Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Christian Colleges Losing Christianity?

Dennis asks the following question:  A topic that has grown in me is the change in the Concordia Colleges. When I attended (67-71) the Colleges were schools for Christ-servant oriented students. Now it seems that they are little more than public universities. In my small view the church is being lost in the chase for funds. Am I wrong?

To get the discussion going, I'll put in my $0.02.

I attended a Christian College (Texas Lutheran College now University).  There are more than a few things that I have found intriguing about my experience then and now that time has passed.

Here are a few notables:

1. I was told that at one point national church bodies once gave a large percentage of the college's budget.  That number had dwindled somewhere near only 1%.

2.  Most of the capital improvement projects were not funded by the church.  Nearly every one during and after my college years was given by individuals and corporations.

3. My alma mater changed its name from Texas Lutheran College to Texas Lutheran University because "college" was getting a bad rap, and they were losing potential students.  (and therefore, potential $$$)

4. Society, in general, pushes science and technology instead of the liberal arts.  Christian colleges who seek to be Christ centered have found themselves a bit devalued because of a more "secular" push in society.

All this is to say, in a very real way, follow the money.  Colleges/Universities have become very big businesses these days, and they will cater to those who give/pay.  If the larger church isn't giving and paying like it was, it will not have as much influence.  Just my opinion.

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