Former CIU President Returns to Teach

All Living CIU Presidents Now Active at the University

Dr.  Johnny Miller, who served as the fourth president of Columbia International University from 1991 to 1999, has returned to CIU as a professor in CIU Seminary & School of Ministry. 

That means that all four living presidents of CIU now have a role at the university.  CIU‘s third president, Robertson McQuilkin serves as president emeritus.  He is a speaker and writer, engaging in an extensive conference ministry across America and overseas, and is a frequent CIU chapel speaker.  The fifth president, Dr. George Murray serves as chancellor traveling the world preaching and teaching, recruiting students, and working with major donors and alumni.  The current president is Dr. Bill Jones who has served as president since 2007. 

Dr. Johnny Miller answered a few questions as the CIU community gets reacquainted with him.

What will you teach at CIU?

I'll be teaching Bible courses primarily in the seminary.  This (spring) semester it will be the Gospel of John and the Pastoral Epistles.

What have you been doing over the years since you left CIU as president?

I was senior pastor of Calvary Church in Lancaster, Penn. for 10 years (well, the last years I was actually the teaching pastor).  I officially retired Oct. 31, 2009.  Since then I've been "pastor-at-large," which has included a lot of speaking in the United States and ministry to missionaries overseas.  I also was "Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies" at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School.  A friend, John Soden, and I have written a book which will be published by Kregel, hopefully this spring.

What prompted you to return?

What prompted me to return to CIU was Bill Jones' gracious invitation which came even before I had quite retired.  I am motivated "to be as fruitful as possible, as long as possible."  I have come to realize that the best way to do that with my background and gifts is to invest in the lives of those who are headed into ministry, and who have the values and beliefs of CIU.

What are you most looking forward to in returning to CIU and Columbia?

I am looking forward to engaging with students--to get to know them, to learn from them, to contribute to their future walk with God and to their ministries.  I also look forward to being a part of the community of CIU.  Because of my Parkinson's disease, I don't know how long I will be able to do this, but I will trust God to give me the strength I need.