Faith Nurture, Leadership Development
Why Go to Seminary? Hoop, Hurdle, or Vital Necessity?
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It's the time of year when students are still deciding whether to do a last-minute application for seminary. They wonder about finances. They wonder, “Is God really calling me?” They may be deeply involved in church life and even have their own fruitful ministry and wonder whether seminary is “worth it.” Isn’t seminary education just a hoop or hurdle to overcome?
In May at commencement and in June at the synod of the Christian Reformed Church, I had the honor of standing before students who went to seminary and completed that journey. What did they gain?
I keep a growing list of why seminary education is more than just helpful — it is vital for church leaders and the church. Here are three of my top reasons for attending seminary:
Some of you who read this blog will want to add your own suggestions to this list. How about leaving a comment below or emailing me at [email protected] and adding communal wisdom to the ongoing question: What good is a seminary education? I would greatly appreciate your input. I only scratched the surface, but I hope you know I think seminary helps for the long-haul of ministry — no matter the field of ministry.
What I tell students, again and again, is that one of our seminary goals is not just for them to “survive” in ministry. Our desire is to help them “thrive” in ministry and part of that thriving comes from running the race with the aid that the breadth and depth that seminary education does provide — year in and year out!
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Before seminary I was doing ministry in a non-denominational, organic, young and hip group with zero budget and no ties to a building. I was living the dream that a lot of anti-seminary, anti-denominational, anti-institutional seminarians and pastors think they want. And there were some great things about it - but it wasn't nearly the dream that people like to think. I was so thankful when God called me to attend CTS! I came in with the attitude of wanting to get to know God better and understand His community of children - the Church. I was seeking for a greater filling with Christ, and I found that. The time I spent in seminary were some of the best years of my life, digging deeper into my relationships with God and with His Church everyday. I got to sit at the feet of people, past and present, who have been recognized as deeply knowledgeable, passionate, and wise about God. Yes, there is an academic structure and rigor to it all, but every relationship comes to a point where it takes an organized and intentional effort to grow. When I hear someone talk down about the importance of a seminary education I end up wondering how serious they really are developing their relationship with Jesus.
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