How vital is seminary?

[Kol]

I'm entering my third year of Bible college now, and I've come to the stark realization that I may never have the money to attend seminary. At first I thought to get a degree in business or education, then work for the money to earn my MDIV, but for so many reasons, this just isn't working for me. So let me ask, how important is attending seminary? Is a bachelor's in pastoral ministries worth anything at all?

 

[Irrkunst]

Most denominations require the MDiv to be ordained.

 

[spidergains]

The Apostles Peter and Paul were pondering the very same subject when they were preaching the Gospel while filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:17" 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn." John Wesley

Seminaries are often cemeteries for the soul. Behold the fig tree; summer is near.

 

[Irrkunst]

That is a lot of cut and paste but it doesn't answer the question very well.

 

[herev]

I was in ministry before seminary and during seminary and now for years after. From my perspective, it is VITAL.
doesn't mean you CAN'T do it without, but it is of great help.
From my experience (and that's all I have), I would do whatever it took to get my M.Div.

 

[herev]

Amazing the way those who go to seminary, work hard to get a degree that covers multiple disciplines, and people (as evidenced above) will hold them in disdain without even knowing them.
hmm

 

[mnphysicist]

I've worked with a ton of pastors over the years.... Those without a MDiv often are in a world of hurt for a while, it would be not unlike someone throwing the keys to a semi truck, and telling you to go learn how to drive it. In time, most will get it figured out, but at what cost.... how many get injured along the way, how many times do you yourself get injured? Granted, if you are working under a talented and educationally gifted senior pastor for a few years, such mentoring can help.... but one talented guy with divided attention, is far different than a group of professors whose focus is your education and preparation.

Also, lets say it takes you 10 years to save up enough for seminary.... its not like you couldnt be in some part time ministry during that time, plus you would be building invaluable life experience working in the world.

 

[Irrkunst]

Amazing the way those who go to seminary, work hard to get a degree that covers multiple disciplines, and people (as evidenced above) will hold them in disdain without even knowing them.
hmm

There is a lot of anti-intellectualism on this site.

 

[PastorJosh]

There are really two different questions in this post I think.

The first is "Can I get a job without going to seminary?" The answer to this question must surely be "Yes." Not only have I done it personally but there are thousands of other ministers who have gone into full-time Christian ministry without a seminary education.

The second is "How vital is a seminary education to my future success in ministry?" Personally, while I have not attended seminary, I desperately wish I had. I did go to Bible College and graduated well. However, I believe that no amount of education is ever 'too much.'

The idea that 'seminaries are just cemeteries' is ludicrous and the post should be scratched for containing no logic and reasoning or indeed anything positive at all.

 

[WOMSteve]

Seminary will not make a great "pastor". A pastor is made by God's calling. Although the word "pastor" isn't necessarily biblical it means to most someone who is a shepherd over a body of people and minister to them in teaching and in serving their other needs. There are pastors out there because of their degree who are in this position yet not qualified.

Seminary will prepare and teach the unadultered Word, depending on where you go. Seminary will help you improve your preaching skills probably. IF you're called before seminary it will just help you be more prepared for things like counseling, marrital issues, organization and theology. If you can go I would do it. I'm at a point I can't do it and wish I could.

One last thing. I know of several who have attended seminary and it was a hindrance. Don't lose the desire to witness weekly/daily when you're there. It can be all about the teaching and not about the application. In the bible none of the disciples went to seminary rather hit the streets and shared the Gospel. The church is really for the believers. Soul-winning was mainly done outside the church in biblical times. Remember that. Witnessing, reading the Word of God, tithing, etc. are not gifts of the Spirit. They're acts of obedience or disobedience depending on our response. Don't let seminary take away from any of those and you will be fine. God Bless and stay on fire.

 

[WOMSteve]

I actually forgot to answer your question. Seminary is worth something if you go to a true biblical seminary. Some are very liberal these days. It will probably help you get a job better. However, God will send you where He needs you with or without it. If the door is open go for it. If not don't. God will provide. Don't do it just to find a job. The harvest is great but the laborers are few. You can go to work right now and God will provide. I'm living proof. God Bless.

