I've heard multiple people complain about the various rules and reasonings that accompany attendance at our school. Namely the chapel attendance, and Church membership policies.
Well, i actually haven't heard a whole lot of complaining about the church membership policy, but i know quite a few people who basically lie (or rather their churches lie) on their Church Certification. A student's church must fill out an application that contains among a few other things this main requirement:
_____________ is a member in good standing of this church and is serving in the following position(s) of leadership:
__ Pastor
__ Minister of Youth
__ Minister of Education
__ Minister of Music
__ Bible Study Teacher
__ Active Member
Many times people retain their membership at their "home" church while they are away at school. This means they attend that church maybe a few times a year because that church is hours away from home. Therefore for their church to mark any of these boxes is an outright lie. Showing up even once a month does not even constitute "Active Membership." Thats just the obvious one; i seriously question how many students that join local churches should really be considered "Active" Members. But that is a whole other tirade.
But anyway, the main point of the objections i hear is that "the school shouldn't make us do this" or "i don't think we should go to chapel or join a church just because we are forced to." People will use this argument as justification to live in rebellion to these standards while at the same time failing to give any real reason as to why they shouldn't join a local church or attend chapel. It makes about as much sense as a teenager not cleaning his room because "my mom shouldn't make me do it." THEY'RE RIGHT!! They shouldn't HAVE to make us do things that are a vital part of our spiritual growth and ministry involvement. The real issue is either one of pride or of laziness.
Some people just hate being told what to do so much that they fight whatever it is regardless of whether its right or wrong. So, instead of addressing a situation and welcoming the accountability on something that is beneficial to them they end up missing out on a blessing from God.
Other people just don't want to make the effort because they are lazy or don't want to make the sacrifice. But, since they can't justify why they personally shouldn't want to take such steps of obedience to grow closer to GOD, they hide behind a point that can be argued. Namely that of whether the school should have such restrictions or not.
Or maybe they are just really stupid and Satan actually has them duped into believing that those reasons are sufficient enough to not get involved in a local church body or to not get taught by some of the best speakers some of them will ever have the privilege of hearing.
The question we need to ask ourselves is the same for every other question in life. What does Scripture say you should DO. Not, what does scripture say about the issue or on it. Cause in the end, regardless of whose actually "right" or "wrong," regardless of hypotheticals, philosophical or theological implications, regardless of all those things, we are called to pursue holiness, and to worship God with all of our heart, mind, body, and soul. Anything short of that (regardless of how great your reasoning is) is a waste of your life.
1 comment:
Good Post. Something to add I'm sure when your fellow students signed up they were given the rules and if they didn't like them they didn't have to come.
About 30 years ago Bob Jones University had a rule against inter-racial dating on campus, while at school. Was the rule wrong, you and I both know that it is(I believe they have since changed it), but BJ is a private school which receives NO federal funds and every one was aware of it when they signed up. Well some one sued and I think it was when they were like Jrs. and I beleive they won.
Now we can argue whether Bob Jones is misguided and to legalistic, but I feel the students knew the rules and if they didn't want to comply don't go.
GOD BLESS
DAD
Post a Comment