I have been to College before for computer science but dropped out due to the fact that I really dislike school. I recently returned to school for a bachelors in Christian mininstry however I left the school due to the broadness of the degree and lack of actually ministry focused classes. I have been in "training" for lack of a better word for the past 2 years to become a pastor, I work closely with the deacons and my pastor to gain all the knowledge and understanding I can in what the office of Pastor takes. I know everyone feels im ready to and the church will probably hold a Ordination service soon. My problem now is school or no school. the area I live in is a rural area with many small churches in the middle of the bible belt, so a masters or doctorate would honestly be a little extreme for the area. I know its is not required to go to school and honestly I cant deiced if i should go back or just keep growing in church and keep growing in the bible. Any constructive advice or insight would be appreciated.
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need advice on college
- Thread starter Rev55
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I go to liberty university online. I would recommend going there, they are baptist and I don't know what you are, but they have a great BA program and Masters. I have grown more in one semester there then all my time in church. I am called and this is the path God lead me. I was like you and did not see the reason for it until I took the classes, now I see God is preparing me.
Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a 3 year ministry, how much more so should we prepare If are king spent that long. I suspect you don't like school because your not doing what you love. I have had a lot of schooling, when i was younger I did not make good grades but studied 12 hours a day 5 days a week. Later in my life i made good grades but could not get a 4.0 I was majoring in Human Services and got my degree. This is my first semester in ministry and guess what I have my 4.0, so what changed. I am doing what i love and what I was meant to do with the blessing and guidance from God. I work my butt off at times and I love it. I get so much satisfaction even though I may be tired that my life has meaning a purpose and is not wasted. So no matter how hard i work I am happy because I know I am running to God and He is flying to me. I know what I learn will go on in the next life with Him, and the knowledge i gain is true wisdom from God.
I recommend school because ministry is hard and you need all the preparation you can get. Those in minstry are held to a higher standard. Do not take it lightly.
Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a 3 year ministry, how much more so should we prepare If are king spent that long. I suspect you don't like school because your not doing what you love. I have had a lot of schooling, when i was younger I did not make good grades but studied 12 hours a day 5 days a week. Later in my life i made good grades but could not get a 4.0 I was majoring in Human Services and got my degree. This is my first semester in ministry and guess what I have my 4.0, so what changed. I am doing what i love and what I was meant to do with the blessing and guidance from God. I work my butt off at times and I love it. I get so much satisfaction even though I may be tired that my life has meaning a purpose and is not wasted. So no matter how hard i work I am happy because I know I am running to God and He is flying to me. I know what I learn will go on in the next life with Him, and the knowledge i gain is true wisdom from God.
I recommend school because ministry is hard and you need all the preparation you can get. Those in minstry are held to a higher standard. Do not take it lightly.
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OzSpen
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Even though I'm an Aussie, I have a BA in biblical literature & NT Greek in the USA from the regionally accredited Northwest College that is now part of Northwest University, Kirkland WA (greater Seattle area). It equipped me in exegesis, NT Greek, theology, and marriage and family therapy for my ministry. I needed this kind of equipping for my ministry.
However, for me, I found the classroom situation in the early days (bachelor's degree) to be more conducive for growing in Christ than doing it online alone. Now I'm working on my PhD in an online arrangement.
In Christ,
Oz
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I am Baptist so a Baptist school would be ideal. I have to do online classes because I have a wife and child so I need to work while going to school. I have been researching schools lately and haven't found one I like yet. My main reason for going back would be more for the training in aspects that I can't learn in church like counciling, because who is going to let me sit in on thier marriage counciling seasons to learn in the real world.
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USCGrad90
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My son is in HS and desires to go into the Ministry. He has questioned the need for school and even college and we reminded him that there are things and perspectives learned from college that you may not gain under your own interpretation or with local support. A local pastor may be limited in his available time to focus on teaching versus performing his pastoral duties.
I also believe that fundamental to good counseling is a strong theological basis and understanding of how to apply Biblical teachings. College may seem to offer a broad range of studies, but I think that a Pastor has a broad range of responsibilities - which some pastors miss because of focus on specific areas. Our pastor is good at preaching, teaching, counseling, and is a an effective leader of our church. I think we were blessed to have him because he was good at so many things and not just focused in one or a few areas. I have met many pastors who were only good at preaching or counseling and sometimes failed to serve the needs of the church. Don't underestimate the need of your community for a learned and well rounded pastor - no matter how small.
