Chapel
Chapel is instrumental in fulfilling the mission, vision, and core values of Lancaster Bible College and is a vital part of the LBC curricula. Chapel has three primary goals: Engaging Scripture, Forming Disciples, and Building Community.
Engaging Scripture: God’s Word is truth! Chapel helps us integrate Scripture with our lives, looking at both historic teachings and current issues. As faculty, staff, and students engage God’s word together, it will create stronger connections across campus. Speakers will demonstrate high quality teaching and preaching guided by orthodox Christian doctrines with the aim of proclaiming Christ and challenging students in their faith, helping to form a Christian worldview.
Forming Disciples: God is shaping us into the image of Christ. Chapel helps to foster growth by employing the widest possible range of practices and formats. We will engage in a variety of spiritual disciplines, worldview thinking, and corporate worship practices to help us grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
Building Community: God made us for community. We need each other. In chapel, we will prioritize connecting and celebrating a diverse campus that spans numerous departments across multiple locations. We will strengthen our friendships and community by highlighting various activities, events, and achievements.
Chapel is the part of the way God grows our campus culture, individually and in community. Chapel is a vehicle for helping each student, staff, and faculty member sense their belonging and recognize their role in the LBC | Capital family and the kingdom of God.
Chapel Attendance Policy
Chapel meets three times per week in the Good Shepherd Chapel (GSC): Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:10 – 9:55 am. Because chapel is central to formation for the LBC community, regular attendance is expected for Faculty, Staff, and Traditional Undergraduate students.
Chapel Attendance Requirement:
- As a regular rhythm of life at LBC, students are required to attend 80% of the total number of scheduled chapels (42) in accordance with the class attendance policy.
- Resident Students - Factoring in nine (9) skips for illness, vacation, work, and other conflicts, ALL students must attend a minimum of 33 chapels each semester.
- Commuter Students - Follow the requirements in the chart below based on class schedule.
| |
Total Chapel Attendance Possible
|
Minimum Attendance Requirement |
| Scheduled Classes M-TH/F |
42 |
33 |
| Scheduled Classes T/TH* |
28 |
22 |
| Scheduled Classes M/W/F* |
14 |
11 |
| * PLEASE NOTE – All Commuter students with these class schedules MUST submit a Chapel Reduction Request Form as their total possible attendance will fall below the required 80% attendance. |
- Out of respect for speakers and for the LBC community, attendance for the full chapel service time is expected. Scanning and leaving shortly after will result in voided attendance.
- Academic chairs, coaches, and student leadership advisors will receive regular chapel attendance reports, and consistent chapel attendance is required for graduation.
Chapel Attendance Reduction and Exceptions
- If 80% chapel attendance is not possible due to class schedule or other reasons, a chapel reduction request form must be submitted within the first TWO weeks of the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring chapel attendance through their StarRez Portal.
- Graduate, JumpStart, and Part-time Students (<12 credits) are not required to attend chapel but are welcome and encouraged to do so as their schedules permit.
ID Cards
- In order for attendance to be counted, students must arrive prior to 9:15am and scan in with an LBC issued student ID Card. Students without an ID card will not be counted present for chapel.
Work and Internships
- It is expected that part-time work, internships, and practicums are scheduled around chapel.
- Student teachers will be fully exempt from chapel attendance and are not required to complete a chapel exception form.
Excessive Skipping and Chapel Sanctions
1 – 2 Excessive Skips Per Semester
- For each excessive chapel skip, a written chapel summary must be submitted by the last day of finals. Written summaries (250 words or more) must be submitted to the Student Affairs chapel coordinator.
- After the last day of chapel, a hold will be placed on the student’s account on any student who has not fulfilled their chapel requirement.
- Holds may prevent students from graduating, registering for classes or selecting housing in the following semester, and will not be removed until chapel sanctions are satisfied.
- Excessive skips may affect other co-curricular privileges.
3 + Excessive Skips Per Semester
- $150 fine
- For each excessive chapel skip, a written chapel summary must be submitted by the last day of finals. Written summaries (250 words or more) must be submitted to the Student Affairs chapel coordinator. Summaries must be written by the student, in line with academic requirements, and may not be AI generated.
- After the last day of chapel, a hold will be placed on the student’s account on any student who has not fulfilled their chapel requirement.
- Holds may prevent students from graduating, registering for classes or selecting housing in the following semester, and will not be removed until chapel sanctions are satisfied.
- Excessive skips may affect other co-curricular privileges.
Students who do not meet the chapel requirement for more than two semesters will be considered for additional conduct sanctions, under review of the Vice President of Traditional Undergraduate Education, which could include loss of athletic or fine arts privileges.