What changes would it take to suggest your Fundy U to your own children

[kristensdaddy]

My wife and I were having this discussion last evening. What would your Fundy U have to change for you to allow/suggest your child attend your Alma Mater? The list may be long or short. BJU, PCC, HAC, - it matters not which school.

At this moment, there is just no way I send my daughter to BJU.

So, what would they have to change?

[Mommy2Kids]

I went to NBBC. Even though they are making changes, most of them in the right direction, I don't think I'd want my kids to go there. Distance has a great deal to do with that, but as long as Matt Olson is there, no way.

My best friend, who is IFB, about had a stroke when I mentioned Liberty and Cedarville. I just want quality education in a normal setting with a Christian influence.

[Jenni]

I'd have to agree with Mommy2Kids - "quality education in a normal setting with a Christian influence." Being a Christian doesn't mean being weird, killing your testimony to the rest of the world, or being so separated that you never spend time around non-Christians. Any of the Fundy schools mentioned would have to 1) accept responsibility for their mistakes, 2) require those in leadership to accept responsibility for past errors as well, 3) adjust the rules so that adults attending college are treated like adults and can make adult decisions and, 4) fix their testimony - be more proactive in helping those around them, like Jesus did, and also maintain standards/accreditation/whatever else is needed so that graduates can go into the ministry OR choose to be salt and light in the world by working a secular job.

But I'm not holding my breath for any of that to happen.

[Elijah Craig]

Bath salts.

Oh, what would they change... I thought you were asking me what might make me send my kids to Fundy U.

[Tikatu]

I'm with Jenni on her requirements, but even so, I wouldn't send my kids there. The stigma generated by years and years of "weird, judgemental, unaccredited, etc." will linger for a long time yet, and, to me, the "Christian influence" is not enough of a reason to let my kids' future be affected by that stigma.

[pastor's wife]

I attended BJU. Although I've only recently decided this, I'm not planning on recommending it to my kids. What would they have to change for me to send my kids there?

1. They'd have to have regional accreditation; I don't want them wasting thousands of dollars and four years on a degree they may not be able to use.

2. They'd have to loosen up their position on music. I wish BJU approached music the way they approach the KJV. They PREFER the KJV and use it, but they don't separate from people who use other versions. I don't ask that BJU stop using traditional music, but that they stop demonizing other Christians who don't hold the same standards.

3. The rules would have to be a little more normal. Things have loosened up somewhat since I was there, but some of the rules are extremely nitpicky and overbearing. (One that I found ridiculous was that people of the opposite sex couldn't sit at the same table in the library. If you did or if you talked to one, you'd get demerits.) I've also heard that there's little grace shown to people who get on the bad side of the administration. I'd like consistent love and humility to characterize interactions between the students and the dean of men and dean of women's offices. Rules that are not clearly stated in the Bible would also not apply to students when not on campus (i.e., students wouldn't get in trouble for going to the movies when home on Christmas break.)

I feel rather silly even bothering to answer this question, though, because I don't think those changes will ever, ever happen. I loved many things about BJU - especially all the fine arts, drama, art gallery, orchestra, etc. - but to me those don't make it worth sending my kids there.

[RobMille]

There's no change they could make that I would ever consider recommending any IFB U to anyone planning for college. Especially not my own kids.

[EmilyKing]

Not possible.

[just_a_thinker]

The changes I would require are so vast and "fundamental" (pun intended) that there is no possible way they could be instituted by the time I had children headed to college. Ergo, moot point.

[Away-From-The-Umbrella]

Hell would have to freeze over...