27 March, 2025

Freshmen Shocked: Bible College Nothing Like CIY

by | 25 August, 2018 | 0 comments

By Caleb Kaltenbach

JOPLIN, MO—Record numbers of incoming freshmen are dismayed that Bible college isn’t another Christ in Youth experience.

“There’s no morning encounter speaker at Hope International University,” reported Charlie Bowdrey. “I listen to my church history professor every morning, but he doesn’t help me encounter anything other than this angry dude named Martin Luther.”

Bowdrey wasn’t the only surprised student this year. For Manhattan Christian College freshman Jessica West, the disappointment started almost immediately.

“When I got to my dorm, I was ready to go to the evening session and stay up late, but the other students were reading books called commentaries,” she said. “And there was no evening session!”

West was also surprised to learn she had four classes before lunch, two classes in the evening, and no nightly small group to attend.

“We never had homework at any summer conference I attended!”

“We’ve never claimed to be a Bible college,” stated Andy Hansen, executive director of Christ in Youth. “We help churches impact students for Christ. I’m not sure why there’s confusion.”

But that hasn’t stopped students from continuing to wonder why college isn’t like a summer conference.

“I don’t remember CIY having an early morning Greek class,” complained Ryan Foster of Ozark Christian College. “The worship band never handed out verb charts for us to memorize.”

After his first week, a Boise Bible College student complained, “No one graded us at the Move conference I attended. And we don’t have lights and a smoke machine during chapel.”

Caleb Kaltenbach is just kidding.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Columns

Walk a Little Farther

Has your faith become complacent? Is your lifestyle a bit too predictable and comfortable? Is the Lord nudging you to do more, give more, or risk more? Don’t quit if the Lord wants you to walk a little farther.  

When “Your All” Isn’t Enough

One of the great dangers of the modern church is that we have come to rely on our thinking, strength, wit, and skill and believe we can strategize, market, and promote our way out of the place in which we and our churches find ourselves.

The Power of Repetition

One of the most significant things I learned over the course of more than four decades of preaching in the local church is people don’t need to be taught something new as much as they need to be reminded of what they already know.

Solutions for Ministry Stress

The fear of the Lord leads to a life of holiness and obedience, while the comfort of the Holy Spirit brings peace and strength amid trials. These two spiritual qualities enable us to be all God wants us to be as we seek to live out Jesus’ mission.

Follow Us