[dogfood]

Ive got an inkling of a feeling that i should attend bible college in the near future.
but whenever before i have gone into a training education area, ive always sussed out the chances of employment happening on the other side. with bible college im totally unsure of what will happen.

anyone else had similar experiences they could share?

[Ring of a bell]

Are you talking about a one year Bible School like Torchbearers International? Or a four year school?

I attended a one year school in Sweden, I went with the intentions of afterwards going to a "secular" college. Then I ended up going to Portland, Oregon to work on my BA in Bible. This definitely is not the college to go to if you want to be making millions in your adult life (not that you couldn't, but it's not likely). But as for me, every penny spent, every moment of energy is incredibly worth it. The Lord has used Bible School to light a fire in my heart for His Word and for His World. Sure I am never going to make a lot of money (in fact I may be asking for support from people), but to be given the opportunity to spend a certain amount of time studying the scriptures and hearing people who have devoted their lives to the scripture has changed my life.

If there is anything I could be spending money on right now it would be a good Biblical Education.

I have found the more time I spend in God's Word, the more my life becomes wrapped around God and taking each day and enjoying my relationship with Him more and more, whether it leads me to "ministry" or to be in a "secular" job my time at Bible College has been incredible, and I say to anyone who thinks they should go, to go for it!

[dogfood]

i suppose going in unsure is pretty much going in faith.
but ive seen a lot of people go to bible college, and are now doing nothing with what they learnt there.

[MtlMom]

Sometimes people go to Bible College as an investment in themselves, not as part of their career ladder. Just because they aren't using it to earn money doesn't mean it wasn't time well spent.

[dogfood]

as far as money goes, its not about that.
if i got paid employment for doing stuff for the kingdom that would be added bonus.

i just kinda want to see whats on the other side,

[OiBoyz]

Originally Posted by MtlMom

Sometimes people go to Bible College as an investment in themselves, not as part of their career ladder. Just because they aren't using it to earn money doesn't mean it wasn't time well spent.

I would also add, that some people go to Bible College because they think they "should" or because it's what their parents want...

The reason to go to Bible College is to get equipped in the Word. (If you go to a good Bible College. Some will do the opposite, I'm afraid.)

[Art]

I spent one year at a two year school. You might say that I am not using what I learned, but believe me, it is with me for my entire life. What I learned there, I use every day.

[AlphaSigma]

Same,
I received my bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies with the intent of doing Youth Ministry while supporting myself as an EMT. Definitely worth the time spent. I learned so much.

[Epaphras]

Only go if you are truly called and if God provides financially -- and that could mean working you butt off as a janitor or something to pay your way through school.

It is one thing for friends and family to support you as you work in ministry because it doesn't pay enough to even live on (sometimes); it's quite another to beg for money because of your $600-$1,000 a month student loan payments from four years of private Bible college.

[Pre-Ex-Girlfriend]

Originally Posted by dogfood

as far as money goes, its not about that.
if i got paid employment for doing stuff for the kingdom that would be added bonus.

i just kinda want to see whats on the other side,

Do you mean you want to know what sorts of jobs are available to people with degrees from Bible schools? If that's the case, then talk to the school. See what sorts of degrees are available and ask them, "In what fields do most of your graduates (with such-and-such) degree end up working?"

[nards]

BCNZ has some good courses.
I know a few friends who have done their Intership programme with a focus on Youth Ministry and are now Youth Pastors. Heaps of other options through them also.
It depends if you want a broad-based course (where you do alot of papers on a range or subjects eg counselling to childrens ministry to theology to apologetics) where you can learn alot about God and His Word then specialise in what you want to do later, or just get straight into what ministry job you would like to have a qualification for while studying the bible at the same time.

[marriageman]

I went to Bible college. They usually offer the same things that public colleges offer in terms of basic programs. You can be a teacher, do pre law, business administration, and pretty much all the other stuff. The atmosphere is simply Christian focused and they do offer Bible or Theology majors and degrees.

There are some small Bible colleges that ONLY offer Bible/Theology degrees and I'm not taking about those.

[Thrash]

Talk about resurrection!

[earlessdog]

I grew up going to youth retreats to the two main Bible Schools in Saskatchewan, Nipiwan Bible College and Millar College of The Bible. Every retreat they have students doing testimonies and they always strongly urge everyone and anyone to go to a year of Bible school, it will make a world of difference in you life etc.
So, my oldest sister went for a semester, she doesn't regret it, but due to some other issues, she left after that first semester.
My next oldest sister went for a year, and it is probably the most well spent money she had ever spent (she says). Makes a huge difference, you could see it in her, so there was definite proof that Bible College can really put a fire inside you.
Then my older brother went for a year. Unbelievable, honestly, he came back practically a different man. That is when I was completely sold that Bible School, if you let it, will transform you into something that God wants you to be. He went back for a second year (it's a 4 year College) and this year he is on staff there, and next year he thinks he will go back for his 3rd year.
My good friend has paid for two years at Bible School and is in his first year. He is having the BEST times of his life, he is already a different person, it's strange and almost scary to see my close friends go and change (for good). My other close friend is going next year. I have several cousins who went as well, some who have met their spouses there (it's a good place to find a spouse!).
My sister met her boyfriend (they're basically engaged, marriage is always being sorted out and pre-planned among them) at that College (he went for like 5 years, long story on how it was 5 years, haha). He has been staff for the last couple years.
If you want an idea of career opportunities, I guess pastoring or youth pastoring would be an option.
My oldest sister's husband went to a Bible College in Alberta for like 6 years. At that school, there were academic opportunities outside what most Bible School's offer. So different schools offer different degrees, he is now using what he had there in acquiring his teacher's aid degree or something of the sort.
Another close friend of mine went to Trinity Western in B.C this year. It's a Christian based pre-med program thing, he is going to become a doctor. It's really expensive there, but once again, that school offers basically anything a regular university offers, just more christian based.

So yeah, i'm pretty much in the same boat as you, I've been contemplating it, especially after seeing my siblings transformed so much.

[Thrash]

What Bible college is it that your siblings have gone to?