Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Would You Like French Fries With Your Ministry?
I've often seen the argument on here of a Bible college education vs. a secular education, so I thought I would just add my 2 cents worth before my month is up.
I made the choice to attend Bible college after graduating high school. It was not an easy choice, but I knew it was the right choice for me. I say it was not an easy choice because I had a full ride to any other college I wanted to attend and knew that I was giving up some of what I had worked so hard for by making this choice. I also knew that my daddy was not happy with my choice (oh, how he changed over the next few years...he ended up loving the school and was excited when my brother came here). I also heard the standard statements, such as "You won't make any money. You won't get anywhere in life. You will get married. Your wasting your time, money, and education..." Blah, blah, blah!
First off, it needs to be realized that Bible college is not for everyone (just as Harvard, Wash U, Princetion, etc. are not for everyone). It also needs to be realized that the students who attend Bible college are still humans. Just because they decide to attend Bible college does not mean they are perfect and super spiritual. Many come for various reasons. There are those with a calling that they desire to fulfill and feel that this is the best avenue. There are those whose pastors and/or parents are worried because their kid is backslidden and/or doing things they shouldn't do, and they think Bible college will save them (oh, by the way, people who backslide in Bible college, my assumption is they would have backslidden in a secular school as well--it's not a reflection of where they choose to go to school, but rather where their heart is). There are some who come because parents are alumni (oh, sounds like a lot of other college students out there). There are a few that come to get married, but they aren't as plentiful as one might think. There are others who come because they are not sure what they want to do and are seeking direction. There are others who come because they want a biblical foundation. There are some who come because they met someone from the college who really impacted their life or they think the music is amazing or they want a good education. There are a plethora of reasons!
It also needs to be realized that a Bible college education is not an "end-all, be-all" to life. The quality of our education and our instructors is bar none. As Bible colleges push for accreditation, more and more colleges are accepting transfers from Bible colleges and/or placing Bible college graduates directly into their Masters programs. Also, you want to know what our students say when they go to other colleges..."It's so much easier (at the new school)." That's because we're not just giving some patty cake education. We're teaching many of the same courses that are necessary at every college in the country and we expect the best out of our students. We expect them to put forth effort. We expect them to write, use their brains, communicate effectively, research, and all the other things that other colleges expect. We set high expectations and work with each student to see them succeed in every aspect. Our students are going on to further their education. Some students choose to be involved in full time ministry; others do not. Either way is okay as long as you are doing what God has called you to do and you give it your best.
Some say that you won't make any money by going to Bible college. To this, I can't necessarily disagree. If you decide to go into fulltime ministry, you may not make as much as some others. I decided to teach in a Christian school the next couple of years and as a result, make half of what I would make in a public school. But I also choose to weigh the balances...I have half the number of students, nowhere near the amount of paperwork, less behavior problems, can talk about God in my classroom, can teach the Bible, pray, watch kids get the Holy Ghost...I'd rather have half the pay. I have everything I need in life and then some. Most of what we think we can't live without, we can, and a lot of times, you can have the stuff you just want even on a small budget. It's about setting priorities. There are others though who have only their Bible college degree and have done well (management positions, businesses, etc.). I think we often measure success by dollars and material goods and so we do not consider those who work fulltime in the ministry as successes. I think we forget that these men and women have taken time out to prepare themselves for the job/ministry that God has given them and that they are just as successful as the lawyers, doctors, insurance salesperson, business exec, etc. who have prepared themselves for their job.
"Time spent sharpening the sickle is never wasted." I will never look back on my Bible school years as a waste. I spent time studying the word of God in depth. I met friends that will last a lifetime. I went through trials that shaped me. I sat through classes that I loved and others that were just the opposite. Through it all, I learned about trust. I learned that if you are not strong before you get here, you will struggle. You need to be rooted and grounded before you arrive because it doesn't get any easier. In the words of our college President, "You only think you're tired now. It gets worse." I learned that I detest mixed vegetables, but I now like burritos, barbecue, various chickens, and even biscuits and gravy not made by mom. I think that no matter what you do in life or where you go to school, you should give it 100%. For some, God has placed them in Bible college. For others, God has placed you in secular college (and by golly, some of you will even be full time ministers--don't get me started on what I think of people who think you shouldn't be in full time ministry unless you have a Bible school education--I don't like that anymore than I like hearing that I've wasted my time at Bible school). Wherever God has placed you in life, fulfill that calling. Ministry isn't about what school you went to or who your daddy is. It's about giving yourself completely to God, letting Him take control and lead your steps, and being willing to follow Him. "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called." Lean on Him and give it your best no matter what it is!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
I made the choice to attend Bible college after graduating high school. It was not an easy choice, but I knew it was the right choice for me. I say it was not an easy choice because I had a full ride to any other college I wanted to attend and knew that I was giving up some of what I had worked so hard for by making this choice. I also knew that my daddy was not happy with my choice (oh, how he changed over the next few years...he ended up loving the school and was excited when my brother came here). I also heard the standard statements, such as "You won't make any money. You won't get anywhere in life. You will get married. Your wasting your time, money, and education..." Blah, blah, blah!
