20 Years from now: Do You Believe Seminaries and Bible Colleges (in USA) will continue to train our leaders?
When I say “our” leaders, I mean conservative evangelical and fundament leaders. By churches, I mean conservative evangelical/fundamental ones.
The question does not involve how popular our schools will be. Many may close, for example, but that is not the issue at hand. We are talking about enjoying the freedom to hold to our convictions.
The world seems to be tightening a vice around conservative evangelicals and fundamentalists. Russia’s new law, Canada’s lawsuit against a Christian college for not embracing LGBT, lawsuits about “free speech” and threats of losing tax exemption and accreditation are looming.
So how will future pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and other Christian workers be trained 20 years from now (hopefully the Lord will come before then, but what if not)?
When it comes to terms like “it depends” or “a combination,” I would like you to avoid thinking that way. Of course COMBINATION answers are very likely, so I tried to preclude this temptation by tediously adding the term “mostly.”
So if you think 51% or more will go a certain direction, than please choose that option. So please choose the nearest choice, even if it is not a perfect fit.
Poll Results
20 Years from now: Do You Believe Seminaries and Bible Colleges (in USA) will continue to train our leaders?
Things will work out (by and large); they will continue pretty much as they are. Votes: 1
Some colleges and seminaries will continue on uncompromised, but not unaccredited and/or tax exempt. Votes: 6
No schools will remain that refuse to compromise, but conservatives will mostly attend “least worst” seminaries or colleges. Votes: 2
Mostly this: Local churches will have to work together to train people; churches in church buildings will survive. Votes: 3
Mostly this: Local churches will have to work together to train people; but will be underground or house churches. Votes: 1
Mostly this: Leaders will travel to other countries to be trained. Votes: 0
Other Votes: 2
- 1 view
My take is that tax exemption will be fissure point:
- Either follow LGBTQ agenda and keep tax exemption OR
- Eschew LGBTQ agenda, forego tax exemption and remain true to Word of God
Further:
- It will be more difficult for Bible colleges than the Seminaries (b/c seminaries train for vocational ministry and the Bible colleges train more broadly)
I hope I am wrong (of course)
I think Jim has nailed it. We’ll be able to freely practice our faith but we will no longer be eligible for tax exemption. Some parents who have their children in Christian pre-schools receive tax credits for child care. This and similar government subsidies will probably disappear as well. All because our practice is contrary to public policy. The precedent had already been established.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
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