The Unofficial Pensacola Christian College Information Site
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©2001, 2002,
The
Student Voice
| Purpose/ F.A.Q. Updated 5/15/2002 |
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Do you know how to get in touch with so and so Probably not, but post a message on the forum and someone might.
The Student Voice was started as a means of raising questions and concerns regarding the policies and standards at PCC. It was my opinion, and that of Paul Perdue (Liebniz), that there were, and continue to be real problems with the way students are treated at PCC. It was our hope that raising some legitimate concerns through an available public forum, might cause the administration at PCC to reassess what was going on at their campus. The Student Voice is an "alternative" or "underground" newsletter simply because PCC will allow no open voice for the students. The college of 4000 has no newspaper, nor any other platform for the students to make concerns known. It was this untenable situation which led to the forming of the Student Voice. So, the original reason for the Voice was basically to call for an accounting; that PCC would defend their policies, and those policies that didn't withstand the examination of biblical wisdom and teaching would be abolished. As that didn't exactly happen, the Student Voice website stands today as a repository of information regarding PCC, which prospective students do not have available to them anywhere else. Thus, they can make an informed decision about the college, rather than find out if it is for them after a major investment monetarily, emotionally, and of time. It also has an active message board that allows people to share stories and get in touch with old friends, as well as discuss more poignant non-PCC issues. What is the history of the Voice? Originally, back in 1997, the newsletters were distributed by email. The mailing grew from a handful to over 600 in a few months. The backlash at the school was incredible, as they denounced us as tools of Satan, and kicked out students whom they suspected of being involved, (none, in fact were, beyond simply reading it themselves, as hundreds had) which only fuels our distaste for the school's heavy handedness. After about two years, the Voice quit putting out new issues. There just wasn't any new ground to cover, and we were tired of the writing. At that point, the website was created to serve as an archive and effectively "keep the Voice alive." It has been maintained and occasionally upgraded over the past few years.
After my first year there, I personally would have left, however, because of my academic situation, I would be able to graduate in one more year by remaining, but if I transfered I would have been set back further. I chose to bite the bullet and return. Of course, everyone has their reasons for staying or leaving, but common sense says that it is a hard decision and not so simple as "I don't like it so I am leaving." Its not like walking out of a movie; you have a huge investment.
Let me start with this: On ONE occasion, Paul encouraged students to disobey the rule regarding no devotions outside. Without getting into the details of that (check the archives), he then printed a retraction and apologized for suggesting such a thing. At no other time did the Voice ever ask a student to disobey a rule. On the contrary, I made it quite clear that if one signs their name to obey a school's rules, they need to do it, or their word means nothing. The purpose of the Voice was never rebellion, but to raise important issues regarding the school. PCC is so obstinant to anyone even questioning their policies that they turn it into such a big deal. Because I was not personally a student at the time of the Voice, there is no way I could rebel against PCC since they had no authority over me. It was simpy of matter of a Christian asking other purported Christians to account for their actions. It is scary that they won't do it.
It is silly to suggest one is bitter because he has a strong opinion or conviction about an institution that is by many accounts smearing the name of Christ. It is far worse to know of a Christian institution harming it's members and not speak up about it. I get email regularly from people who get a cold sweat or a flood of emotions when they read and are reminded of what PCC was like for them. Are these people bitter? No, but there are definite wounds from their college experience, that need to be dealt with in whatever way. The Voice helps for some. Isn't it incredible though, that your college, your alma mater, this institution you entrusted with your glorious college years has hurt so many people? Bitter or not, its a tragedy, and it does at times make me really upset that they continue to do it. In truth, I think about PCC very little (I do get mad that I can't check the "graduated from accredited college" on my car insurance form) and this website doesn't take much maintenance (by design), but judging from the regular amount of email, it is a valuable source of info for those involved with PCC in one way or another.
