Christian College suggestions

I used to agree with Christian colleges and seminaries refusing accreditation for reasons stated above. After researching the topic, and after earning degrees in both accredited and unaccredited schools, I have changed my view. Besides, I rarely find an unaccredited school which eschews accreditation that could get accreditation if it want to.

Accreditation does not bring the state into the school. It simply affirms, among other things, that the school is doing what it claims to do (and is not some degree mill), has academically qualified instructors, has an adequate library for research purposes, and is operated on a sound financial basis so that it will survive and not leave students stranded. If a school does not desire regional accreditation, it could at least seek accreditation by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools , such as Bob Jones University is doing.

Blessings,
Bill

 

If you don't think regional accreditation allows folks outside of the school to set standards that the school is against, read this...

http://www.mugu.com/cgi-bin/Upstream/munro-accreditation

Westminster Theological Seminary was threatened to lose their accreditation if they did not have a woman on their Board. Since they only allowed elders on their board, and their religious beliefs preclude women from being elders, this was a problem. Westminster ended up comprimising because they coveted regional accreditation more than the standards they originally set.

 

Thanks for the article link. That's an interesting, albeit dated, article, though. Accrediting agencies can make demands that violate a Christian institution's conscience, and in that case, accreditation must be rejected.

For instance, SBTS had a school of social work. The current president, however, believed that the school's accreditation could not be continued because the seminary did not hold to the non-judgmental attitude toward homosexuality that the particular social work accrediting agency required. The school of social work, which I never thought a seminary should have anyway, was closed.

I would like to see how rulings have gone in the intermittent 15 years since the aforementioned article was written. From what I've seen, RA agencies have had to be less intrusive.

Still, a college or seminary can go for TRACS accreditation which has never, to my knowledge, been shown to be intrusive. It has been my experience that schools that talk about rejecting all certified accreditation could not obtain it with their present level of academics, faculty, library, etc.

For instance, I have an M.Ed. from Hyles-Anderson College. HAC rejects the notion of accreditation, but they could not obtain it if they wanted to without making big changes, not in their beliefs but in their faculty's training and academic rigor.

Blessings,
Bill

 

Mexdeaf:

Back to the subject of your son, if he has an unaccredited school he really likes there is another option to consider. Learning a real trade will give him as much if not more job security than most liberal arts degrees. Something like welding or carpentry can be in as much demand on the mission field as it is at home. Electrical, plumbing, masonry, or machining skills are always in demand. Even something simple as a CDL can be a big plus.

I assume your son speaks Spanish because of your missions time. A certified welder or electrician with an associates degree from a junior college who is bilingual can have a lot more job security than most liberal arts graduates. The opportunity for bivocational “side” work is huge for anyone with real job skills. These skills can become a real ministry tool as well.

 

If money is your goal, I guess it doesn't matter. If the Great Commission is your goal, then a school that is geared towards following God's plan might be your answer, and accreditation by MAN's institutions are probably not that important.

 

Or...if providing for your family is your goal, then maybe an accredited institution will allow you to do so, by providing you with more opportunities...we could go 'round and 'round with that one. Or best yet, we all pray for this family as they decide where God wants this person to go. It ain't our call.

dcorbett, do you know this person's child? How do you know what is best for them to do? Your post intimates that anyone attending a secular school is money hungry and doesn't desire God's best for his/her life. That's not what you mean, is it?

 

No, I am not name-calling. (I refuse to fall into that trap that so many fall into here) I am merely pointing out that some schools are for creating doctors or (heaven forbid) lawyers...while others are for training missionaries, pastors, and full time workers for God. If you are in school for the worldly job, go accredited. If you are in it for the Lord's work, accreditaton does not matter, the right Bible school is the right one, regardless.

 

I would recommend Louisiana Baptist University. A fundementally sound school with lots of work to be expected from the students.

 

BJU is pretty good as far as liberal arts education goes and their education program is approved by the state so if one is going into education they should be able to get certified with no problems (at least in SC).

 

Pensacola Christian College ( www.pcci.edu ) is a good option. Also BJU. The SBC ( www.sbc.net )also runs some good colleges.

 

I know this is an old thread and no one has commented in a number of years. But is anyone currently asking the same questions? Are people asking "What does God have for me or where is he leading me for college. Or what options are there in terms of Christian colleges?"

 

I found this out the hard way, brother! I went to MBBC for a year after going to a "church college", and it really was a detriment. I never did get the opportunity to finish because of it, and I regret that more than anyone will ever know.

 

I know it's not in the IFB mold, but I would put a plug in for my alma mater--Williams Baptist College . It's an SBC school, but it's small and close-knit. If you prefer a larger experience, my two-time graduate alma mater, Liberty University is also a good option.