Institute in Basic Life Principles
Encyclopedia
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, and the Institute claimed assets of $63-million on its year 2000 federal tax forms.
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.
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.
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
.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
organization in Oak Brook, Illinois
Oak Brook, Illinois
Oak Brook is a village in DuPage and Cook Counties, in Illinois. The population was 8,702 at the 2000 census. A suburb of Chicago, it is the headquarters of McDonald's and Lions Clubs International.-History:...
that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministries. IBLP was established by Bill Gothard
Bill Gothard
William W. Gothard is an American Christian minister, speaker and writer, and the founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles , notable for his ultraconservative teachings...
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, and the Institute claimed assets of $63-million on its year 2000 federal tax forms.
History
After 15 years of working with inner-city gangs, church youth groups, high school clubs, youth camps, and families in crisis, Bill GothardBill Gothard
William W. Gothard is an American Christian minister, speaker and writer, and the founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles , notable for his ultraconservative teachings...
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.
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.
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
Sam Johnson
Samuel Robert "Sam" Johnson is an American politician and a retired career U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot. He currently is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 3rd District of Texas...
.
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 "Basic Life Principles": Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success. These are designed to help the individual to "view all of life from God's perspective." Basic Seminar "alumni" 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 and typically includes crafts, skits, songs, and small and large group activities.
- 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."
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.
- "The Institute in Basic Life Principles Refresh", a site dedicated to critically examining and breaking down the influence of the Institute.