Why attend seminary?

[Autumnleaf]

Just wondering why its necessary to attend seminary. Jesus and his disciples and their disciples never did. Are we really doing any good by requiring the first 4 to 8 years of someone's calling to be spend significantly in the books instead of among the people?

 

[AutumnDreamer]

My husband and I never went to seminary, we started a church this year, he got ordained last month. I would love to take some classes just so I can learn more but I don't think it is always necessary

 

[servant4ever]

I'm going to seminary next year.

 

[plum]

Just wondering why its necessary to attend seminary. Jesus and his disciples and their disciples never did. Are we really doing any good by requiring the first 4 to 8 years of someone's calling to be spend significantly in the books instead of among the people?

you mentioned Jesus and the disciples/apostles. You're right that they didn't attend seminary, because there were no Christian seminaries around then
However, it's nott he best idea to compare two totally different systems of education. For instance, Yeshua was a Rabbi. You don't just become a Rabbi after 4 years of classes. In fact, you could call seminary a pretty wimpy version of what the disciples went through in their spiritual education. In the 1st Century Judaism men would be memorizing the Torah and the Prophets as soon as they could talk. Education in the Scriptures was life. It filled the home and was the focus of personal development.
Disciples usually went up to a Rabbi and asked them if they could take up their yoke (way of life/teachings) and follow them. Of course Yeshua broke that cycle by picking his 12 disciples. That's fascinating in itself!
What a disciple went through is amazing. They were with their Rabbi 24/7. They most likely lived together, went to the bathroom together, ate together, walked together... every situation, no matter what, was an opportunity for teaching. We can gather this by the way Yeshua/Jesus taught. As they traveled from place to place things would happen upon them and people would inturrupt the day and Yeshua didn't get angry about it. He used those moments to preach, heal, minister, etc.
Disciples didn't live by books and note-taking. They lived by the oral teachings and traditions of their Rabbi. So whatever Yeshua taught, they memorized and repeated. How did the Gospel writers remember all the details of the Sermon on the Mount? For one, they were there, and secondly, they were charged with the memorization of the Rabbi's teachings. So that's probably why some details differ (human memory is imperfect), but also why we can trust them as records of what the Master taught.

So, why go to seminary? That's up to you and any church you may want to work at. If you are not called to preach or pastor a congregation, you may not even have to consider seminary. But if it sounds too hard, too long, or too foolish, remember what the disciples of our Master had to do. They lived, walked, ate, prayed with Yeshua the Messiah. Had he not been killed after his 3 year ministry, they probably would have been with him many more years until becoming Rabbis themselves.

 

[Father Rick]

Jesus spent 3 years of one on one instruction/teaching His disciples-- and even then they were clueless half the time, if you read the interactions they had with Him. This was following a lifetime of learning the Scriptures. St. Paul received the best religious education that could possibly be had at that time.

While seminary may not be necessary for everyone, it is certainly EXTREMELY helpful.

 

[Honibee]

While seminary may not be necessary for everyone, it is certainly EXTREMELY helpful.

Well stated. My late husband pastored and picked up courses along the way, eventually getting
his degree. It's been mentioned, the greatest 'education' is that taught personally by the Holy Spirit.

 

[PreacherMan4U]

Just wondering why its necessary to attend seminary. Jesus and his disciples and their disciples never did. Are we really doing any good by requiring the first 4 to 8 years of someone's calling to be spend significantly in the books instead of among the people?

II Timothy 2:15 gives us a mandate to study God's Word.

15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.



As a Christian, and especially if called into His ministry, we should make every effort to attain as much education as possible.


Mike

 

[Autumnleaf]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like everyone thinks seminary is a good idea most of the time.

 

[Shep7]

I guess its like the difference between someone learning how to use a blowpipe in a village to hit the prey and going through military training (basic plus officer's training).
Sure, you will hit the target within a certain range if you can utilise the blowpipe well. You will be effectivem but within a certain range and certain targets. You wont have the effectiveness of those who have been trained with a whole range of skills over a long period of time.
Hence seminary training is helpful. It gives range, it gives breadth, it develops depth.

