Should I Change My Undergrad?

[Eivekeu]

Hey! I am Bryan and I am new on here. I am currently getting a BA degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I plan on pursuing an M.Div. afterwards. Anyway, I am currently wrestling with this issue of changing my major. Some people have been telling me that I should consider changing my major to something like Business Administration so that I would I have something I can fall back on in case the Pastorate doesn't go to well.

This is really a prayer request; I would really appreciate that, if you read this thread, you would pray for me. I just really need wisdom concerning this. Also, what is your advice regarding this? Should I change my major? Stick it out?

Thanks for reading!

 

[1watchman]

It sounds like a good idea. The Bus. Mgmt. degree is more useful. One can minister without a degree.

 

[Andres88]

I don't know if your church requires you especific studies/degrees. I used to be a Reformed Baptist, and in the church I went to, the assembly voted annually on who they perceived would be fit for pastoral ministry. If the person was elected, he went on a period of training with the main pastor. He could be "ordained" without having a degree, but he must have been fit to teach and preach.

Check that out with your own church first, if you really need those degrees in order to be in pastoral ministry. If not, you could go for your BS in Business Administration or any other. If your church does require those degrees, then the decision is up to you: have faith and pray that God will provide, or seriously consider your calling, whether or not you are willing to be a pastor despite the economic obstacles and uncertainties.

God bless you!

 

[parsley]

I would guess that baptist churches generally require the degree; you can check that online fairly quickly.

Southern Baptist Convention > SBC JobSearch
Baptist Ministry Positions / Baptist Jobs / Baptist Classifieds
Pastor Jobs | Check Available pastor jobs at pastorjobs.me
Baptist Pastor Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com

There is no guarantee a business degree will get you a job either, but it's worth using your electives for a practical side focus. See if you can get mentorship in a church, where the pastor is willing to use you for real responsibilities. That way you will have solid work experience under your belt, and a recommendation from a pastor.

You probably have courses in counseling; that might also be a focus you could build up while still in your program.

 

[John MacK]

I have changed my college major 4 times already and I've only just completed my second year. I have struggled constantly with what I want to do with my life, and what I should major in in order to get a good job, but in the end I decided it really isn't my decision. I kept trying to chart my own course when God had already planned out my path. So I ended up going with the major that felt like the best fit, had the least amount of obstacles, and the most upside. Really when it comes to choosing a major, it all comes down to options. Which major will give you the most options? Because you may love/want to major in a specific subject more than anything, but the old saying is true: don't put all your eggs into one basket. I don't want to tell you what to do one way or another, because ultimately it is your decision to make, but I would just have you think about which major/which path gives you the most options? Having options is what will allow you to avoid being stuck on one track with no way of getting off.

Hope this helps.