Institute in Basic Life Principles
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| Founders | Bill Gothard |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)3 non-profit religious |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Oak Brook, Illinois, US |
| Area served | US, 12 countries |
| Volunteers | 1,000 |
| Employees | 200 |
| Motto | Giving the World a "New" Approach to Life! |
| Website | www.iblp.org |
The Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is a non-denominational, Christian organization in Oak Brook, Illinois that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministries. IBLP was established by Bill Gothard for the purpose of resolving youth and family conflicts. IBLP's stated purpose is to provide instruction on how to find success in life by following biblical principles. It is a non-profit tax-exempt religious or charitable organization as defined by the IRS,[1] and the Institute claimed assets of $63-million on its year 2000 federal tax forms.[2][3][4]
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[edit] History
After 15 years of working with inner-city gangs, church youth groups, high school clubs, youth camps, and families in crisis, Bill Gothard wrote his master’s thesis at Wheaton Graduate School on a potential youth program which may have benefits in decreasing the number of wayward youth.
From that thesis, Gothard founded Campus Teams in 1961. The organization changed its name to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts (IBYC) in 1974, and adopted its current name in 1989 (to reflect its expansion beyond traditional teenage issues). IBLP started promoting Basic Youth Conflicts seminars in areas around the United States and other nations, which according to its own history, during the 1970s had attendances of up to 20,000 persons [5].
IBLP's programs have keys services, which include seminars, public services, training for ministry, community outreach, troubled youth mentoring, and an international ministry. They all deal with education and contributing to the community. According to the IBLP, many of the ministry's workers have received (and continue to receive) Presidential medals for their work in helping the community in various ways [6].
Bill Gothard serves on the Board of Directors as President of IBLP. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is United States Congressman Sam Johnson.[7]
[edit] Programs Offered by IBLP
[edit] Seminars
- Basic Seminar--The introduction to the basic teachings of Gothard and IBLP. The seminar is 32 hours in length, typically held over a period of six days. It focuses on seven principles. As defined by Gothard, the principles are Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success. These are designed to help the individual to "view all of life from God's perspective" (again, as Gothard defines it). Basic Seminar "alumni" (as IBLP refers to those having attended it) can re-attend the Basic Seminar free of charge.
- Advanced Seminar--Continues on the principles taught in the Basic Seminar. One must have attended the Basic Seminar in order to attend the Advanced Seminar. The Advanced Seminar primarily focuses on the areas of Marriage, Family, and Finances.
- Anger Resolution Seminar--A specialized seminar dealing with anger issues. Much of the material presented in this seminar is adapted from the Basic, but presented in a way geared to resolving anger issues. No prior Seminar attendance is required.
- Children's Institute--held in conjunction with the Basic, Advanced, and Anger Resolution Seminars, it presents the principles from the Basic Seminar in a way that is geared toward children ages 5-12.[8]
- Total Health Seminar--A seminar dealing with medical issues, as well as Gothard's theory that "physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional factors that affect your total health." [9]
[edit] Controversies and criticism
Personal Freedom Outreach (PFO), a St. Louis based Christian ministry, has published criticism about Gothard in three basic areas: a view that Gothard's views are legalistic teachings and interpretations of Scripture, a belief that IBLP and its adherents exhibit a "cult-like" mentality, and concern about Gothard's application of authoritarianism within his own organization.[10]
Gothard was also accused by Midwest Christian Research, an Illinois-based group similar to PFO, of being hyprocritical for not practicing what he preaches about conflict resolution.[11]
[edit] References
- ^ IRS, Search for Charities, Online Version of Publication 78 (last accessed 8/30/06)
- ^ Silja J.A. Talvi "Cult of Character" In These Times January 9, 2006
- ^ Culture Wars Follow this leader and your kids will obey their masters and join lockstep with God or else by Bob Norman. New Times Broward-Palm Beach September 12, 2002
- ^ DCF head warms to faith groups LEONORA LaPETER and CURTIS KRUEGER St. Petersburg Times August 22, 2002
- ^ IBLP | History
- ^ IBLP | What We Do
- ^ IBLP | Board of Directors
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://iblp.org/iblp/discipleship/conferences/totalhealth/november08
- ^ G. Richard Fisher, "A Study in Evolving Fadism: The Cultic Leanings of Bill Gothard's Teachings", Personal Freedom Outreach Quarterly Journal, April-June 1996.
- ^ Ron Henzel "Bill Gothard and Institute in Basic Life Principles" Midwest Christian Outreach 2006
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Christianity Today: "Exegeting Bill Gothard", a book review and discussion of theological issues related to the Institute, critical of the Institute.
