Last week, I wrote a post entitled “Bible College or Church?” that sparked some great discussion about how the church trains and equips her leaders. This week, I’m expanding on some of the ideas generated in the discussion.
Bible College: Pros and Cons
I’m a Bible college graduate. My four years at Bible college were some of the best of my life. I’m grateful for the experiences and the education that I received. But in the ten years since I graduated, my experiences have me questioning if Bible college is the best option for equipping leaders of the church. Here are the pros and cons of the Bible college model (as I see them–feel free to add more in the comment section):
The pros:
- Finding a spouse. I started dating the woman who would become my wife at the end of my freshman year. We married before my senior year. We just celebrated our tenth anniversary. Many of our friends found their spouses at Bible college. This is what I’ve been most grateful for when it comes to my Bible college experience.
- The Bible education. I received a great Bible education–theology and original language tools especially. I came in with a good knowledge of Bible facts. I left with a good working knowledge of the Bible with tools for preaching and teaching with an emphasis on applying the truth of Scripture. The professors all cared for our education and our spiritual development–they cared for us as students and as Christ followers.
- The friendships. I made friends in college that I’ll keep for life (many more so than from high school). Many are still in professional ministry, and with the advances in social networking software and sites on the Internet, networking with these friends is now easier than ever.
The cons:
- The “Christian Bubble.” Bible college provides a safe haven for Christian students–you’re surrounded by Christians all the time. People are always learning about God. Guys are always writing sermons. People are always doing devotions. Is it utopia? No. People were caught all the time and disciplined for various infractions (mostly sexual fornication). But for the most part, the Bible College environment provides a kind of bubble–another part of the Christian counter-culture.
- The financial debt. Most people came out of Bible college with significant school debt that would take a decade to pay off… if they didn’t go on to grad school. I just made my last payment last week. Many guys will graduate from Bible college, be in professional ministry for seven years and get out… and still have three years to go on their school payments. They’ll have a degree that won’t translate into many other careers.
- The practical ministry. In my day, our college had something called “field education.” It has changed since my day, but we were required to serve in some fashion in a local church–teach a Sunday School class, lead music, preach, watch the kids in the nursery, etc. Those were good experiences, but they didn’t come close to helping us learn the ins and outs of ministry from Monday-Saturday. We didn’t get to see church staff in action preparing lessons, writing sermons, dealing with difficult people, counseling, praying, wrestling with the Bible texts, or suffering through a rough patch. As my practical ministry prof told us, “You learn about 5 percent of what you need to know for ministry here at college.” The other 95 percent would be learned on the field after we graduated.
- Financial dependency. A vast majority of financial support for Bible colleges comes from supporting churches and individuals (my guess is that many of the individuals are alumni). I may be wrong on this (and someone please correct me if I am), but I don’t know of too many new churches that support Bible colleges. Most are established, aging churches where the average age of the congregation is inching upward. It is no surprise to me that my alma mater pushes estate planning seminars (guess who wants a piece of your estate). There’s nothing wrong with this, but Bible colleges are totally bound to the donations of these aging churches and Christians. What will happen when the income stream literally starts to die off?
To me, the cons outweigh the pros (except finding our spouse). I suspect that some of the reasons that so many guys flame out from leading churches and professional ministry has to do these cons–we need to find a good job to pay down our debt, the Christian bubble skews our expectations, and the poor practical ministry doesn’t prepare us for the rigors of ministry.
So is there a better way to prepare guys for leadership in the church? I think there is. I’ll start sharing more about this tomorrow.
In the meantime, those of you who went to Bible college–what are some of the pros and cons of your experience that I didn’t mention?
Con…
Not to look at this from a purely financial stand point, but stewardship of resources should be a consideration. The bang for the buck is pretty weak IMHO. An enormous amount of kingdom resources go into perpetuating the increasingly expensive Bible college model. Is there a btter way?
Pro…
The Bibe college/seminary is where we find the future book writers, theologians, etc. The Cottrells, Lowerys, etc.
It also provides a sort of “doctrinal consistency” in our churches (though less now than ever perhaps).
Hey Willis,
Financial stewardship from both sides must be considered–for the student and the Bible college model (both are obviously linked). As I said in today’s post, my guess (and, again, someone please correct me if I’m wrong), but a vast majority of support for Bible colleges comes from older, established congregations. In time, the income stream will start to dry up (I’m willing to bet it already is for some schools).
There is definitely a place for the intellectuals–that’s their gift. But as Koffijah points out in one of his recent posts (www.koffihouse.blogspot.com), many in the ivory towers stay there. I’m wondering if there’s a better way to help the intellectuals. And, as Scripture abundantly points out, it’s often those who aren’t wise who make the most kingdom impact. Still, there’s a place for them–they are needed.
