Comments on: Avoid the “Seminary Church” http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/2008/07/17/avoid-the-seminary-church/ practical wisdom to help seminary students avoid burnout and finish well Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:23:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Nathan http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/2008/07/17/avoid-the-seminary-church/comment-page-1/#comment-206 Nathan Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:15:20 +0000 http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/?p=224#comment-206 I whole-heartedly agree with most of the suggestions on looking for a church. I think, however, that not being picky, yet looking for a good pastor as well as finding a church quickly are all contradictory. My advice would be ask around A LOT to find a good pastor, who is somewhat undiscovered by seminarians. If you are not serving as pastor, it is imperative that you get a pastor who is a humble man of God and who is willing to spend some time with you personally. This TAKES TIME. And it requires you to be picky. I would say that above all else, a solid pastor is most important. Even if the church is a 'project' church that has little to offer you and needs a lot of help, but has a great pastor is worth you going there the whole time you're in seminary. Don't be like me and get burned by all three pastors that you worked under (paid and volunteer). I did not take time to get to know those men and I regret it now. I whole-heartedly agree with most of the suggestions on looking for a church. I think, however, that not being picky, yet looking for a good pastor as well as finding a church quickly are all contradictory.

My advice would be ask around A LOT to find a good pastor, who is somewhat undiscovered by seminarians. If you are not serving as pastor, it is imperative that you get a pastor who is a humble man of God and who is willing to spend some time with you personally. This TAKES TIME. And it requires you to be picky.

I would say that above all else, a solid pastor is most important. Even if the church is a ‘project’ church that has little to offer you and needs a lot of help, but has a great pastor is worth you going there the whole time you’re in seminary. Don’t be like me and get burned by all three pastors that you worked under (paid and volunteer). I did not take time to get to know those men and I regret it now.

]]> By: Jason http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/2008/07/17/avoid-the-seminary-church/comment-page-1/#comment-205 Jason Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:06:32 +0000 http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/?p=224#comment-205 I hope this post is read by everyone who is either attending seminary or preparing to go. I spent 4 years in a small church five minutes from the seminary I graduated from and I can think of no better ministry preparation. My wife and I looked around and went to several "seminary churches" and did not feel a peace about being there. For the next 4 years we served with three other seminary couples learning from laypeople and discipling believers as best we could. I agree with your harsh words for the "seminary church" and I wish that the seminary leadership would do more to encourage students to find somewhere to serve and practice what we are being taught. I hope this post is read by everyone who is either attending seminary or preparing to go. I spent 4 years in a small church five minutes from the seminary I graduated from and I can think of no better ministry preparation. My wife and I looked around and went to several “seminary churches” and did not feel a peace about being there. For the next 4 years we served with three other seminary couples learning from laypeople and discipling believers as best we could. I agree with your harsh words for the “seminary church” and I wish that the seminary leadership would do more to encourage students to find somewhere to serve and practice what we are being taught.

]]> By: Rachel http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/2008/07/17/avoid-the-seminary-church/comment-page-1/#comment-202 Rachel Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:15:48 +0000 http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/?p=224#comment-202 Wonderful post! I've had many friends who I've attended seminary with that would church hop each week and never find a place to join--the entire 2-3 years they are working on their degree. And while seminary students can serve at large churches, rather than being a place of service, those "seminary churches" tend to be places where students can blend in and not take on ministry responsbilities. All believers, especially those called to ministry, need to be sure to be thoroughly plugged in to a local body of Christ. Wonderful post! I’ve had many friends who I’ve attended seminary with that would church hop each week and never find a place to join–the entire 2-3 years they are working on their degree. And while seminary students can serve at large churches, rather than being a place of service, those “seminary churches” tend to be places where students can blend in and not take on ministry responsbilities.

All believers, especially those called to ministry, need to be sure to be thoroughly plugged in to a local body of Christ.

]]> By: Mark http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/2008/07/17/avoid-the-seminary-church/comment-page-1/#comment-201 Mark Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:02:46 +0000 http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/?p=224#comment-201 I appreciate your feedback...and I would not suggest that you leave your church. You're clearly plugged in and serving, which was my main point--and having been there six years, you're clearly not hopping around. If you've prayed about it and God has led you to that fellowship (as opposed to going there because it's the path of least resistance, which I have seen...), then I commend you. I served at a large church during seminary, although it was about a 25 minute drive, and there were only a few seminarians there. If I knew you better, however, I might probe just a bit further: Is this level of service challenging enough for you? Are your places of service preparing you for the ministry you're preparing for? Are you being stretched? What are you learning as you serve? Could someone who is not preparing for ministry serve in these capacities just as well as you are? The level of need tends to increase when you look at churches that are smaller or farther from campus. I just think the opportunities in those places are too often overlooked. I appreciate your feedback…and I would not suggest that you leave your church. You’re clearly plugged in and serving, which was my main point–and having been there six years, you’re clearly not hopping around. If you’ve prayed about it and God has led you to that fellowship (as opposed to going there because it’s the path of least resistance, which I have seen…), then I commend you. I served at a large church during seminary, although it was about a 25 minute drive, and there were only a few seminarians there.

If I knew you better, however, I might probe just a bit further:

Is this level of service challenging enough for you?
Are your places of service preparing you for the ministry you’re preparing for?
Are you being stretched?
What are you learning as you serve?
Could someone who is not preparing for ministry serve in these capacities just as well as you are?

The level of need tends to increase when you look at churches that are smaller or farther from campus. I just think the opportunities in those places are too often overlooked.

]]> By: tlange http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/2008/07/17/avoid-the-seminary-church/comment-page-1/#comment-200 tlange Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:07:24 +0000 http://seminarysurvivalguide.com/?p=224#comment-200 I am at what would be considered a "seminary church". There is a false assumption that because our church is considered a large church that there is no room for people to serve. There is plenty of room for others to serve! Personally, I have been here for 6 years and see no reason to leave. I think that there are definite advantages of being in a "seminary church". As for me, I stay busy with the following responsibilities: - ABF assistant teacher - Nursery worker- 2 yr olds - Usher (every other month in PM service, fill in as needed) - Chairman of Missions Committee - AV (Powerpoint operator) - anything else that needs to be done... I am at what would be considered a “seminary church”. There is a false assumption that because our church is considered a large church that there is no room for people to serve. There is plenty of room for others to serve!

Personally, I have been here for 6 years and see no reason to leave. I think that there are definite advantages of being in a “seminary church”.

As for me, I stay busy with the following responsibilities:

- ABF assistant teacher
- Nursery worker- 2 yr olds
- Usher (every other month in PM service, fill in as needed)
- Chairman of Missions Committee
- AV (Powerpoint operator)
- anything else that needs to be done…

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