But to be fair, sometimes knowing too much can hamper the effectiveness of the person. The one who knows how to use the blowpipe does not have to think twice before blowing his dart at the prey. The one who has learnt a lot about the 'what ifs' of doing this or that, will have so much to consider that when given a certain situation, might not be able to respond fast or effectively enough. Thinking might replace doing.

I think - go to seminary. After you come out, read the book by Peter Wagner about what seminary didn't teach him...(I can't remember the title but its like "10 things they didn't teach me at seminary" or something like that). It helps.
Just my two cents worth.

 

[Samuel_Rigby]

Just wondering why its necessary to attend seminary. Jesus and his disciples and their disciples never did. Are we really doing any good by requiring the first 4 to 8 years of someone's calling to be spend significantly in the books instead of among the people?

Jesus' disciples spent 3 years in seminary, learning from the Master Himself! LOL!

 

[I <3 Abraham]

I'm going to seminary next year.

Good luck with that, I'm going to divinity school next year (assuming they let me in that is! Hearing back within a month or so, keeping my fingers crossed)

 

[prisonchaplain]

Just wondering why its necessary to attend seminary. Jesus and his disciples and their disciples never did. Are we really doing any good by requiring the first 4 to 8 years of someone's calling to be spend significantly in the books instead of among the people?

I doubt there are many who attended seminary and regret it. Study is such a blessing! On the other hand, there are many situations in which one is called to ministry, but unable to dedicate 4-7 years of full-time study. Finance is also a huge factor. Forward thinking denominations offer correspondence courses, and in some countries, those who are called are almost immediately installed--and given a mentor to help them learn the ministry while they pastor. School comes as is possible.

There should never be a knowledge vs. anointing debate. Knowledge on fire is the best combo.

 

[laterunner]

Jesus' disciples spent 3 years in seminary, learning from the Master Himself! LOL!

So very right, how long was Jesus in the desert, at prayer in His relation to His Father, in training He started in the temple remember.
We wan't ''things'' now, don't we..

 

[graysparrow]

Just wondering why its necessary to attend seminary. Jesus and his disciples and their disciples never did. Are we really doing any good by requiring the first 4 to 8 years of someone's calling to be spend significantly in the books instead of among the people?

Well... if you lived with Jesus, you'd teach at the seminary

 

[MapleLeaf]

I am in seminary right now, about to enter the final stretch (last 6 mos or so). Many come in with the question of why do I need to be here, can't I just get a job and minister? You can but what seminary does is very different than any other type of education I received.

The first year they strip away your theological/doctrinal beliefs. The second year they strip away you and make you find yourself. The final year you pull it all back together.

What you are taught is how to systematically and theologically defend your beliefs. Prof's are very clear, to just quote scripture as the reason why you believe something is not adequate, in fact that will lead to failure. You must articulate it in a proper theological framework and then defend your position.

On the personal side you are forced to confront every demon lurking in your mind. A lot of tears are shed in classes but you come out a new person; for me I am coming out with a solid faith and understanding that my life is in God's hands. When I jump off the cliff, God will catch me. It does not matter if I have $2 in the bank of $20K, over the last 3 years it has been shown to me time and time again that God will provide; and God does.

Without my formal education, I would not be near the minister I am going to be. Even my placement at a couple of different churches reminded me how human and fallible I am, and how others automatically look up to me and expect me to be different - if that isn't frightening, I don't know what is.

Finally seminary also teaches you how to deal with power. Whether we want it or not, we have it. I can walk into a hospital at 2 a.m. and not be refused entry into someone's room, the ER etc., I have also invoked provisions of mental health legislation and had people committed against their will - all because I am a student minister. If you don't deal with and understand the power that comes with the collar, and the title, you will certainly have huge challenges later in life.