Checking In

[Scott Hutchinson]

None of my business ,but if somebody went to trade school or a secular college ,does this make them backslid?

[Newman]

Originally Posted by CC1

I have not fully caught up with this thread yet but I have to comment on Pastor Poster's theory that Bible Colleges are in it for the money.

I was asstounded to read this. Every single UPC Bible College has struggled to stay financially solvent. There is no money being made.

Because the UPC is such a small denomination and because for so long they discouraged education or striving to excel in the workplace, there are no endowment funds worth speaking of for these colleges to use as most other denominations colleges have.

Only in the last couple of decades have OP's penetrated the job marketplace in a way to build wealth so that any meaningful sums of money could be bequeathed to a Bible College.

My son went to his first year of college at a Church of Christ One. There were only about 2000-2500 students but the campus is wonderful. Much of the assets the University has and dollars for staff, programs, etc comes from endowments not the tuition money. This small University has tens of millions of dollars sitting in an endowment fund earning millions of dollars in interest. All from alumni and friends. UPC Bible Colleges do not enjoy this financial boost.

Good points.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Newman

I think it pretty much a given that there are going to be times in every person's life that they will need to trust God for; rather it be finances, direction, sickness, strained relationships, trials, pain, heart-ache, tribulations, etc.

I don't see getting bonus points for creating one's own hardship UNLESS it is absolutely the direction that God has appointed for one's life.

Your point here might apply better to Sheltiedad's post. I'd like to see you reply to that.

Originally Posted by Felicity

Your point here might apply better to Sheltiedad's post. I'd like to see you reply to that.

This is why I see it like chasing a carrot... if my dad feels he is in God's will, how long is he supposed to live like that?

Sorry, I know those are loaded questions... the answer is either:

A: "He must not be doing something right or God would bless him"
B: "If he just holds out a little longer, good things will happen"
C: "He will see his reward in Heaven".

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

This is why I see it like chasing a carrot... if my dad feels he is in God's will, how long is he supposed to live like that?

I don't know how to answer your question off the top of my head Brad. I have some thoughts but not quite sure how to articulate them. Let me think about it. In the meantime someone else might have some input.

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by Newman

I think it pretty much a given that there are going to be times in every person's life that they will need to trust God for; rather it be finances, direction, sickness, strained relationships, trials, pain, heart-ache, tribulations, etc.

I don't see getting bonus points for creating one's own hardship UNLESS it is absolutely the direction that God has appointed for one's life.

If we get bonus points for creating our own hardships, I must have a lot of points by now!

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

This is why I see it like chasing a carrot... if my dad feels he is in God's will, how long is he supposed to live like that?

Is he at peace with his life? How is what he is doing any different than countless other people in the secular world "chasing the carrot?" It really isn't about the church as much as it is about your dad's choices. If he enjoys what he is doing, then I think there is nothing wrong with what he has chosen.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

Is he at peace with his life? How is what he is doing any different than countless other people in the secular world "chasing the carrot?" It really isn't about the church as much as it is about your dad's choices. If he enjoys what he is doing, then I think there is nothing wrong with what he has chosen.

This is part of what I was thinking.

You're right, it's not my problem... yet (but a man's body can only do physical labor for so many years to put bread on the table). Unfortunately going any further into the conversation would be more than I am comfortable with... I was using them as an example, but there seem to be lots of pastors in this situation pastoring small Texas churches which are not home-missions but have barely stayed afloat for decades through multiple pastors... my dad feels it is his job to be the one who does not abandon these people or this town like all the rest have.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

If we get bonus points for creating our own hardships, I must have a lot of points by now!

I was reading something that Sister Ewing wrote. I can't remember what the name of the book was, but it was a collection of writings by a number of women.

I'm not against education, for the record, because of the fact some jobs require higher training and education. My brother had to pursue his Masters to become a Project Manager for a company he works with now. Of course, he moved out of Texas. Not sure that was God's will.

Anyway, what Sister Ewing said was, words to the effect, "We push our children's mindset to materialism, corporate world, jump in that convertible with the top down and take off your shirt. When they drive off and you clean out their closet you might be astonished to find, in the very back of the closet underneath everything, a baseball glove with five smooth stones - all they really wanted was God."

Just something to keep in mind as we push ourselves and our children into the American economic makeup.

I'm not disagreeing with anyone about education vs. lower education. Just wanted to share that. I never did forget it.