The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Are the Reformed elitist

A Reformed friend pointed out that the cost of Reformed books and materials, the pricy Reformed schools, and even Reformed homeschool materials being higher price.

Is there an attitude among the Reformed that excludes the common family?

I don't see it pertaining to the Reformed only, but to conservative Christianity overall. We price out many.

Perhaps they are higher priced because normally Reformed materials are coming from smaller publishers? Also, perhaps Reformed seminaries cost more because they are smaller. Also, and I don't know about PCA schools, but the independantly Reformed seminaries do not have a denomination paying part of the students' tuition.

So. Baptists are flush with cash and finance a lot of educations. I think the cost is comparable but the cooperative program picks up a big piece of the tuition, etc. at bapt. universities and seminaries. The perception is that its cheaper but its not.

If you mean that Reformed believers generally don't hand out or write cheap "gospel" tracts or provide second-rate "Bible College" educations, then I suppose the Reformed are "elitist."

But really, I know at least my church has a good mix of people from most social classes, including a goodly number of "common families."

Kyle,

I'm not referring about the makeup of the Reformed church, but who in the church can afford to take advantage of Reformed educational opportunities. I was talking to an assistant Pastor friend of mine who bemoaned that fact that his family is priced out of those opportunties. Most endeavors are setup for high wage earners. Its not deliberate, just short in vision. He has a stay-at-home wife and three children. The price of a PCA-founded school in his community is way too high, and even Reformed homeschooling materials are higher.

How can Christian education be more impacting if we only geared it toward a couple of demographics?

Well, John, I have to admit I'm not familiar with the costs of private, pre-college education in Reformed circles. I would say if, in general, they tend to be geared toward high-income families, that is something that ought to change.

A person will spend 50K for a 3 year M.Div degree (w/ books) from RTS. Many from the other side of the tracks cannot afford such an education.

IMO I would like to see seminaries offer a "free" education (M. Div.). The total expense would be supported by the student's church, presbytery, etc. The student should have to pass a series of so-called tests before being considered for a "student" appointment (a certain level of competency should have been reached by a student before entering seminary) and once in the program have to maintain a certain GPA, ministry, and lifestyle - thus somewhat protecting the process.

For some reason the title of this thread made me laugh then I thought, "Ooooh, elitist not ELITEST..."

Anyway.

That's a good one. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />