Have you ever considered how…
…a couple that is now married but met back in Bible college never seems to say, “We met in college”? They inevitably seem to say, “We met at Bible college!”
…Mr. John Davis can never reference Maranatha simply as Maranatha? Whenever in chapel, all four nouns always remain present in his address: “Here at Maranatha Baptist Bible College….”
…we are warned to be careful whenever we hear about a “movement”? Dr. Phelps has cautioned those of us that are in the Men in Ministry Forum several times. Yet Maranatha, er, Maranatha Baptist Bible College (there we go) and probably most of the Baptist churches that associate with the college are part of what we have heard referred to during Fundamentalism Conference as the Fundamentalist movement.
…the focus here is placed on activities of service and ministry in the local church rather than the heart of ministry? Specific example: asking students to stand at the beginning of chapel if they participated in a ministry in their local church (such as music, kids programs, preaching, etc). Why such a focus on the “doings” of ministry rather than the “heart” of ministry? Such as, actually talking to and encouraging fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and really actually caring. Ministry does not have to be done through a ministry (i.e., counseling a kid through the Wednesday night program, or only talking to people because you’re a greeter, or only sharing the Word when you’re in front of people).
Just some random thoughts of mine. The last paragraph there is somewhat me preaching to myself for not always going to church with that proper mindset of ministering to my brothers and sisters as I should.
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Jacob, I definitely hear ya. Good thoughts. I have noticed the craze to say every word of MBBC. :o)
One thing about (that other [Bible] college here in Wisconsin) that I really loved was the heart focus…some people here at Maranatha have what they call “the Northland heart,” but because it’s so emphasized there it’s a little more prevelant I think.
When people have that heart for service and ministry, it will naturally outpour to others, but as you said, it doesn’t mean that one will necessarily be involved in an organized type of ministry. Good thoughts…
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