Schooling?

[StogusMaximus]

What schooling did you take to become a minister?

What are the educational requirements?

What do you recommend?

 

[mo5quito]

yeah, I'm having the same question. I know that I'm supposed to be working in a church after college (I'm a junior) but I'm not sure in what area of the church I'm supposed to go. So, I've been looking at Seminaries online (even though I have 2 years of school left) just so I can get a head start on things. Two Evangelical ones that have been recommended to me and I am VERY interested in are Trinity International University and Moody Bible Institute's Grad School. What do you think?

Oh, sorry Stogus... didn't mean to hijack your thread

God Bless,
Ben

 

[stryder144]

What schooling that is required varies by denomination. Some don't require any thing more than two years of study while other require an M.Div. It is best to start your search by going to your pastor and asking him/her.

As for evangelical grad schools: Moody and Trinity are good. So is Dallas, Gordon-Conwell, and Fuller. Denver is good, too. You should find out what each seminaries strong point is (some are great preaching schools, others are great missions schools, etc), then decide, prayerfully, which one to go to.

Once I finish my bachelors and retire from the military, I am thinking about going to the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Of course, there are several others that I would love to study at. It is just going to take a lot of prayer.

 

[filosofer]

I graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod), receiving a Master of Divinity degree (four years - the third year as an intern pastor), and an STM (Master of Sacred Theology) degree in Exegetical theology. The Master of Divinity is minimum requirement to be a Lutheran pastor.

Requirements to begin:

1. Bachelor's degree

2. At least one year of Greek and one year of Hebrew

3. Courses in Old Testament and New Testament (could be tested out - not an easy test)

4. Course in Doctrinal Theology (could be tested out - again, not an easy test)

You could be admitted without completing #2-4; you would just have to take extra classes to catch up, and none of those classes would be counted as credit to toward fulfilling the Master of Divinity degree.

------

Overall, superb school, conservative theologically, obviously Lutheran, and many solid scholars.

-----
Other seminaries that are top-notch:

Trinity Evangelical, Deerfield, IL

Gordon Conwell, MA

Denver Conservative, Denver, CO

Westminster (west coast, San Diego, I believe)

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For more information check out the Bible Colleges and Seminaries listed at Christianity Today web site.

If you are interested in long-distance learning, consider Trinity Bible College and Seminary in Newburgh, IN.

 

[Ioustinos]

This fall I will be attending Liberty University to begin my path to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. I would love to go to the Master's Seminary eventually or Dallas Theological Seminary. But for know I must stick to the basics. I have really found a great interest in expostitory preaching




Jesaiah

 

[cjoshuav]

I would never serve in a church or organization where the clergy did not have M.Div.'s or equivalent. The Master of Divinity is 90 semester hours of graduate level professional training beyond the bachelors degree, and is the standard degree for professional clergy. It is a requirement for institutional chaplains who want to serve in the state or federal governments.

For mainstream future ministers in the Southeast, Duke, Emory, Mercer, Wake Forest and Columbia are all excellent options. Episcopalians may want to check out the University of the South.

Joshua

 

[MizDoulos]

This fall I will be attending Liberty University to begin my path to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. I would love to go to the Master's Seminary eventually or Dallas Theological Seminary. But for know I must stick to the basics. I have really found a great interest in expostitory preaching

You've picked two of the best seminaries to attend, IMO. If you're talking about the Master's College headed by John Mac Arthur, Jr., you've picked a superb seminary! Pastor John is one of the best expositors today. Dallas Theological is also excellent.

My best to you!

 

[Ioustinos]

Originally posted by MizDoulos
This fall I will be attending Liberty University to begin my path to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. I would love to go to the Master's Seminary eventually or Dallas Theological Seminary. But for know I must stick to the basics. I have really found a great interest in expostitory preaching

You've picked two of the best seminaries to attend, IMO. If you're talking about the Master's College headed by John Mac Arthur, Jr., you've picked a superb seminary! Pastor John is one of the best expositors today. Dallas Theological is also excellent.

My best to you!

Hi MizDoulos!


Yes I am talking about John MacArthur's The Master's Seminary. It was the book Rediscovering Expository Preaching ,which was written by John and some of the teachers at the Master's Seminary, that got me interested in expository preaching



Jesaiah

 

[MizDoulos]

Yes I am talking about John MacArthur's The Master's Seminary. It was the book Rediscovering Expository Preaching ,which was written by John and some of the teachers at the Master's Seminary, that got me interested in expository preaching

Hi, Jesaiah!

I haven't read John's book, "Rediscovering Expository Preaching" yet, but I'm sure it is an excellent one. All his books are great! If you haven't visited his church yet, it is Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA, in the San Fernando Valley just north of LA. I have to say that the 16+ years we had the privilege of sitting under his teaching, he (along with Spurgeon and other Reformers) has been the most influential in my Christian life. John is a master at expository teaching! You won't be disappointed.

Blessings,

Pat

 

[Kiwi]

I know people who have gone to Fuller and Regent (in Canada) and they sound good schools.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by MizDoulos
This fall I will be attending Liberty University to begin my path to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. I would love to go to the Master's Seminary eventually or Dallas Theological Seminary. But for know I must stick to the basics. I have really found a great interest in expostitory preaching

You've picked two of the best seminaries to attend, IMO. If you're talking about the Master's College headed by John Mac Arthur, Jr., you've picked a superb seminary! Pastor John is one of the best expositors today. Dallas Theological is also excellent.

My best to you!

WOW! You have picked two AWESOME schools. I know some who taught At Dallas Theological and as for Liberty, well you will have the opportunity to meet some GIANTS of the faith there.

One awesome Teacher there I am sure you have heard of or read some of his books is Harold Willmington. Any class he teaches is a bagain price at 100 million dollars eacg.

But hurry so you can actually touch the hand of a man named Sumner Wemp. He is getting old now and I don't know how much longer he will be around.

But he is without qusetion, the sweetest man alive. This is the man who really inspired me when it comes to soul winning. Until he came along, I had no idea how simple and easy it really all is.

I took his teachings and mixed it with my experience and came up with the most awesome and effective ways of winning souls! Oh My! You are in for a treat and a thrill you cannot imagine. If everyone knew about these two men, no university would be large enough to contain the students!

 

[Ioustinos]

Hi Gerry!!!

Thanks for the encouragement I can not wait to begin class this fall. I chose Liberty University because I knew that there were great men of God that taught there!

As as side note, I wish that in our day and age the church could once again realize the great burden that there are people who are without Christ! We are so "timid" at times that we let chance after chance pass us buy on sharing the Gospel of Christ.


May God Bless You,



Jesaiah