The doctrinal consistency issue is interesting. Some say we need to colleges to continue training doctrinally consistent leaders. I’m not 100 percent convinced of this. The church has always struggled with doctrinal error–some of it minor, some of it major. God has always raised up guys to combat it, and they’re not all seminary trained.
Good stuff, Willis.
the cotrrell’s? really?
Cottrell’s a smart guy (don’t you work at his school)? He’s written a few good things (that College Press seems to never keep in print). His systematic theology isn’t bad.
Greetings from G-Vegas. Aaron, you may not know me and I think that we have only met once but I would like to comment on your blog entries over the last couple of weeks.
First let me say this. HOLY CRAP we have some very good responses and deep discussion here and I am not sure that I can add any great insight but I am going to do my best.
Secondly, I spent about 30 min reading everyone’s comments and it got me thinking to. We all know what the “B” in RBC and JBC. It stands for “Bridal”, which is why I went. I couldn’t help myself there.
Thirdly, I spent my early twenties going to MAC-U (RBC’s new name). Those had to be the toughest and the best three years of my life. I didn’t come from a Christian background and was just hungry to learn and man did I ever. After spending five years in the ministry myself and having to deal with the “politics” was the thing that I hated the most. Did I learn that at all in school? Not at all. That is where an internship would’ve been helpful. I jumped right into a ministry while still in school and was very unsuccussful. I have always felt that it is important to have some experience going into ministry. Each church has their issues and there is nothing that is going to prepare you for that crap (five dollar word). This is where I feel that the local bible college is failing.
Just recently I had a friend that tried to get a job at a local church and they wouldn’t hire him because he didn’t have a degree, but I can tell you this he has been through some stuff and he would’ve been able to share his story and touch a lot of people and would’ve been great. Then a church just up the road hires a youth minister w/o a bible college degree, but with a bachelor’s degree. I am not trying to call anybody out, but where do you draw the line in the sand. I guess that every situation is different.
Con’s:
1. The financial strain for the next 20 years
2. The feeling that we are still in high school. Taking roll and “please bring your bible to class or going to recieve a 0 for the day.” That wasn’t cool at all.
Pro’s:
1. Wife
2. Great Relationships
3. Firm ground to stand on the Word.
We have these schools to train and prepare us for the ministry (the practical things like budgets, ideas, a direction, preaching and teaching, bringing others to Christ) but where does it prepare us to deal with the crap in life.
I constantly recieve update letters in the mail from MAC-U and I always dumb founded when I open the letter to always find an envelope. Here is the thing, I am still paying on my school loans and I don’t feel that I need to help support their debt issues. I have debts of my own.
There is a lot that I agree with in these comments and then there isn’t, but I guess that’s why we are brothers and we can agree to disagree. I feel that we can find qualified people in the local church and train them to be godly men, but it’s going to take those that are already out there to train them in a godly way. That just seems to be a practical thing.
I had a direction that I was going and then I got off track. It just sounds like rambling. I will probably comment again later.
Hey David,
I’m a rambler too, so no worries–come on back and bring it! You’re right, it was Roanoke Bridal College. Now everyone has to have a computer with an Apple logo…
I get the update letters, too. I know that the administration wonders why more from my class and beyond aren’t more involved, but all they ask for is money. Like you said, a vast majority of us walk out with student debt. I know that student loans are a part of life for everyone, but ministry cannot be driven by finding a job that pays enough to pay off debt.
This week’s post will be dedicated to some ideas about how we can do this better. The issue isn’t whether or not Bible college is right or wrong. It’s how can we train guys–how can we equip all Christians–better, and without some of the baggage that Bible college loads grads down with.
Where in G-Vegas are you? I’ll be there for good by May 1.
I leave near the Wally World, you know the one and only place to go to when you are at RBC.
I hope that I was able to come across with a point because in my head I did have a point.
Will come back later with a more drawn out plan.
Cottrell? Yes. And let me add another CCU guy: Johnny Pressley
Also, Bible College didn’t provide a bride for me like many guys. And I’m very thankful for that. Nothing against Bible College gals but it didn’t work out for me and i couldn’t be happier.
Johnny Pressley. Mad smart. Like apostle Paul smart (without the miraculous inspiration).
I remembered from my days as a recruiter a bible college that gives each student a full tuition scholarship (Central Christian College of the Bible). Always was intrigued by that model, and thought it’s an interesting example for the stewardship issue.
