Much respect for the former, but contempt for the latter. Sadly, this really seems to reflect HAC graduates in general that go into ministry. There are (many?) of the former that I think really are trying to minister the right way, but the latter seems to sum up the "big names" or those that think they are. And those guys give the others a bad name.
There were a lot of people of very kind people on staff and church members at First Baptist. Many were very sincere in their generosity and their service for our Lord.
He knew how to use people and college students to get the job done.
I don't disagree with your statement. In fact, I believe that the founding of the college was one of three watersheds that led to the downfall of his ministry. When he realized he could recruit an entire army of students to come to his church and work their tails off, everything "normal" about a church ministry changed there.
I never looked at it that way. I feel like a got a whole lot more out of my service than what I gave.
As a Christian I desire to be used. I look for oppertunities in which God may use me. I don't leave the nursing home and say I got "used" when someone asked if I could swing by nd visit for an hr. I say thank God the Lord used me again. He provided another oppertunity to be used in the ministry. When I hand out sack lunches and tracts to the homeless I don't say I got used because they will never return the favor. I thank God I have the resources (less than $100 each time) to care for the needy and I thank him for using me to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I drive the bus as a bck up driver I don't say the pastor used me because he did not pay me or even thank me. I'm not doing it for him anyways, I thank the Lord he is still using me in his work afetr all these years. When I get to take a missionary or evanglist out for a meal I don't say this full time christian servan is using me for a free mean I say thank you for using me to encourage someone who travels the country or even to another country to share the gospel. For me BEING USED is the goal.
I have asked non IFB pastors over the years why they recruit from Hyles Anderson since they often have a more middle of the road philosophy on things like standards and ministrys and the like. In every case the pastor or assistant pastor said we like HAC grads because they are trained to work and they know how to build a ministry. They are fully trained in evangelism and outreach from day one. Several also said HAC grads always have a passion for ministry and want to get something accomplished.
I’m pretty surprised that the HAC graduates would be willing to work at a non-IFB church, or that HAC would give their blessing. I can’t imagine the 1980s Bob Jones or Pensacola preacher boys jumping to an SBC or Methodist church. Maybe they do nowadays, but not a few decades ago.
A lot has changed in the past decades. I think some of it, in this respect, for the good.
This was not the case with myself. I was selfish and cheap and knew very little of sacrifice, burden for souls and people. The Bus ministry was the catalyst that began to change that in me. Anything good I have done for Christ in the last 35 years I can trace back to the instant that God changed my life in Aurora, Illinois in 1991.
We you allowed to exit the bus ministry? I thought students were required to serve on a bus.
At the time it was a one year requirement. I had that in when this occurred.
That was the rule fifty years ago, as well. I did my year on the blind bus. It was probably the most rewarding aspect of my time there.
