Ephesians 4:12 tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Most of the issues that we face as Christians (whether we are new to the faith or have been raised in the faith) are directly related to that spiritual battle that goes on all around us. You will not find the Christian life to always be simple here at Central; you will not find yourself to be safe from this spiritual warfare. Developing your faith and preparing for ministry requires discipline and hard work. It involves surrounding yourself with people of good character, studying diligently, staying in His Word (not allowing the Bible to become a textbook only), and devoting yourself to prayer and seeking God in all areas of your life. It is for this reason that
Spiritual Discipline
The Bible is clear that for the believer, there is a spiritual growth curve. The apostle Peter encourages us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Entering into a faith relationship with Jesus is the beginning of the Christian life. Growing is a process that requires the believer to participate in a set of behaviors that are designed to open our lives up to the influence of God’s Spirit on our attitudes and actions. It is the goal of the faculty and staff of CCCB to encourage and provide opportunities for those who participate in our campus community to be built up in this process. Our goal is not that every student becomes perfect in their spiritual growth but for each student to be able to demonstrate some growth while they share their lives in this community.
Sin Issues
A community can be a vital link in helping the student overcome the pull of the world. Students may come to college struggling with a habit or sin, which is holding them back from their full spiritual potential. By participating in close fellowship, which includes confession and repentance and other spiritual disciplines, the student may find the key to real spiritual growth. Students, as well as college personnel, are encouraged to report ALL incidents where the Code of Conduct has been violated. Sometimes it will not be necessary to report the name of the persons involved, but calling the issues to the attention of administration is imperative. When a student self-reports, the Restorative Discipline process is expedited and every effort is made to restore the student to the community and provide accountability.
The Fruit of the Spirit
The believer who is experiencing this kind of growth will demonstrate this growth by an increase in the “fruits,” which show Christian character. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22–24, ESV)
Personal Discipline
Personal Devotions. Personal devotions are a vital part of your spiritual growth and development. You are urged to set aside a time each day to spend with the Lord and His Word. It may be difficult to find a quiet, private place in the dormitory to develop this habit. Still, students are encouraged to use the common areas of Pelfrey Hall, the Walton Student Center, the library, and outdoor seating areas as places to have devotions.
Entertainment Choices. To protect the minds, consciences, and witnesses of our students, we expect that only morally appropriate movies, programs, and video games be shown or watched on campus. Students should ensure that they are not devoting excessive time to entertainment to the neglect of healthy relationships, studies and other responsibilities and/or ministries.
TELEVISION AND MOVIE CHOICES. Only G, PG, and PG-13 movies may be shown or viewed in public areas on the College campus. Exceptions to this rule for educational or ministry purposes (showing of clips, etc.) must be previously approved by a professor for use in the professor’s class or by the Vice President of Student Development for ministry purposes. Students are expected to use good judgment when watching movies off-campus and follow similar principles. Most films and programs are not licensed for public display, as they are limited to home or personal showings. Copyright laws prevent public viewing and advertisement of films in any public assembly area (gymnasium, Walton Student Center, classrooms, or dorm lobbies) without having public performance rights or written permission from the producer. The same applies to pay-per-view events and/or streaming programs (legally or illegally).
Television programs rated MA are not allowed to be viewed in public spaces. Any questions about these guidelines for public viewing should be handled through the Dean of Students. Students are allowed to watch movies and programs on their electronic devices, computers, DVD players, or personal televisions in private spaces. However, only G, PG, and PG-13 movies and Y, Y7, G, PG, and PG- 14 television shows are allowed to be in possession of and viewed by the students in non-public areas. When viewing movies or shows in the collaboratorium, WSC viewing areas or the Central Cinema couples are not permitted to view without a third person present.
Students are responsible for exercising spiritual wisdom when viewing movies and videos. No unrated movies may be shown, watched, or possessed anywhere on campus. The Student Development Office and the Residence Directors may prohibit specific movies from being viewed and/or possessed on campus, regardless of their rating.
VIDEO GAMES AND BOARD/CARD GAMES. While video gaming consoles and gaming services are permitted, please use good judgment in the types of game and the amount of time and money spent on their use. Video Games that are rated MA are allowed only if they are on the approved list of games that have been vetted through Student Development. Board games and card games promoting Satanic or immoral material are not allowed. If there is a question about a video game or board or card games acceptability, please speak with a student authority for discernment.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT. No forms of adult entertainment are allowed for Central students, including pornography, visiting adult bookstores, clubs featuring inappropriate exhibitions (nudity, lewd dancing, etc.), nor any location where sexual immorality is present. Dances that involve or promote immodesty or sensuality should be avoided.
Personal Preferences. Central realizes that all of our students come to the college from a variety of regions of the country and world, from differing backgrounds, faiths, and family situations. We live in a world where many cultural differences and viewpoints avail. Central is, in and of itself, a culture. The community that is being built here is not perfect because it is comprised of imperfect people. While you are a student here at CCCB, you might have to give up some of your personal preferences, and sometimes that will not seem fair, nor will it always be easy. Coming to Central to train for ministry will hopefully serve to be a time of focus on what God wants in your life, not what individual rights you wish to protect or preserve. Servant leadership will require us to submit to a wide variety of rules and standards depending on what church, or organization, or even place you are sent to serve in. It will require us to think about the preferences of those whom we serve, and more importantly, the preferences of the God that we serve.