Is it just me or have Seminaries got a bad rap these days in Christian literature? It seems almost inevitable that when I pick up a current “Here is how to do church better” book that there will be some section bemoaning the inadequacy of Seminaries to train church leaders for today’s world.
This mentality even finds its way into conversations that I have had as recent. Some suggest that I am wasting my life “hiding away” as they call it in a class and library while much work needs to be done in the church. I am wasting my time studying theology because as one guy pointed out, “Can you really master the divinity?” They even point to the fact that the disciples were unschooled fishermen and thus I should seek to be the same. I am humble enough in that moment though to not flex my academic muscles showing them that these same disciples wrote much of that theology that confuses them or causes them to seek out a pastor for an answer. Paul the apostle was a pretty smart and educated guy too. Are ignorance and naivety really better options?
While I’m not up on the latest trends in Seminary education and I don’t have pulse on the current Seminary context in North America, I do have a working knowledge of my own school and have an understanding of what it takes to lead in the church today. I have some advice for both the church and for Seminary students in order to mend this rift.
First, to the church. Don’t expect a finished project coming out of Seminary. These men and women still need to be seasoned and that seasoning only comes with time. A Seminary education is only part of the education they need - a necessary part though! Don’t you want people leading you who have spent some time studying the Bible and studying with gifted people? Don’t you want leaders who have critically thought through a biblical perspective of church today? Someone once told me that, “you will be the same person that you are today one year from now except for the people that you meet and the books that you read.” Seminary is a probably the best place to surround oneself with capable gifted people and good books. Don’t expect the “polished engineer” to come out of Seminary, because ministry is not math and a one size fits all. There are multiple complexities in the ever changing culture and church. The one thing that will always stay consistent though is a church leader’s knowledge of the word and their relationship with Christ.
Seminary Students can also help their own case. First of all, get out of the library once and a while and talk to real people. Volunteer at a youth drop in center or soup kitchen and ask yourself, “How can I communicate what I am learning about the theology of the Holy Spirit with this person?” or “How will the church even reach someone like this?” Don’t stop learning! Our education is only part of the learning that we need. As students we need follow the pattern of engage and retreat. Engage with the world and front line ministry and then retreat to reflect and retool.
I talked to a professor whom I look up to and respect about the value of Seminary education. He said the worst thing a Seminary student can do is hide in the library and just devote themselves to study. When he did his doctoral studies the best thing for him was to teach an adult Sunday School class. It grounded him from the high a lofty academics and reminded him of the reason for his education. If it can’t be passed on to everyday people, it is all for not.
Perhaps, we as students and churches are expecting too much from a Seminary education. Perhaps, there needs to be a renewed appreciation for Seminary education realizing that it is only part of the necessary learning of a church leader today. And, most importantly, perhaps it is not the Seminary that needs to change but the churches and students posture towards them. Heh, but I learned that from one of my professors at Seminary so I guess that doesn’t count…or does it?
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