View of the Norris Phenomenon", the author points to the common problem of egocentricity among fundamentalist leaders as the cause of IBFI's decline. In less than seven years, Barber had badgered Jack Warren, editor of The Searchlight, and Young Houston, director of missions, into resigning. Most of the original pastors soon left IBFI for various reasons. A new group of ministers, who were mostly anti-organizational, came into the ranks. The Bible institute became a seminary, the mission agency was reduced to a clearing house and the by-laws were replaced by a document that disenfranchised the supporting churches. Financial problems began to plague the organization and enrollment in the seminary consistently lagged between 10 and 25 students. A deal was eventually made for Crown College in Knoxville, Tennessee, to take over the seminary. Critics blame the questionable funding of an expensive building on IBFI property, called the "Raymond Barber Conference Center", for the fellowship's ultimate failure. In its prime, Arlington Baptist College had a consistently expanding enrollment that was close to 1,000 students. Twenty-five years after the split, total enrollment for both schools was under 200 students annually. References Footnotes Notations External links Independent Baptist Fellowship International Web Site Christian organizations established in 1984 Independent Baptist denominations Baptist denominations established in the 20th century 1984 establishments in Texas