 

[Johnnz]

The better the training the higher the likelihood of an intelligent, informed exegesis. Far too much preaching and teaching is badly astray through poor undertsanding of the biblical texts. You see so many stressed, anxious, guilt prone Christians on the forum who are like that because of really bad teaching.

John
NZ

 

[J Rock]

Education is always beneficial, the piece of paper gets you through many doors, but can never replace a true call of God. If God can speak through Balaam's ass then I figure that he can will use any of us uneducated fools as well.

 

[Man4Christ]

Education is always beneficial, the piece of paper gets you through many doors, but can never replace a true call of God. If God can speak through Balaam's ass then I figure that he can will use any of us uneducated fools as well.

I'd like to 2nd this statement. In fact, without the Holy Spirit guiding you, an education will only provide you 'the law'. Regurgitating 'the law' without the Spirit is basically what happened throughout the old testament before Jesus died on the cross.

 

[jpr7]

I'm entering my third year of Bible college now, and I've come to the stark realization that I may never have the money to attend seminary. At first I thought to get a degree in business or education, then work for the money to earn my MDIV, but for so many reasons, this just isn't working for me. So let me ask, how important is attending seminary? Is a bachelor's in pastoral ministries worth anything at all?

God can take what you have an bless it so it extends beyond you. That said, I wouldn't say seminary is "vital" but depending on what you take at seminary it could help you develop some study disciplines that you might not develop without seminary. Seminary isn't for everybody. But I encourage you as you go through Bible college - and even in seminary if you ever are able to go - to look at these not as academic but as spiritual. If you keep God in mind as you progress through these things, you will find that academics in regard to the Bible and ministry is a spiritual exercise.

 

[jpr7]

Education is always beneficial, the piece of paper gets you through many doors, but can never replace a true call of God. If God can speak through Balaam's ass then I figure that he can will use any of us uneducated fools as well.

What would you consider "a true call of God"?

 

[LinkH]

Some denominations require seminary degrees. Others do not.

Knowledge is valuable. I'm not going to knock education. On the other hand, it is important to notice that the Bible does NOT teach that a seminary degree is necessary to minister in the church. In fact, the way training ministers is done is quite different from what the bible teaches. The apostles trained evangelistic co-workers through an apprenticeship type method, and apparently didn't charge them. They appointed elders from within the local churches as well, from among the congregation. They didn't call young newly educated men in from the Jerusalem seminary to take the role of 'pastor.'

 

[Craig_Portwood]

Did the Prophets attend seminary? Did Christ attend seminary?

The questions it seems are these: What are you hoping to do? Why do you feel led to minister? Is there something which can be learned in seminary which cannot be learned by Bible study, prayer and fasting?

You seek an answer. If you can answer these, your answer will find you.

 

[childofGod1]

Some denominations require seminary degrees. Others do not.

Knowledge is valuable. I'm not going to knock education. On the other hand, it is important to notice that the Bible does NOT teach that a seminary degree is necessary to minister in the church. In fact, the way training ministers is done is quite different from what the bible teaches. The apostles trained evangelistic co-workers through an apprenticeship type method, and apparently didn't charge them. They appointed elders from within the local churches as well, from among the congregation. They didn't call young newly educated men in from the Jerusalem seminary to take the role of 'pastor.'

The Apostles spent three years with Christ, getting the best seminary education possible. The purpose of seminary is to duplicate that education as much as possible. More mature Christians teach newer Christians, and generally there is some sort of ministry work that goes with it, which is the way it's always been done. It's vitally important that those we trust to lead a church are teaching the truth, and not error.

Titus 1
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

 

[Future Preacher]

A.W. Tozer didn't have Bible College or Seminary, and look how God used him! I've had pastors who don't have either and yet God still uses them. Yes, I believe education can help the minister be more prepared for the ministry, however, I don't believe it's vital. God will use anyone He chooses. As a matter of fact, look at the 12 disciples. They were fishermen and tax collectors. God will use whoever He wants! It's a shame so many churches put such a huge emphasis on the education of their minister rather than the passion they have to serve the Lord. Who's the best teacher other than the Holy Spirit?