Is Pensacola CC's Seminary "Baptist"?

Dr. Bob,

I was over at PCC a couple of years ago for their missions conference and I had some free time, so I went to check out the seminary. I had an interesting discussion with Dr. Johnson. He acknowledged that by being their at PCC that he did not have too many friends at Central!

TTU still has their seminary and I think they are either accredited or in the process of obtaining accreditation!

I know of a couple of people that have obtained their degrees from the TTU seminary but not too many.

All I know for now.....

 

Dr. Bob,

Here is the statement from the PCC catalog regarding their "church" for students:

"The center of spiritual vibrancy is Campus Church, which provides students with a warm local church atmosphere. Campus Church, which operates in the spirit of an independent Baptist church, acquaints students with the workings of a separated, Bible-believing church and encourages them in their worship and service for the Lord." (2001-2002 Pensacola Christian College Catalog, page 21)

How does this "church" operate in the spirit of a normal Baptist church, when its members are required to attend, and then they take offerings whereby the employees and students have to give their 10% to be faithful to Scripture?

TTU does have credible faculty, and the seminary does seem to be rebounding. They are nearing accreditation.

Chick

 

The "spirit of a Baptist church" is an interesting phrase.

What would happen if the congregation decided to vote out Horton as the pastor and call another one? Would the spirit of the Baptist change to the spirit of the Catholic or would Horton leave?

Just curious. And talk about a summer slump. I am glad 90% of my congregation doesn't leave during the summer.

Which is not to say that the seminary can't teach Baptist polity. It may well do that.

[ August 08, 2001: Message edited by: Pastor Larry ]

 

Pastor Larry,

I was just coming back to the board here to make another point about the Campus Church operating like a Baptist Church, and you had taken the words right out of my mouth. In fact, Baptist churches are supposed to have congregational rule, and as such select their own pastor. The PCC Campus Church does not have congregational rule, the pastor is selected by the Boss. Mr. Horton may have something to do with the decision as well.

 

Actually, I think Horton (Mr.) is the pastor and Shettler is just the preacher.

 

Yes, well you notice that I didn't identify who the boss is

 

Shouldn’t the college be under the authority of the church, not the church under the authority of the college? Wouldn’t that be more in “the spirit of a Baptist church”?

Gregg

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gregg:
[QB]Shouldn’t the college be under the authority of the church, not the church under the authority of the college? Wouldn’t that be more in “the spirit of a Baptist church”? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Well yeah ... but don't tell them. It will mess up the great organizational chart they already have drawn up. Can you imagine redrawing all those boxes and lines?????

 

This is not an affirmative statement, but rather a question. I heard through the grapevine that the PCC was founded under charismatic principles and only now do they take a non-denominational stand. Can anyone verify this?

 

Can't verify it but highly doubt it. PCC was founded by BJU graduates and a lot of their teachers until the last 10 years or so were from BJU. Sounds bogus to me.

 

Don't really know what I would call it. Just know that I wouldn't call it much

 

Our church takes the position that it is the resposiblity of the local church to train pastors and missionaries.

We have several graduates pastoring and on the mission field.

 

I think I am responding to a loaded question here. Either they are linked with BJU, Central, and Detroit, or they are just a money making scheme. As if no other alternative is possible. Your labeling Dr. Horton's endeavors as money making schemes leads me to believe that your mind is already made up on the issue.

I would also question why BJU is labelled as "Baptist" when it doesn't claim to be either. In their catalogue they still offer Methodist and Presbyterian polity as an alternative to Baptist polity for undergradutate Bible degrees.

In every way I think this is a totally loaded and hypocritical question. But in any case, I will answer.

Dr. Johnson, head of the seminary is QUITE Baptist. I just graduated from there with a Pastoral Ministry degree and the Baptist Polity there is quite heavy on the Baptist.

Dr. Nonnemacher, the second-biggest gun, from what I understand, openly denies being Baptist. Until recently, he was the head of the Bible department.

A few of the Bible faculty serve as pastors of Baptist churches in the area, and seminary (and undergrad) students are encouraged to intern in local Baptist churches.

Despite whatever issues you have with PCC's affluence or the Campus Church, the Seminary and College itself is every bit as Baptist as BJU.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ryan_DeBarr:
Despite whatever issues you have with PCC's affluence or the Campus Church, the Seminary and College itself is every bit as Baptist as BJU.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Which doesn't say much for either school.

 

That wasn't the point.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ryan_DeBarr:
I would also question why BJU is labelled as "Baptist" when it doesn't claim to be either. In their catalogue they still offer Methodist and Presbyterian polity as an alternative to Baptist polity for undergradutate Bible degrees. ... Despite whatever issues you have with PCC's affluence or the Campus Church, the Seminary and College itself is every bit as Baptist as BJU.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Interesting way to argue that something is baptist ... by arguing that it is as baptist as an institution whose "baptist"try you have just questioned with the implication of denial.

The majority of this thread (inactive for quite some time) is that the seminary may indeed teach baptist polity but that baptist polity is not practiced in the campus church.

 

Very few people involved with the Seminary actually attend the Campus Church.

I am not defending the Campus Church or Pensacola Christian College. I just tried to answer the question with facts, rather than biased opinions. You be the judge whether it is Baptist or not.

But if it is not Baptist, then neither is BJU. I don't care if you attack my Alma Mater, but you should apply the same yardstick to everyone.

 

Just got my "PCC Update" the other day and looked at it. Looks like Dr. Karl Stelzer is now the Dean of the Division of Bible. He's Baptist. The only one on the staff who wouldn't claim to be IFB would be Nonnemacher. He went to Grace Theological Seminary. Whatever they claim to be is what he is.