Time spent witnessing is good, yes, but like Jesus, all of my time isn't spent doing that. I fall far short of his example, but he did spend a good amount of time dealing with his followers and exorting believers to live lifes that honored the father. We are called to glorify God - maybe that will entail street preaching, maybe it won't. Breakdown of how the Voice is advancing the kingdom through this site:
Shouldn't you be doing something that glorifies God instead of tearing down PCC? First of all, golden calves, or anything that keeps us from a true relationship with Christ, need to be torn down. Second, we are not tearing down; we are telling the truth about what goes on there. We don't determine the truth-they did. We just don't let them hide it. They dishonor themselves. We are just the messenger. I never shadowed anyone. If you say I have brown hair you are not tearing me down. It is a fact of who I am. If we say each year PCC systematically persecutes college students for things they didn't do, that is a fact about who they are.
That is like saying I can't critique our government, or any government for that matter, - I just have to go start my own country. We should all live lives where a fellow Christian or an unbeliever can ask us "why do you do this" and we have a ready Godly response, that can be backed up with good biblical interpretation. How much more we should expect that from a college.
Yes, God did use PCC in your life. God can use anything in one's life, but that does not mean God is blessing that thing. He used a concentration camp in Corrie Ten Boom's life. That hardly justifies them.
That is a good question and debatable. The fact is, an institution trying to follow God (more or less) is going to have problems, hurt people, and make mistakes. Many of us have probably seen churches try to enact biblical discipline only to have it end up in courts or with hurt families or misunderstandings, etc. We can't expect PCC to be perfect. Unfortunately, PCC throttles the hearts, minds, and spirits of their students and makes no apology for the mess they make in the long run. They won't even own up to it. I don't know the heart of Arlin Horton, but his "system" of Christianity is not the Christianity of the Bible. Ultimately, I think the problem at PCC is this: they are full of fear, and don't trust God to keep his promises. They fear anything they are not comfortable with in our culture, even if it has no moral implication, whatsoever. In the early 80's, CDs were banned as "new age." They ban drums. They ban piercings they are not comfortable with. They ban hair and clothes and colors and style they don't like. What are they worried about? How does this help anyone become a better Christian. Colossians tells father's (and loosely interpreted, authorities) not to provoke their children lest the children become discouraged. Well, first of all college students aren't children, but regardless, PCC is quite guilty of creating this worthless and weighty list of dos and don'ts which I believe Colossians 2:20-23 speaks about:
Then the lack of trust. If a student is suspected of cheating, his word is not enough. PCC must have their "justice" rather than let God take care of it. In their messages they tell of a God who watches over everything and will see that we all have our due, yet in their actions they are determined to mete out the punishments themselves. They don't trust God to work in a student's heart in His way. They don't trust God to protect a student or to guide a student. Their God does not play any part in the workings of PCC; they have their souless system in place, and have shut their ears to any idea of change. It is pathetic and sad. They need to read about believers like George Mueller or Keith Green, whose hearts were listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They weren't encumbered with covering themselves legally, or always looking pristine. God should be in control, not man.
Initially, it was to protect our friends and family at the school. This was a well-founded concern, as Paul's brother and many of our friends were kicked out the following semester and never given a reason why. They were not involved with the Voice, but the school didn't care. (three of them were kicked out one semester before graduation, after having attended for 3 1/2 years.) Paul eventually revealed who he was, but I haven't bothered since I didn't want the Voice associated with a particular person. My identity is not much of a secret though. If you don't know who I am, you probably don't know me anyway. I attended 94-96.
It took me three quarters to change my answer from "maybe" to "no." No, I do not think you should go to PCC. That is my educated opinion, based upon my experience and the experience of thousands of others. The Christianity you are exposed to by the administration is not one you want to emulate throughout your life. The Christian emphasis, godly peer-pressure, and good academics can be found at numerous other good Christian colleges which don't put you through all the garbage. What's that .wav file all about? If you click on the "Have I now become your enemy..." slogan, Dr. Horton is heard proclaiming that the Devil likes to do his work in secret, but God's way is to bring things to light. For the more irony-deficient among you, this statement perfectly crystalizes how blind PCC is. The entire point of the Voice was to bring to light the questionable policies and practices of PCC, yet rather than "seeing the log in their own eye," PCC rails against some upstart ex students as tools of Satan, because they are anonymous (for the reasons stated above). |