First off, it needs to be realized that Bible college is not for everyone (just as Harvard, Wash U, Princetion, etc. are not for everyone). It also needs to be realized that the students who attend Bible college are still humans. Just because they decide to attend Bible college does not mean they are perfect and super spiritual. Many come for various reasons. There are those with a calling that they desire to fulfill and feel that this is the best avenue. There are those whose pastors and/or parents are worried because their kid is backslidden and/or doing things they shouldn't do, and they think Bible college will save them (oh, by the way, people who backslide in Bible college, my assumption is they would have backslidden in a secular school as well--it's not a reflection of where they choose to go to school, but rather where their heart is). There are some who come because parents are alumni (oh, sounds like a lot of other college students out there). There are a few that come to get married, but they aren't as plentiful as one might think. There are others who come because they are not sure what they want to do and are seeking direction. There are others who come because they want a biblical foundation. There are some who come because they met someone from the college who really impacted their life or they think the music is amazing or they want a good education. There are a plethora of reasons!
It also needs to be realized that a Bible college education is not an "end-all, be-all" to life. The quality of our education and our instructors is bar none. As Bible colleges push for accreditation, more and more colleges are accepting transfers from Bible colleges and/or placing Bible college graduates directly into their Masters programs. Also, you want to know what our students say when they go to other colleges..."It's so much easier (at the new school)." That's because we're not just giving some patty cake education. We're teaching many of the same courses that are necessary at every college in the country and we expect the best out of our students. We expect them to put forth effort. We expect them to write, use their brains, communicate effectively, research, and all the other things that other colleges expect. We set high expectations and work with each student to see them succeed in every aspect. Our students are going on to further their education. Some students choose to be involved in full time ministry; others do not. Either way is okay as long as you are doing what God has called you to do and you give it your best.
Some say that you won't make any money by going to Bible college. To this, I can't necessarily disagree. If you decide to go into fulltime ministry, you may not make as much as some others. I decided to teach in a Christian school the next couple of years and as a result, make half of what I would make in a public school. But I also choose to weigh the balances...I have half the number of students, nowhere near the amount of paperwork, less behavior problems, can talk about God in my classroom, can teach the Bible, pray, watch kids get the Holy Ghost...I'd rather have half the pay. I have everything I need in life and then some. Most of what we think we can't live without, we can, and a lot of times, you can have the stuff you just want even on a small budget. It's about setting priorities. There are others though who have only their Bible college degree and have done well (management positions, businesses, etc.). I think we often measure success by dollars and material goods and so we do not consider those who work fulltime in the ministry as successes. I think we forget that these men and women have taken time out to prepare themselves for the job/ministry that God has given them and that they are just as successful as the lawyers, doctors, insurance salesperson, business exec, etc. who have prepared themselves for their job.
"Time spent sharpening the sickle is never wasted." I will never look back on my Bible school years as a waste. I spent time studying the word of God in depth. I met friends that will last a lifetime. I went through trials that shaped me. I sat through classes that I loved and others that were just the opposite. Through it all, I learned about trust. I learned that if you are not strong before you get here, you will struggle. You need to be rooted and grounded before you arrive because it doesn't get any easier. In the words of our college President, "You only think you're tired now. It gets worse." I learned that I detest mixed vegetables, but I now like burritos, barbecue, various chickens, and even biscuits and gravy not made by mom. I think that no matter what you do in life or where you go to school, you should give it 100%. For some, God has placed them in Bible college. For others, God has placed you in secular college (and by golly, some of you will even be full time ministers--don't get me started on what I think of people who think you shouldn't be in full time ministry unless you have a Bible school education--I don't like that anymore than I like hearing that I've wasted my time at Bible school). Wherever God has placed you in life, fulfill that calling. Ministry isn't about what school you went to or who your daddy is. It's about giving yourself completely to God, letting Him take control and lead your steps, and being willing to follow Him. "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called." Lean on Him and give it your best no matter what it is!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
# posted by 99 Blogger @ 10:24 PM 
