PBU University Ministry Center - Local Church Participation

Local Church Participation

Philadelphia Biblical University is committed to the local church. Involvement in a local church is an integral element of our academic vision. Attendance and service in the local church is where on-campus instruction is integrated with real life ministry. Involvement in a local church is central to accomplishing the mission of the University.

Church The local church is a body of professing believers organized to do the work of God. It is the local manifestation of the universal church of which Christ is the Head and Builder. To be involved with a local church is to be involved in God’s work on earth. The local church is the ideal place for personal spiritual growth and equipping for ministry. Ephesians 4:11-16 outlines a biblical philosophy of ministry which includes leaders who equip others for “the work of service” and “the building up of the body of Christ.” Every person in this body has a unique and vital role which contributes to the growth and health of the whole body. How God works through the diversity and uniqueness of the body parts is developed in 1 Corinthians 12. In a local church each member has an opportunity to exercise his/her “divine design” (personality, spiritual and natural gifts, passions, etc.) to help that local body grow. This involvement also results in personal spiritual growth as individual member’s minister to each other. The gathering of believers for the purpose of stimulation and encouragement is a command of God.

Heb. 10:23-25 (NAS): “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Therefore, PBU is committed to the importance of the local church as God’s provision for personal and spiritual formation. Students are expected to attend a local church regularly. Students are required to attend a minimum of one worship service in a local church each week.

University Events on Sunday

Sunday is set apart primarily for worship, fellowship, ministry and rest for God's people. Therefore the scheduling of events and programs not designed for worship, fellowship or ministry on Sundays is not encouraged.