advice for a non-grad

[Tzuriel]

Hey all,

I live in Houston and attend a baptist church, don't have a college degree, and badly want to go to go to seminary but of course, the really good ones don't accept people w/o degrees. Churches and online courses that cover the basics or in-depth books just don't cut it for me and I want more. I need more.

I guess I found things out late, I'm close to 40 (I've already heard the old jokes and the it's too late jokes, whether true or not ... ) and hoping to get advice on what I can possibly do or others that might have done something similar.

Any help, suggestions, advice much appreciated.

 

[LaxItUp]

I'd check out the website at liberty.edu. It has a pretty good seminary and if you talk with online admissions people, they may be able to help.

 

[ChildOfGod20]

you could always get a bachelors degree in biblical studies or theology

 

[fuzzyh]

Do you have any college credits? Also how long have you been a Christian and what do you feel is your spiritual maturity? I can make a number of recommendations, because I understand your position. I have been looking at seminaries and schooling for sometime and looked over many options. My strongest recommendation would be to go study something and get a Bachelor's degree. This can be done online through many schools. Almost any major will have great applications in seminary. I've learned that M.Div or Th.M. really can be benefitted from lots of other degrees, in psych, theology, literature, philosophy, biology, chemistry, computer science, nursing, education and law. Every major will bring aspects to the learning that will be used as you study.

I'm currently on staff at a church. In community college I took classes in Business, computer science, art history and many others. I later went to a Bible college and received a degree in Biblical Studies. However, I understand business well enough to understand productivity here at the church. My computer science classes have helped while I'm taking care of the churches computers and servers. I'm actually glad that I kept my art history book. Since the Da Vinci code has come out, I receive lots of questions about this. I have been able to look up the paintings mentioned in my book and check them out.

Back to the first though, you could look to Southern Evangelical Seminary in which you can get a Certificate of Completion in some programs. This is the same course work as a M.A. or M.Div, but without the Bachelor's Degree. It can be upgraded as well. This program can be completed from your house.

Another option, that I recently found was Trinity School of Apologetics and Theology. I'm not certain as to all the accreditation issues with that school. It is based out of India. You can start there with one of the programs that is seminary level education. It's the Masters of Biblical Subjects. I'm not certain what the requirements are.

 

[Bubba1301]

Another thing to look into is if the seminaries have a program or policy that they accept some # of non-college graduate people. I know a minishter who that is exactly his story. He didn't have a college degree, but God directed him to seminary. The seminary that he attended accepted a small # of non-college students and he was one of them. Now he's the associate pastor of a decently large church. My suggestion is pray about it and seek information on the exception policies for admission to various seminaries.

 

[arunma]

Hey all,

I live in Houston and attend a baptist church, don't have a college degree, and badly want to go to go to seminary but of course, the really good ones don't accept people w/o degrees. Churches and online courses that cover the basics or in-depth books just don't cut it for me and I want more. I need more.

I guess I found things out late, I'm close to 40 (I've already heard the old jokes and the it's too late jokes, whether true or not ... ) and hoping to get advice on what I can possibly do or others that might have done something similar.

Any help, suggestions, advice much appreciated.

I wouldn't feel right giving "advice," per se, to someone twice my age. But I do have a suggestion. If I were planning on going to seminary, I'd probably get my bachelor's degree in Greek. I'm trying to learn Koine Greek right now, because it is an extremely powerful tool in reading the New Testament, as well as the Greek Septuagint (which is the Old Testament translation that the Apostles used and quoted in the Gospels and epistles).

However, it's also rather difficult to learn from books, since there are some classroom experiences that simply can't be duplicated elsewhere. Before I went to college, I used to study physics books on my own (I'm a fourth year physics major right now). While I learned quite a bit, I think that I've learned far more physics from going to class, doing lab research, and other such things.

If you need to go through college in order to go to seminary, I personally think that learning the Greek language along the way would be an invaluable asset.

 

[Doubledb]

Im in semniary right now and i can tell you that from what ive seen you do have to have an undergraduate degree but not necessarily in religion or bilical studies - some peopel have business, ect - you might have to take a few more courses but its not too many more.

I also know that many people get a bachelor of arts in religion in their undergrad and do not go to seminary, however, i do have to tell you that seminary is graduate level, which means YOU MUST have a undergaduate degree.

Also, dont feel too bad about starting at 40 - there were people in my undergrad and even in graduate school that are older - i think most people repsect you for following through even though you are older - for those who make fun - who cares - if your following God then just ingore their immaturity.

God bless,
and when you go to Seminary i suggest two:
(1) Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons univeristy in Abilene, Texas

or

(2) Truett Seminary at Baylor university in Waco, Texas.

I of course, am at Logsdon but Truett was my second choice.

I also went to East Texas baptist university in Marshall Texas for my undergrad.

here are the websites:
http://www.hsutx.edu/main.php
http://www.hsutx.edu/academics/logsdonseminary/

http://www.baylor.edu/
http://www.baylor.edu/truett/splash.php

http://www.etbu.edu/default.htm

Your Brother in Christ,
Doubledb

 

[Blank123]

I'm actually going for a bachelor's in theology before heading off to seminary in a few years (God willing). That may be a route you'd want to take as well. It would certainly help to prepare you for the classes you'de be taking in seminary.

regardless of what direction you decide to go, if God has called you to study at seminary then you can be confident that He will open the doors for you to be able to go

 

[spinningwheelgirl]

I know that the Seminary at the school I attend does accept some people who are over a certian age (I think it is 35) and with a certain years in ministry who do not have an undergraduate degree. When you are looking into seminaries ask them if they have any speical admissions policies for mature students.

 

[spinningwheelgirl]

Oh one more thing the school I got to also offers a modular undergraduate degree to mature students who can transfer (I think it is one year of credits) into the dregree. You can ask around a Bible colleges to see if they have any options like this.