Comments on: Your Seminary Isn’t Responsible For Your Education

By: Heather Young

Heather Young — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:59:57 +0000

I agree with Pastor Olson and with Mark. My husband graduated from NOBTS this month and begins his MDiv at Southern in January. We will be paying for a theological education…. it’s our money and our time…. we expect to have to do the work that earns the degree, otherwise, well… you just didn’t earn it.

Secondly, in most American churches you’ll receive plenty of “application” type ministry and close to no “academic” or “theological” training or even discussions for that matter.

My husband has been on staff at a “seeker” church for about 5 years. We were very involved the 6 years before that as well.

Heather Young

By: Pastor Roger Olson

Pastor Roger Olson — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:50:49 +0000

Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh. Didn’t really intend it that way, but dear ones, time is short. I love being a pastor and my son has just been “called” into the pastorate. We need men and women who can stand against the wiles of the devil. Satan, on the other hand, HATES pastors. Thank all of you that have answered the call to attend seminary in preparation of living your lives in service to our Lord Jesus. I’ll pray for you. Please pray for me.
Roger Olson

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:33:34 +0000

Pastor Olson,

Appreciate your words of admonition. I don’t think it’s unfair to say that many younger generation pastors, since we and our peers HAVE been coddled our whole lives might be less prepared for the rigors of ministry (and life, for that matter).

Always good to have a reality check from the front lines. Thanks.

By: Pastor Roger Olson

Pastor Roger Olson — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:07:56 +0000

I am a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary and a current DMin student of the same SCHOOL! Remember men, seminary is a school. One of the sad things I have found is when young men enter into seminary totally unprepared to do so by their respective churches. I believe there haas been far too much “coddling” of the saints in ministry and it’s reflected in these very comments found here.
I remember one day when there was a couple hundred of us sitting in class waiting for it to begin. Most of us had the syllabus in our laps grumbling about the amount of work that was required of us in this particular class. Prof walks in and hears all this racket! He quickly straightened many of us out with these simple words, “Men and women, those of you who are about to enter into ministry for the Lord around this world. This time at seminary will be the easiest time you have in all that you will do in ministry. Be absolutely sure that it is the Lord who wants you here!”
After that, we never whined about or disrespected the training we were receiving for carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost world we live in.
I served as a Marine during the VietNam war and that was a piece of cake compared to what serving the church that Christ died for has been.
It’s graduate school boys and girls. And more than that, it’s for the Lord!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:12:26 +0000

Thanks Andy. I appreciate the comment.

I find often that those who come to seminary later in life often have clearer big-picture perspective and better life management skills than those coming to seminary straight out of college or who are starting families. You confirm that trend for me.

By: AndyC

AndyC — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:37:09 +0000

I like the way you laid this out. I am in my first year at Dallas Theological Seminary, and I can see both the focus you detail as to how the seminary approaches educating students as well as the student complaints.

I have the benefit of a lengthier career behind me (and the detriment of less runway in front of me!) than the average seminary student so I am very focused on making the most of my time in my studies.

I view my seminary education as an adjunct to my ministry, which I believe is going to draw upon my 30 year business career. I am already involved in other ministries lending them my financial expertise as a way to help minister to those who are ministering to others. I am trying to network within the local business community as a see myself as someone who can bridge business (I am fluent in that language) and ministry (I am conversant in that language) and seminary (I am learning to speak that language).

I urge my fellow seminarians everywhere not to bury themselves just in seminary but to explore and experience ministry while they are still in an academic environment. A business degree does not necessarily get you ready to function in the day to day world of business, I know that from experience.

I do not expect it to be any different in seminary. Education may be a great foundation to practical application, but it is education, not experience.