However, perhaps Bible colleges and churches alike need to change the expectations of education for church leadership. Seems like the most damaging con is the lack of real-world experience (I would lump the “bubble” and practical ministries cons into this). Might be more beneficial to expect a couple years of the college experience to be spent doing what is being studied with a partnering church, rather than a few weekend hours with random congregations. If churches are going to allow bible college to be a viable discipleship outlet, the relationship needs to change from financial backers to a more purposeful one.
What up, Robert?
I got a full ride at (the college formerly known as) RBC… but a full ride really wasn’t a full ride. Room and board, books, and the meal plan gave me 5 digits of debt to repay. The college you mentioned, however, may have been different.
Your suggestion is good, creative thinking for established churches that partner with colleges, which those established congregations might find more appealing than a complete change in approach (which I still advocate… but I’m in new church work).
Good stuff, Robert.
I really don’t know how they go about it, just thought it was an interesting approach.
Yeah, I just don’t like how most churches approach their relationship with the colleges they expect to train their people (which could easily rabbit trail into a discussion on how “missions” is handled, it becomes unsettling when all the dots are connected). Very hands off. I’m looking forward to your thoughts in your upcoming posts.
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Not sure if this has already been discussed in the conversation above or not (I haven’t had time to read through all of the wonderful conversation yet) but I have to throw out there what I feel to be THE #1 CON of Bible College…coming from a guy who never went to Bible College, and STILL almost fell into the trap of this CON. (By the way I totally learned this principle from Neil Cole, who has MUCH to say about the topic)
1. Bible College creates an elite class of religious professionals who, by accident, take the works of the scriptures out of the hands of the everyday/common believer and into their own. The guy with the degree is somehow more qualified to “shepherd” people because he has a piece of paper and can translate Hebrew. With good intentions the religious professional seeks to “equip the saints” only to find that the saints have been made dependent upon this man to do everything for them…Wow, I could go on and on about this….but i’ll stop here…
@aholydiscontent
Dude! Welcome to the conversation. You will bring a different perspective to what’s going on.
We’ve touched on this a little (I mentioned the clergy/laity distinction in a comment somewhere), but the issue you’ve brought up has been expressed another way–that the colleges are needed in order to provide some kind of doctrinal standard (which it passes on to the grads, who then pass it on to the churches). I’m not buying that. There is a place for those more intellectually inclined, but I’m not convinced that the “ivory tower” is it (however, I’m also not for tearing them down before starting something else… more about that on Friday). Just because someone has a degree doesn’t mean they’re immune to false doctrine, and just because someone doesn’t have a degree doesn’t mean they’re sitting ducks.
And by all means… go on and on if you need to. It’ll only contribute to the discussion.
Aaron, what the heck did they feed you down there? You had more college debt than me and I had a crappy scholarship to a private school!!
Anyway, I agree with all of this. My wonderful husband is about to take over Aaron’s place in our church while Aaron expands it to NC. He went to college for a long time but was into “other pursuits” (we’ll say) and doesn’t have any kind of degree. Well, except for REAL LIFE!! That’s what helps him relate so well to the people who need Jesus most.
From my own experience, I went to a Christian-based liberal arts school. Even that was a kind of a bubble, but I pretty much just did my own thing.
Speaking of my husband, he is a jerk and submitted my comment right in the middle. OK – anyway, my degree is in social work but my school provided plenty of opportunities to learn about the Bible for those who were interested, including classes, speakers, panels, dialogues, etc. Unfortunately, I didn’t take full advantage of these things, but they were available. Ok that’s about all I have to say for now.
There’s a presumption in your writing that’s a big con: that all ministers emerging from Bible colleges are men.
Hey Ann,
I’m guessing from your comment (I could be wrong–please correct me if I am) that by “ministers” you would mean those functioning in the role of preacher/evangelist or pastor/elder. If that’s the case, then I do hold the view that the Bible teaches a complimentarian position–that the genders are equal but have distinct roles, and that men are to function as preacher/evangelists or pastor/elders.
I do hold to the belief that all Christians are “ministers” in the biblical sense of the world–servants, although there are some “special” servants (deacons… and the jury’s out on whether these are men or both men and women–I hold to the first, but I don’t make a big deal about it).
In lieu of traditional bible college, i attended Masters Commission. A program that includes accredited Bible college courses, but is focused on discipleship, growth in Christ, practical hands on training, and everything that comes with ministry. Through the program, i gained a greater desire to be closer to Christ everyday. In my opinion, this is the greatest training ground for any Christian, regardless of what you end up doing. Students learn how to be leaders, how to stand on their convictions, and how to do everything with excellence “as doing it for the Lord, not for men.” Check it out at http://www.gzmconline.com