Seminary questions...

[afnospam]

Hello everyone. For a number of years, I have been in prayer and deep consideration in going to seminary. Lately, the draw has been painful (in a good way), leading me to be emotional in quite times in reflection. For those that have accepted the call and have gone to seminary, what was God's moving you like? Secondly, how did you finance it? Third, any opinions on Asbury Theological Seminary?
I've been saved for 20 years and I'm a VP with a Fortune 25 company, married with one child and another due in October - naturally I have a lot of questions and need to sort through it all. More than likely I'll work through some kind of discerment process with the local church (Episcopal, Spirit filled thank you Lord!) into next a year. Right now, sharing your experiences would mean a lot.

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[swordman]

Greetings.

It appears that you are still not sure why you would want to enter seminary school. What is the purpose? Is seminary providing you the qualifications to be the CEO of a "church" organization the primary thrust of what is in your heart? Do you feel that seminary will make you a better Bible student? There are simply too many questions that only you can answer. What is the ultimate goal for your life? Can you not serve just as effectively right where you are? Are there not enough people where you work and live to whom you can minister Christ? Can you not become a man who plants a new church based upon the Biblical model rather than the traditional model of buildings, staffing, programs, parking lots, expense after expense after expense? You see, we already have MORE than enough of those, but what about a more PURE and ORGANIC expression of TRUE Church life?

You are the only one who can answer all these questions where your own heart is concerned. I can give you answers that will challenge your thinking and your heart in order to discover where you really want to go, but the higher path is always the hardest, and therefore the least traveled. Financing? Hmm. If the Lord wants you in a cemetary school, then He will provide you what you need.

Dr. Don Dean (Th.D.)

 

[afnospam]

It appears that you are still not sure why you would want to enter seminary school. What is the purpose? Is seminary providing you the qualifications to be the CEO of a "church" organization the primary thrust of what is in your heart? Do you feel that seminary will make you a better Bible student? There are simply too many questions that only you can answer. What is the ultimate goal for your life?

I'll start with the latter question. The ultimate goal is to submit my life to God's plan and will. As God desires that none should perish but come to everlasting life, our work as Christians should be presenting the redemption of Christ to the lost, reconciling them to God thorugh Jesus Christ. See below, but seminary not only allows growth, education, and mentoring, but it's qualification places you in an better position meet qualifications of many churches.

Can you not serve just as effectively right where you are? Are there not enough people where you work and live to whom you can minister Christ? Can you not become a man who plants a new church based upon the Biblical model rather than the traditional model of buildings, staffing, programs, parking lots, expense after expense after expense? You see, we already have MORE than enough of those, but what about a more PURE and ORGANIC expression of TRUE Church life?

I can and do server where I am. However, I see the Church in it's state of ungodliness - many denominations. Many demoninations have an ever growing vacancy of Pastoral positions? Are we just to surrender the under current of apostacy? Who will go and preach the gospel? Yes, part of the problem is that the Church that has been traditional has not "thought outside of the box". Some faithful confuse moving to new ways to reach an ever changing world with the surrender of traditions. I personally believe the brick-and-mortor Church is integral to God's plan.

You are the only one who can answer all these questions where your own heart is concerned. I can give you answers that will challenge your thinking and your heart in order to discover where you really want to go, but the higher path is always the hardest, and therefore the least traveled. Financing? Hmm. If the Lord wants you in a cemetary school, then He will provide you what you need. Dr. Don Dean (Th.D.)

Ultimately the response is mine. I believe it is best for brothers to reason together. I've seen too many ordained that were not called; some called that took great reverence to the task but choose not to go. My hope is to do what God leads. Period. As for the response about cemetary - I have heard that for years. Not all lead to a dead faith; some are faithful tot he Gospel and fruitful. Financing is a concern, and I will trust the Lord to provide. However, I believe that to have accumulated a great deal of debt is not Biblical.

 

[TheScottsMen]

As for the calling and where to go. I had this same question years ago. The part that hindered me at that time is I really didn't want to enter some liberal non-christian seminary. Or as we have now come to call them, cemeteries. If you feel you have a calling check out a 4 year bible college. Colleges like ORU, etc.. The college I am attending now is Maranatha College. Which background is Pentecostal/Word of Faith. I will grad with my degree in theology next year and be ordained under the ministry there. To be honest, finding a job once one has formal education is not hard at all. There are thousands of positions throughout the USA and else where. Problem is most ppl want to become a Pastor without any training and expect "Ah! I have a calling, bring me to a church!".

Check out a 4 year school in Theology. If you have background in bible studies already RHEMA(http://www.rhema.org) is also a good start.