Every Christian school I've investigated requires all sorts of references from pastors and youth leaders, none of which can be related. They also, often, require references from "Christian friends".... what about people like me who don't have the blessing of living in an area that has Christians who will be my friend? They also usually require that you've known the friend for 2 or more years.... good greif!
Any ideas? Does anyone know of a Christian school that accepts you based on personal merit, not based on who you know? I am very much in love with Jesus, but I really need to spend my time devoted to searching out His face, not making money all day, and then seeking Him when it's convenient.
Why is the roster at Christian schools so extremely selective? Shouldn't they accept anyone who wants to learn about Jesus???
Actually, no... and yes. As vespasia noted, all schools (even secular colleges) try to avoid nepotism, and so they require references from non-relatives. Most seminary programs also require a reference who can speak about your background in ministry -- i.e. what you've done for Christ
before going to seminary. After all, the seminaries want to train people to
continue in their ministry, fully armed with faithful instruction in doctrine and Scripture. They are not there to train "seekers" -- not like a typical 4-year liberal arts college and their "undeclared" majors among freshman and sophomore students.
As far as requiring you to seek and hold onto Christian friends, that should simply be an outgrowth of membership in your church. When I quietly announced my intent to just visit a seminary to discern my calling, I had a half-dozen men and women offering their help in getting me references. I'm not nearly as close to those people as I am to my agnostic best friend nor my near-heretic uncle, but those fellow church members offered nonetheless -- as did my unbelieving friend and nutty uncle. It's not so much who you know as what you do and what people see in you. That is what references are all about.
If you have not lived in an area long enough to know good Christians who might call you friend, then it's time to wait. As my mother often says, "When we pray, God either says 'Yes' or 'No' or 'Not right now.'" It looks to me like He's saying to you "Not right now." Perhaps what you perceive as roadblocks ought to be viewed as opportunities for growth, giving you some goals to accomplish before studying for full-time ministry. I spend nearly every evening and certainly every lunch break actually studying the Bible. I read extensively, self-educating myself on some basic things -- and even some more advanced theological things. Most importantly, I am patient, as I know that God qualifies those He has called to ministry. Sometimes that "qualification" may take a while, and it may involve more suffering than we think we deserve or can bear. But that's when we must remember what Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler:
"One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." --
Mark 10:21
Sometimes we are sure we've gotten everything right, and then that's when we are presented with the hard choice of not just learning about Jesus but truly giving up our past life and living a new life, so that we can suffer and even die for Him, confident in the knowledge that though we may lose our mortal life we will yet have eternal life in Him. I have spent the past year building my ministry inside and outside the church, taking an occasional turn in the pulpit, mentoring younger men, and even working on these forums. It truly is not about who you know, just what the people around you see you doing to live like Christ.
So, yes, the colleges have the right to be selective. If they were discriminating on the basis of your faith -- perhaps not matching their own "Statement of Faith" -- then it might simply be a matter of applying to a different school. But it sounds more like you just haven't got quite enough references yet. So take the time to build those references, to work in lay ministry, to strengthen your knowledge and faith and love.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. --
2 Peter 1:5-8 (my italics)
Peace,