2006 PCC staff handbook & rules

[Ransom]

I'm thinking, things have changed.

Quite possible. There's probably been considerable turnover on staff in the meantime. Most notably, Arlin Horton retired as president only a few months after this thread started.

If there's been change for the better at PCC, I'd like to hear it from current and recent students whom it affected (and who aren't just cultishly repeating the PR line they're encouraged to say).

 

[abcaines]

Ya. Like I said, next summer we plan to be in Pensacola. I want to make a point of attending the Wednesday service.

Despite their past obsession with rules, the Campus Church was where I attended and it is what God used to establish me in the faith. The folks I knew at the time were the genuine article. They're all gone; many of them with the Lord. In addition to taking Mrs. abcaines to some of the best beaches in the world, I want to show her around to see the places where I worked or hung out.

I've been in touch with the chapter president (CMA) in Pensacola, he's retired Navy, so we're also looking forward to meeting fellow CMA folks from other parts of the country. Lord willing, this is going to be an epic trip.

 

[sword]

If your going to criticize the school at least reference the current handbook

https://static.pcci.edu/PCC/Handbook/pcc-studenthandbook-23-24.pdf

Nothing in their rules seems unusual for a school with Independent fundamental Baptist roots.

They have full page ads in every edition of the Sword of the Lord magazine, did you expect them not to have rules on behaviour and dress.

 

[Ransom]

If your going to criticize the school at least reference the current handbook

You were, of course, aware that this thread is over a decade old, and that the handbook in question was the A Beka personnel handbook, not the college student handbook? And that as such it may still have been relevant?

 

[Agent P]

I'm with you. Completely lost on how this is being used.

I would suspect anything NOT a PCC sponsored camp meeting, e.g. some Southern Baptist camp.

 

[Ransom]

Anyway, sure, let's have a look at a few of these "nothing seems unusual" rules.

Men's hair:

Hair must be neatly combed and tapered (blended/faded) or styled without obvious lines, and kept above the ears, eyebrows, and collar. (15)​

Ah, yes, the "holy haircut," approved by Jesus himself for men at all times and all places, because as the Bible says, "be not conformed."

And I've already gotten myself [checks] 10-25 demerits, not because I'm disobeying the Bible, but because I clip my hair to less than 1/4 inch and there are obvious lines everywhere because I'm not bothering to taper my hairline.

Must be fully grown in and groomed to remain defined and of uniform length, between ¼ and ½ inch, and may not be scruffy, unkempt, patchy, or thin. (15)​

Oh, dear. There's another 25 demerits, because I clip my otherwise sanctified goatee to 1/8" as well.

Plan to start growing facial hair during Christmas or summer vacations as it must meet the guidelines listed below when checking in. (15)​

LOL. You can have a beard, as long as you don't grow one.

As an alternative rule, may I suggest: Mind your own business. I'm [checks ID] an adult, and I'm capable of deciding for myself when I want to grow a beard.

Any music that promotes worldly values or associations in its lyrics or style should be avoided Whether or not the lyrics are Christian, music in the style of contemporary Christian, country, jazz, rock, rap, R & B, or pop is prohibited and may not be listened to on or off campus. (18)​

What I listen to in my headphones, while I'm not in class or otherwise on the clock, is none of their business. It's my heart; I think I know better what will turn it toward the things of Christ.

Unapproved music gains me another 25 demerits (and yes, based on my extensive jazz and classic rock libraries, I'm assuming the maximum penalty on purpose).

PCC represents Christ as a Christian ministry, and the conduct of its students should always glorify the Lord To help maintain this testimony within the community, college standards should always be upheld, even when students are off campus with guests PCC students may not go to bars, clubs, casinos, movie theaters, or other locations that may harm one’s personal testimony. (22)​

It's my personal testimony, not theirs. Again, [checks ID] I'm competent to decide for myself, informed by biblical standards and godly wisdom, what will glorify the Lord or harm my testimony. I don't need PCC to police my testimony for me.

PCC represents Christ; therefore, eating with tax collectors and sinners nets me another 75 demerits. I'm already on probation; now I'm subject to suspension. Oops.

Two methods are used to check out when going off campus. (42)​

No, [checks ID again] unless I'm obliged to be somewhere, I'll come and go as I please. Though that's just netted me another 25 demerits for "irresponsibility."

Goodness, the ordinary business of adulting has just gotten me shipped.

 

[Ransom]

To continue:

Students attend Campus Church meetings including Sun morning, Sun evening, and Wed evening services Students also attend the Bible Study Group of their academic classification; attendance is recorded at each location via PCC Card tap or attendance form. (22)​

This is another contentious issue with PCC. Is the Campus Church a duly constituted New Testament church, or isn't it? The general consensus around the Student Voice was that by PCC's own tacit admission--they said it operated "in the spirit of" an independent Baptist church--it wasn't.

I take no issue with a college or seminary having a private chapel, reflecting its own theological standards, and holding midweek services or devotionals, or whatever you want to call it, for students. I'm sure every Bible college does that.

Where I take issue is with their treating Campus Church as though it is a New Testament church, and making attendance mandatory during ordinary worship times. They could be encouraging students to join a local, Bible-believing assembly and taking part in the body there, where there may be a need for, say, nursery workers, Sunday-school teachers, ushers, and so forth. Not to mention just laying down roots in the local Christian community. Instead of building up students in Christian maturity, they are robbing them of church life--which is more than just sitting in chapel, listening to a message--and basically stunting their spiritual maturation by sticking them in a ghetto.

 

[Ransom]

Apparently, all the good joke rules are on the same page:

Students are expected to use academic and recreational facilities on the PCC campus and should not go to other college campuses to use their facilities or equipment. (22)​

LOL. When I was in university, I did more research at the other university in town. Their library had a better literature section than my school's. It's laughable that an institution would prohibit its students from seeking out good academic resources off-campus--unless, again, they're trying to keep them in the ghetto.

