OK, let me attempt to explain why I think the way that I do. I believe in the local church, but not to the exclusion of the universal church. The Greek word translated "church" is ekklesia, which basically means "a called-out assembly". The way I see it, this refers to anyone who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. (I Corinthians 12:12-13 - "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.") Therefore, since the church is made up of believers everywhere and all throughout time, there must be a universality to the church.

However, it's obvious that it's impossible for all believers to meet together all at once. So, we meet together in local churches/assemblies. This is how the early church was organized. The first local assembly was formed in Jerusalem. (Acts 2:41-47 - "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.") They gathered together to be taught God's Word, to fellowship with other believers, etc. And when persecution drove many of them from Jerusalem, they started other local assemblies wherever they ended up. Finally, if you study Paul's missionary journeys, you'll find out that he established a local assembly in every city in which he stopped to minister and spread the Gospel.

The ministry/purpose of the church is to share the Gospel with the world and to disciple/teach believers. (Matthew 28:18-20 - "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.") If the church has been charged with this responsibility, then a school whose mission is to train/teach believers in the area of serving the Lord and spreading the Gospel should be associated with a local assembly/church.

In essence, this is why I am of the opinion that I stated earlier.

BTW, to answer your latest question, I grew up in Cleveland County, NC.

so would you be ok with a church cponsored school rather than a church centered school? how about a number of churches sonsoring a school or any other type of para church orginization like say BIMI? after all they are a para church orginazation.

all those that cry foul on the college's not being church centered would be hypocritical to not cry foul to the org's like BIMI.

food for thought thanks for the reply

You'll have to further elaborate on the definition of "church-centered" vs. "church-sponsored".

As far as a group of churches sponsoring a school or whatever, I see no problem with this as long as the churches are of like faith and practice. In fact, there are definite advantages to something like this.

Yes, I would apply my opinion to mission boards/agencies. I think it's best for them to come under the authority of a church or group of like-minded churches. I know of a number of mission boards where this is the case, and it works out well for all concerned.

Please notice that, as I have stated several times, this is the opinion that I hold based on my studies. To conclusively say that either side is completely right or wrong is something I cannot in good conscience do since there's no explicit Scripture concerning this.

It may not be true of the Christian day school, but I am incontrovertibly convinced that the job of the Church-based College is to suck out the best young people from as many Churches as possible, and once they have them, to set about immediately to steal their hearts, despite everything they claim to the contrary. In my experience, Fairhaven is the only exception.

Tarheel I appreciate the well thought out reply and honesty. The truth is there is no Scripture to base these questions directly on. I have to say I went to a Christian School (not college) that was made up of 5 different Baptist churches, and they ran by the lowest common denominator. I was appaled to find porno passed in the locker room, swearing that took place time to time, and the fact that a self-acclaimed Satanist went to school there as well. Needless to say I wasn't enrolled very long...

This is not to say that this is the way it will always be when there is this type of collaboration. Never the less the chances of things like this taking place are a great possibility.

That then leads to the fact that not every church - like the one I currently pastor, as well as the majority of churches which range from small to medium - could ever hope to become some type of missions agency, let alone help their own missionaries in the way an org like BIMI can...Nor could I truly give a balanced education that I believe you could find at a place like ABC or such to a man or men who have the call of God on their lives.

Here is the jist of the story.......

The term "Tarheel" actually applies to all citizens of this state, perhaps the finest single patch of territory on the face of God's green earth.

This storied nickname originated during the War of Northern Aggression, and according to a 1912 newspaper, the term was first heard in Virginia between 1862 and 1863. According to the article:

"The designation was applied in jest to North Carolina about the camp-fires, following the custom of naming the soldiers from several states after the most distinctive product of that state. At the time, tar was perhaps North Carolina's best known product, and by a very easy change, the troops from this state were called 'Tar Heels'. In a like manner, troops from the lower portion of South Carolina were called 'Rice Birds.' It was a very common remark about the camp-fires for one soldier to shout to another as a third approached: 'Look and see if he's got any tar on his heels!'. The North Carolina soldiers accepted the name in good graces, declaring that like tar they held fast to whatever ground they stood, 'stuck' to what they began, and left their marks wherever they went…"
Lenoir News, 4/12/1912 (NC)

here is the website where I clipped this article from.....

http://www.tarheelpress.com/Tarheel.html

__________________
"Jesus would roll over in his grave, if he only knew."
---Dr. Braveheart, TmGd

Braveheart wins the prize!!! Excellent research and thanks for the info...all the Tarheels I know are folks that stick to it

God bless

minister

__________________


"Never take counsel of your fears."
TJ Jackson

ABC has a faculty made up primarily of men that are Pastors and Asst Pastors at IFB churches in the area. Every student is REQUIRED to join an IFB church within 6 weeks of the beginning of the school year and must attend all three services every week (and all revival, mission conf, etc throughout the year) and spend 2 hours a week in organized visitation with their local church. The Board is also primarily made up of IFB pastors. I hope this info helps to answer your original question. I so appreciate the tone of this thread! So many threads are just people coming up with new ways to criticize everything.

BTW I have loved the Tar Heel trivia! Although I am a WVU Mountaineers fan, I always cheer for UNC.

Does being based out of a Local Church make you local church, can you be local church without being based out of a local church?

That, Watson, is the question. Are ABC, BJU and PCC anti-local church? Anybody who knows them knows they are for local churches. After all, that's where the vast majority of their students come from and that's where the vast majority of their alumni return upon graduation.

To try to say a young person should not attend a college like this solely b/c it's not "under the umbrella of a local church" is not Scriptural and is probably just politics, IMHO.

__________________
Burnin' Daylight

Take the first, take the last, take the good and take the rest ... Here I am, all I have, take it all.

---Third Day