DBC Approach

Spiritual Growth And Development

The primary goal of DBC is for all members of the community to know the Lord Jesus Christ personally and to grow in that relationship in such a way that they become more and more like Him.

Growth in Community at DBC

The primary person responsible for growth is the individual. But God in His wise counsel has planned that growth takes place in community. The Board of the College therefore engages the services of lecturers, both nationals and expatriates, who are carefully chosen to model, teach, and guide students toward this growth goal.

Lecturers in turn are accountable to others (Dean, Principal, Board) for growth in greater achievement of the spiritual and personal goals we hold as a community. There are many ways this development (growth) in community takes place – chapel, classroom, personal relationships with fellow students and lecturers, field service, prayer days, college socials, and practical work.

Fellowship Groups

One of the chief elements in the DBC approach to spiritual growth and personal development is the Fellowship Group/Class Group. All students (should) belong to a fellowship group. These groups meet for prayer and fellowship regularly as part of the chapel prayer times and at other times if the group so chooses. A lecturer or husband and wife team will oversee the coordination and planning of the group’s activities.

Councilor and Counselee

Students are allocated annually to a staff member for counseling. The idea is to advise, guide, encourage, and caution the student in his growth and progress in Christ-likeness. A counseling schedule is worked out between the student and the lecturer. It is hoped that most students will develop some level of personal discipleship relationship with their counselor.

It is also anticipated that in such a relationship a person asks another to hold him or her accountable and to assist in growth toward ever higher goals of Christ-likeness, assisting the student in identifying areas of weakness and setting goals for spiritual growth.

Institutional Accountability

Besides the group and personal relationships, another important factor in the DBC approach to spiritual growth and personal development is DBC institutional accountability. Since accountability within the group or with the counselor is voluntary and varies from person to person and group to group, all students, staff, and board members are accountable to the DBC community as a whole for adherence to DBC’s biblical and ministry standards.

This accountability is expressed in two ways:

First, all of us are “our brother’s keeper.” We should hold one another accountable to the highest and best. At the very least we should help one another abide by our official standards. This means that if anyone (staff or student) observes another member of the DBC community violating a biblical or ministry standard, he or she should speak to the person with humility and graciousness, seeking mutual edification. If there is a serious infraction of biblical or ministry standards, or a continual violation of some lesser standard, it should be communicated to the Principal.

Secondly, all members of the DBC community are expected to sign a statement periodically, indicating their compliance with College standards. This is an honour system of basic accountability. In the case of staff, this statement is made annually and submitted to the Principal. In the case of students, this statement is made on a quarterly basis and submitted to the Principal.