Not sure what part of the country you are in, but the SBC has a list of Baptist colleges across the US. These schools may have some distance learning programs (like Liberty) where you can get what you need and there may even be one nearby you get get night or weekend classes. Maybe a good place to start.
Southern Baptist Convention - Colleges and Universities
I also believe that fundamental to good counseling is a strong theological basis and understanding of how to apply Biblical teachings. College may seem to offer a broad range of studies, but I think that a Pastor has a broad range of responsibilities - which some pastors miss because of focus on specific areas. Our pastor is good at preaching, teaching, counseling, and is a an effective leader of our church. I think we were blessed to have him because he was good at so many things and not just focused in one or a few areas. I have met many pastors who were only good at preaching or counseling and sometimes failed to serve the needs of the church. Don't underestimate the need of your community for a learned and well rounded pastor - no matter how small.
Not sure what part of the country you are in, but the SBC has a list of Baptist colleges across the US. These schools may have some distance learning programs (like Liberty) where you can get what you need and there may even be one nearby you get get night or weekend classes. Maybe a good place to start.
Southern Baptist Convention - Colleges and Universities
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I do agree with everything that has been said because I can preach however that is only one part of the role of a pastor and as I've been told and seen its the easy part. I honestly think I need school only for the other aspects of being a pastor and if it improves my preaching/teaching then that's just a bonus 
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OzSpen
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You have an assumption about counsellor training that did not apply in my training and does not apply in the real world. Sitting in on another's counselling is not how I obtained experience in my BA and other training. I have recently retired after 17 years full-time as a counsellor and counselling manager. What you are assuming in your statement here is not what happens either in my USA training and experience or here in Australia.
To be honest, if you want counsellor training by distance education, I think you are wasting your time - apart from obtaining understanding of various theories of counselling.
Oz
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I don't assume that its the best or even a valid way to learn to council It is just how I've learned other skills.
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i should have added this is counciling as a pastor not in a professional capacity just as part of the role as pastor
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OzSpen
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The correct spelling in your part of the world is counseling and not counciling. In my country, the local Council provides infrastructure of water, drainage, and sewerage. The elected members of the Council are councillors (Aussie spelling).
Oz
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Hi Rev55, I also go to Liberty and highly recommend it. I will be honest, though; some classes seem to just be boxes to check. However, there are others that have been a great benefit, such as theology and most Bible courses. Most classes are 8 weeks long and pass by very quickly. Like Bluelion said, there are degrees that are specific to counseling, whether as a minor or as a major. I have about a year left until I get my Bachelors and am very eager to begin the Masters program as those classes look to be more engaging. I was going to put a link to their website but rules will not allow me to, but go to the Liberty University Website and click on the Online page. Then click the Academic Program tab and it will take you to where you can see the various degrees they offer. Also notice on the left the three boxes; the first show the degrees and the second lists features, two of which are course guides and degree completion plans. Those will give you a description of the classes you will find under your degree of interest. One last thing...the advisors at Liberty have to be among the best and will help you in every step along the way. Anyways, my experience with Liberty is very good and I would encourage you to take a look at them. Overall, my advice is to certainly pursue your education (wherever that may be) as it will help you sharpen the gifts God has already given you.
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sorry for the spelling ive never been any good at it. My basic point wasn't over that and the topic has kinda went away from the question of school Vs. no school.
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Well I have begun looking again at Grand Canyon University given some of the insight you all have had it may be my best choice to return to school there. Anyone here take courses with them and have any feed back?
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Hi fellow Liberty brother
i'll post the link for you. Liberty University Christian College Education
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I have looked at them they are suppose to be a good school, but I can only speak to the school I attend as i have experience with them. Liberty is the largest Christian baptist college in the world it has some thing like close to 100,000 students, they even have a great theater department which did work with Kirk Cameron. I wish I could do that program to. i might after my masters.
If you asking me what is the best school I say Liberty of course, but I am bais.
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Well I'm working on getting back to Grand Canyon University. I wasn't going to be able to because I owed several hundred dollars to them but I was just talking to a friend at church and he brought up school and told me he wanted to pay to get me back in school. So he paid my debt off so I can go back. Looks like my start date is January 20th
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