Bible College Syndrome

"Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense." - Proverbs 18:1

So, this verse in and of itself seems like common sense, I think even to unfriendly people, but this week, I've been around a few people who would agree with this verse verbally, but disagree with their lives.

I think Bible College can do funny things to people. I love BC, don't get me wrong. I went to two different BC's because I love them so much! These awesome Christian institutions are great for training up people to be strong in their faith and the scriptures within the workplace, and for training up strong Christian leaders in the Church. BC is an amazing experience and while learning tons on the Bible, you also get the opportunity to learn tons in the area of "Life Experience".

BC can be kind of a "double whammy" if you will. Living on campus, you are given the opportunity to learn how to live in peace and unity with other believers, BUT I think it can also give you this false view of yourself... a "lofty" view sometimes. BC students are most often held to a higher standard.

As a BC student, you probably will have...

1. Curfew that during freshman year seems unbelievably early, but as you mature in age and in faith, 12am seems too late to be out carousing around the town. It is true that "Perception is reality" and as a BC student, you don't want to be perceived as walking the streets or rolling doobies and selling them to the local high school students behind the dumpster at McDonald's.

2. You will be required to attend Chapel every Thursday afternoon in the multipurpose room and ALSO be required to wear a suit and tie or a Sunday dress because God "would be ashamed" to see his precious people in anything less. Oh yeah, you can't wear flip flops.

3. No Rated R movies allowed in the dormitories. "What about 'The Passion of the Christ' though?" Yeah, not even that one. We appreciate Mel Gibson's attempt at showing us what Jesus went through, but really, did their have to be so much blood? I don't think so...

4. Guys and gals have visiting hours and there must be at least 2 members of each sex represented. Visiting hours are from 1pm-1:15pm on Wednesdays... enjoy your time!

Anyhow, these maybe a LITTLE more strict than the BC you attended (actually only 1 is embellished from my experience at BC), but this gives you an idea of how one can start to think that you are the most holy 20 year old on the face of the planet. Add up all the classes you've been taking on God's Word and BAM! You are a super Christian. Anyone who doesn't agree must be sent from the pits of hell with the purpose of discouragement!

Thank God I don't live in dorms anymore! People start to think they know everything they can know about God's Word and how to live a "godly life", but then turn around and pick up other horrible habits like making fun of the "ugly" girls on campus or talking about how horrible the guy is who got caught with porn on his computer and was kicked out of school or how your roommate is so obnoxious and always getting her feelings hurt over nothing. Our "spiritual gift" becomes criticism. We criticize how other people aren't being good enough christians or the way people look or whatever. We find a way to talk crap about other people on campus to help feed this lie that we have it all together. And we become unfriendly people who only care about ourselves and our little clan of followers who all believe the same things... they are Super Christians and everyone else sucks at being a Jesus Follower.

I say, lets stop patting ourselves on the back for knowing all about Ezekiel and start doing what Jesus came here to do... LOVE!

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you LOVE one another." John 13:35

Quit gossiping. Quit feeding your ego and start living LOVE on your campus.

Jesus didn't come to show he had the most knowledge of the scriptures (though he did). Jesus didn't come to show he could be the best God Follower there ever was (although he was). Jesus came to BE LOVE to a lost, hurting, dying, needy world. When he said in John 13 that he was leaving and where he was going we couldn't follow, he told us that (his disciples) that for a reason. WE ARE TO BE JESUS TO PEOPLE! WE ARE TO BE LOVE TO PEOPLE! Unconditional love.

And not just love to their face...

Love behind their back.

I was that "Super Christian" BC student until I got out into the real world. Until I was working full-time at a Church interacting with people who don't know Jesus. Who need LOVE, not judgement. Not slanted remarks when they aren't around... they need LOVE.

So grow up now. Decide you are going to let God transform you from the inside out. Quit letting your studies substitute your time with God... start living love.

Live Love to your Creator first. Spend time with him, not because it was an assignment, but out of your heart to know him better.

Live Love to your roommates. Start doing what Jesus told us to do, think of others as better than ourselves! Treat your roommate like you would treat the Son of God! Not with disrespect and hurtful words, but with respect and love and understanding. Be Jesus, not just to those who don't know him yet, but to those who do. They need Jesus too. And they NEED your LOVE.

Awesome Roadkill

As the SMTL (Student Ministry Team Leader - for all you folk who are uneducated in church staff abbreviations), when I start hearing talk of moving into a new building and the possibility of the youth getting their own building, I immediately get thinking about themes for our new youth building. I start planning out contests for designs and names submitted by students and think about what ideas of my own I'll throw into the mix...

I would ask for submissions from fellow youth pastors, but I already know the ideas I would be given...

Design Ideas

1. Coffee House Theme

Every kid in high school loves burned, weak coffee and crappy, depressing acoustic tunes right?? We could have booths (torn up and stained from the local coffee shop that just closed down due to rat infestation, but hey! They were free!), round top tables (just don't tell the elders that a local bar donated them or we'd need to pray over them because they must be "covered in sin"), and a small stage for open mic nights and poetry readings. Aren't all the high schoolers beatniks nowadays?

2. Garage Theme

Find an old gas pump, some license plates, and a garage door for the entrance and you've got a unique youth room! Problem is, every youth group in America has had a "Garage Themed" youth room since 1994. Of course, trends haven't changed that much since then, right?

3. Student Inspiration Theme

Let's give the kids 20 gallons of paint in all different colors and let them use their hands to start painting the walls! They can throw paint, finger paint, etc. Let creativity flow and give students the creative reign!

For some reason, tons of youth pastors think that this idea, once its all said and done, will create some sort of awe inspiring room filled with creativity and student ownership! However, it usually just looks like you let a bunch of 13 year olds loose with 20 gallons of paint and the only ownership in the room is the puke on the wall from Johnny after being locked in a paint fume filled room for hours...(but who could tell the difference between paint and the puke, right?)

Anyhow, I think our youth group may try to go for something a little different concerning the decor of the building. Thanks for the input (that you didn't even have to give) anyhow :)

Ideas for a name for the Building and/or Youth Group...

Here's a few...

1. eXtreme Youth

"We're eXtreme for Jesus!" - but we don't have to be xLame for Jesus...

2. Ignight

"We lost the spelling bee!" - I get that you meet in the evenings and you want to be ignited for God, but really, it just looks like your youth pastor's Bible College didn't require an english class in order to graduate.

3. Awesome Roadkill

"Every year the junior high students pick their own name... there you go."

And the "Enthusiastic Youth Pastor of the Year" award goes to... (I would like to point out that the above name and quote is an actual name and description of a junior high ministry!)

Anyhow, you may have encountered a few youth groups that share these names (excepting "Awesome Roadkill" which is actually a pretty awesome name) and may have possibly dubbed your rockin' youth group with one of these exciting names.

However, I think we may consider some other names and design ideas...