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February 11, 2012

Home > 2009 > February (Web-only)Christianity Today, February (Web-only), 2009
Theology in the News
Seminaries: Not Just for Pastors Anymore
Derek Cooper offers an insider's guide — and reflections on what schools need to do better.




So You're Thinking about Going to Seminary: An Insider's Guide
By Derek Cooper
Brazos Press, November 2008
240 pages, $14.99


In difficult economic times, graduate school becomes a refuge for students who hope for better days ahead. Already, applications to Dallas Theological Seminary have spiked 10 percent, keeping with historical trends for theological training during unstable days. Seminaries, enduring their own financial woes, would happily welcome more refugees. Applicants don't even need to expect that they will enter pastoral ministry, says Derek Cooper, author of So You're Thinking about Going to Seminary: An Insider's Guide. Cooper, a visiting professor of New Testament at Biblical Theological Seminary, draws on his experience of attending classes at six such schools.

What is the biggest misconception about seminaries?

There are generally two. First, those who attend seminary assume that one of seminary's main purposes is to provide the answer to this or that great biblical or theological question. Instead of understanding seminary or theological education in terms of a mathematical formula to be solved, however, it is more like a tension-filled narrative that is to be lived out. Seminaries, in other words, are better at asking questions than answering them.

Second, those who do not attend seminary assume that only people called to the pastorate or some other full-time Christian ministry are encouraged or even eligible to attend seminary. The truth is, however, that seminaries are filled with students who will pursue a variety of professions after graduation.

You've attended classes at six seminaries. What lessons stand out?

I've learned that there is no such thing as the perfect seminary. Instead, each seminary has its own unique personality that distinguishes it from others. These personalities are not necessarily good or bad, just different. In my book, I use the analogy of cars to discuss how to choose a seminary. Just as cars come in all shapes and sizes and styles, so seminaries are extremely diverse. The key is to choose the one that best fits your personality.

Where do most students go wrong in choosing a seminary?

Most students are too quick to choose a seminary. They quickly settle on this or that school because a pastor recommended it or because it is the closest one geographically or because it has a flexible schedule. Students should reflect on how much seminary will affect them — spiritually, professionally, geographically, and financially. They should also, when possible, make their decisions to attend a certain school based on more than just one criterion.

What do you know now as a seminary professor that you wish you knew as a student?

I wish I knew how important it is to network and to attend a seminary that has a history of and commitment to connecting students to various forms of ministry during and after graduation. Each seminary has its own limitations, and it's good to know how a school might limit your options as a student and as a graduate.

Why do you think so many students who attend seminary do not enter ministry or last long in those fields?

I can think of two reasons. The first is finances. I personally know several seminary graduates who have eventually taken full-time secular jobs, in part due to the low income that many Christian jobs pay in relation to our high standard of living in North America. College and seminary loans, mortgages, car payments, day care, and food costs add up very quickly on a Christian worker's salary.





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Displaying 1–5 of 7 comments

chae s. sone

February 17, 2009  1:18am

In response to Doug. I believe that a seminarian's life is very important to learn the nature of human relations how to be a good person and a leader who could understand the curious functions of life. We know Jesus did not go to any university, But he learned how human beings relates each other on the situation at which one should make a choice of decision how to react to a given situation at the given time. We could learn many things in meditation, but our learning always enriches whenever we relates with others - on a goal based upon our Christian value system. We must strengthen our seminary education by a strong meaningful support. I totally agree with Doug's idea. SEE Website Outcasts that we all may be one. Dallass News - Why Hillary neglecting delegate - rich Dallas..anti church scandals and racketerring in the cyger age I

scott orbon

February 10, 2009  10:45pm

I should have written the book! Any Church leader today could say the same thing. The author is a generalist! He needed to say something great, and he did NOT!

Joey Joe Joe

February 10, 2009  3:31pm

Technically there are distinct answers and distinct questions in this interview but it almost seems like it's the same questions and answers over and over. It doesn't give the impression that this book will tell me anything I don't already know about seminary.

Kirkistan

February 10, 2009  2:03pm

As a copywriter just about to finish an MA at Bethel Seminary, I can say that my theological education is key to helping me think Christianly about the advertising and communication industry—even helping me look into the future of dialogue marketing [http://livingstoncontent.wordpress.com/2009/01/31/welcome-to-the-dialogica l-world/] to see a Trinitarian basis to it. It also sets me up for full-time entrepreneurial ministry in the workplace, right where people experience life [http://livingstoncontent.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/conversations-create-stu ff/].

Basil

February 10, 2009  10:41am

Some seminaries are taking their programs to churches. RTS has extension programs for those pursuing MDivs and for those who wishing to audit courses. Willow Creek has now taken remedial steps to educate its attendees by inviting teachers from Wheaton and TEDS to its campus for courses. Hopefully this will be a growing tend at other churches.

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