All told, the current rules aren't wholly unreasonable. Of course, they never were. We can all agree that Christian couples shouldn't seek opportunities to fornicate, people shouldn't advocate for un-Christian viewpoints on campus, or keeping the campus "dry" are all goods.

Are there still unwritten rules that will get you in trouble if you break them? It's a motte-and-bailey fallacy to point to the good and fair rules, and imply that we ought to feel exactly the same about the stupid and unfair ones.

Nothing in their rules seems unusual for a school with Independent fundamental Baptist roots.

I'm sure I'd find a lot of "usual" IFB college rules equally restrictive and ridiculous.

Because sometimes, as one of Dickens's characters once pointed out, the law is a ass.

 

[4everfsu]

Their love for the Lord, desire to see souls saved, and personal character would be called into question. They throw down the "Character Card" a lot...an awful lot. If that did not work they would tell them the Bible says they can't sue a fellow Christian...

If the above methods did not sway the soon-to-be-former-employee, they would probably blow a gasket like this:

WCBC Eagle

Usually those pastors defense against criticism was, touch not God's anointed...

 

[abcaines]

Bottom line: If you find value in attending PCC, whatever that value is, you'll go there knowing the rules and abide by them even if they seem excessive. It's the same way with the military. For nearly 50 years, the military has been all volunteer. You go, you abide by the rules. If the rules are too excessive by your standards, DON'T ENROLL.

For all it's foibles, the Campus Church was what God used to ground me in the faith. Was it perfect? Far from it, but for whatever reasons, it was what God chose to shape me. I'm a very different person both in maturity and philosophy nowadays. I highly doubt if we were to move to Pensacola, that Campus Church would be the one we would join. We'd likely find some other imperfect church that is a closer fit with our imperfect philosophy.

 

[Baptist City Holdout]

I would suspect anything NOT a PCC sponsored camp meeting, e.g. some Southern Baptist camp.

I would think so then. It is definitely written so that those to whom it applies will understand.

 

[steelgirl]

I know Pensacola is still on the fringe. Pensacola College Today, seems like Liberty University or Cedarville in the 90s. I figured that because one of the well known mom YouTubers sends one of her children there. If u were to watch her YouTubes, you would find find a normal Christian mom who often uses Contemporary Secular Music in her videos.

 

[FSSL]

I'm thinking, things have changed. I have been scoping out the Campus Church lately because my wife and I are planning to pay them a visit next summer.

... and if it works out, we would like to take you and your wife to catch some "throwed rolls!"

 

[abcaines]

... and if it works out, we would like to take you and your wife to catch some "throwed rolls!"

Just looked it up. We'll definitely need to work that in!

 

[abcaines]

I know Pensacola is still on the fringe. Pensacola College Today, seems like Liberty University or Cedarville in the 90s. I figured that because one of the well known mom YouTubers sends one of her children there. If u were to watch her YouTubes, you would find find a normal Christian mom who often uses Contemporary Secular Music in her videos.

I was stationed at NAS Pensacola from 1983-1985 and attended the Campus Church for much of that time. I was involved in the military ministry led by Ernest Varney. Looking back on it, I can see where PCC might be considered on the fringe but in reality they were quite tame compared to another group in Pensacola, the Ruckmanites.

In the 40 years since my time there I have been involved in different churches, most notably, Calvary Chapel for about the past 23 years. Of course, I am very different from what I used to be; anyone walking with the Lord for many decades ought to be; however, I count myself blessed by my time in Pensacola. I have many precious memories of staff and members who were the real deal who invested much time and patience in me as a young believer.

My wife and I are planning a trip to Pensacola this summer and I plan to attend a Wednesday evening service there. I'm definitely not PCC material but I believe it is entirely appropriate for me to attend a service there and let my wife see some of what made me into the person I am today. I'm sad in a way; I don't expect to bump into many who date back as far as I do there... Many of them are in Heaven now.

 

[sword]

It appears that these are just on-campus rules - there is nothing to suggest that these rules must apply at any employee's home

I beg to differ. The handbook spends nearly two full pages (22-24) to say employees are not allowed to attend theatres or watch Hollywood movies at home; in fact, they must sign an "integrity pledge" to that effect, which is to say they consider such a contractual obligation.

They request that employees or their families not attend "denominational-type" camps (24) - a rule that would seem to apply not merely on-campus or at the employee's home, but when they are out of town on vacation.

Ladies' dress code applies not only to female employees of PCC and A Beka, but to wives of male employees who are not employed by the institution (24) as well as any daughters 13 and over (25).

Single personnel may not go to the beach in mixed groups; they must be sex-segregated like the students (27). I assume that swimming is not a part of the job description.

Staff must attend Campus "Church," as well as various revival services, missions conferences, and other special events (28). That means that the employer is also dictating to its employees where they may hold church membership.

All personnel must attend group meetings every Monday at 7 pm (31). At every job I've had, staff meetings were held during business hours.

Spouses not employed by PCC or ABS are not allowed to seek employment with other academic institutions, for the sake of "loyalty" (36).

"We expect spouses not working here to follow the same policies concerning dress" (36).

All this is not only not "just on-campus rules" - the whole handbook is downright draconian. Discussion of the ridiculous panoply of totalitarian rules was the main purpose of the late, lamented "Student Voice" underground newsletter and Web site.

Is this the current employee handbook or the 20 year old one?

 

[Ransom]

Is this the current employee handbook or the 20 year old one?

It is the 2006 employee handbook, as discussed in 2012. I had nothing to say about the current handbook at the time, as my time machine was in the shop.