Local Church BibleColleges

Apparently you haven't checked out many, Ingo. Central Theological Seminary, Maranatha Baptist Bible College and several others turn out many good faithful preachers of the Word. Central is run by the Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth/Minneapolis, MN. MBBC is not run by one church, but by a board. Committing to "faithful men" doesn't necessarily mean "local church". And with many of todays local churches not following scriptural guidelines in their preaching, but, rather adding extra-biblical doctrines, I don't believe that one in particular should be in control of a seminary or Bible college, but that it should be a board of faithful men who have the say in the running. This will help pre-empt many false doctrines coming in, and will help to stabilize should one of the members go apostate.

 

AVL has a good point in his next to the last post. When you attend a local church bible college you have one ministry experience and philosophy during those impressionable four years of eduction. However, when you attend a "para church" bible college you are not locked into one church ministry. Many students at schools like NBBC, MBBC, FBBC, PBBC attend different churches during their college years and get diverse experiences in many churches. For instance at MBBC you could attend a different church each semester if you wished and have 8 ministry experiences under your belt after college.

Sounds good to me.

 

I disagree, Circuitrider. The opportunity for local church involvement at the schools you list is, in my estimation, a strength. But the hopping and floating is not. Young people at these schools, not to mention the churches involved, seem to benefit better from investing in a stable relationship with a local church over the course of their enrollment.

 

Greg, I have seen many schools that have been operated under the ministry of one local church. These "schools" have helped to do nothing more than propogate extra-biblical doctrine, abuse of people in their congregations when the grads take a church as pastor/assistant, and the positions of ONE MAN over the Bible. I'm not saying this is from all, but from most that I have seen. I'm sure there are a few out there that are on track and give doctrine correctly, instruct their future grads to lead well, etc. I found it of great benefit to work in several different church settings during my time at MBBC. Circuit rider wasn't saying that it was mandatory for these kids to go to different churches every semester, but, they had that option if they wanted a better, rounded view of circumstances in other churches. Learning (being a student) is what it's all about, and I wouldn't consider it "jumping and hopping" to receive that training, though some might.

 

AVL,

He did say 8 different churches in four years was possible, and said it sounded good. Hence my objection.

When I went to Faith BBC, my wife and I moved there in July so we could find a church before we started school in the fall. After checking out 3-4 churches, we remained in the same church for 8 1/2 years. During that span, I was involved in several different facets of the ministry there- childrens ministry, youth ministry, preaching, nursing home, adult sunday school, administration... However, the church benefitted from the stability. I had the chance to gain their trust and respect. They counted on me to last more than just a semester. The problem with the flit and flutter approach of many Bible college students is that relationships never develop, and effectiveness is severely weakened as a result. The people you minister to are more like laboratory subjects than people with real needs.

Example: I served as Awana Commander at my church. I had several college students who wanted to serve as leaders. Great, right? Well, it usually was the first semester. But, when second semester rolled around, I lost quite a bit of my help. Not good.

 

Does Liberty require its students to attend Thomas Road Baptist Church?

 

Greg, your experiences may have been different. I can only speak of my own. Just because your experiences were different doesn't necessarily make those of us who had the opportunity to serve in many different churches bad. Many do stay for the full 8 semesters or longer in one church in particular, and this is fine if they believe it's what the Lord wants. But, I also know that many who stay in one church, especially if they go to a college controlled by that one church, often get pushed into one position of service, or possibly a second, and that is the extent of it, stiffling the student.

 

Sorry, AVL- I didn't mean to "argue" for the large, mega-church type school. What I did want to stress is that the students should learn the value of stability and commitment while they gain valuable ministry experience. Eight different churches in four years is not a positive, in my view. One or two, perhaps- better.

 

Wow... he doesn't look that old in his picture...

I think we're on the same side of the issue.

 

Er, Dr. Bob, isn't Circuit Rider also your Bro-in-law??? <<<<<snicker, snicker>>>>>>He's also family (now I know why you both are nuts!! )

 

Greg, I think stability is a very important thing. Would I have stayed at MBBC, I probably wouldn't have gone to any other churches after I found Bible Baptist in Beaver Dam. Bro. Johnson was a great pastor for me, and I probably, if he wanted, would have finished my years there. I, too, think that CR was probably being hyperbolic in saying 8 semesters. He was just saying it was possible. Most probably wouldn't go to that extent. So, no offense taken, no harm done, Brother.

 

LOL! I know how you feel, Dr. Bob, I DO know how you feel...

 

You are missing alot of colleges on that list.

 

None of these.

 

liberty no longer requires the staff or students or staff to attend trbc because of accredidation issues.

 

Two other local church educational institutes I've heard of are Temple Baptist College in Cincinnati, OH, and Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary, Lansdale, PA.

The former is an undergraduate college operated by Temple Baptist Church, Cincinnati, OH. The later is a graduate-level institute operated by Calvary Baptist Church, Lansdale, PA.

In most all of the discussions regarding Bible colleges operated by a single local church that I've read in this thread, it would appear that the opinions of a given school (be it pro or con) seem to be rather subjectively and narrowly based. That is, a school is deemed good or poor based on one or a very few of its graduates.

Or a school is good or poor because what it believes and/or practices isn't what the writer believes or practices.

Honestly, is that really a very fair way to evaluate a school?

On that basis, could not a case be made against the 12 Apostles being trained by the "Master Teacher" Himself?

Let's see... Judas, the treasurer, betrayed Him. Peter publicly denied Him. And all of them abandoned Him at some time during the crucifixion. Even at His ascension they still didn't seem to "get it" concerning their purpose in this world.

I'm not saying it's a sin to have an opinion pro or con a Bible college, but it might be good for that person to ask himself just how fair is it to make a blanket indictment of a school based on very limited and subjective criteria.

 

I'll add one more to the list.I live around Greenville SC and Tabernacle Baptist Church operates Tabernacle Baptist Bible College.I have heard some excellent Bible preachers that came out of that place....very old-fashioned and evangelistic.They are KJVO....but I prefer the "old Book" myself.

Greg

 

I graduated from Maryland Baptist Bible College in Elkton, MD. (www.mbcmin.org and click on the Bible College page) It is not in the Hyles category at all but it is a local church school. Given the poll choices, I would pick Crown as being a good place, but I am not familiar with all of the schools listed. I must say I do disagree with Hyles on some major things but I do not condemn all of his graduates by any means. I am sure he did some good also. Basically, I disagree with his views on evangelism; i.e., gimmick evangelism, exalting his church as baptizing more people than the day of Pentecost, etc. At the same time, I am sure that he and his church have led people to the Lord.