairman of the MVNU Board Buildings and Grounds Committee. He was the founding director of 'The Way Station, ' a compassionate ministry center. He is a frequent speaker at organizations on the subject of board development.