Seminary or the Streets

There has been a debate in many circles regarding whether those who are called to Christian ministry should first go seminary or immediately go into full-time ministry. There are valid arguments on both sides that I wish to examine. Those who are proponents of full-time ministry have valid points. If you are called by God into ministry why not immediately "walk in the calling?" They make the point that none of the apostles in the New Testament (except Paul) had any formal theological training and they were used by God to create a revolutionary movement. They also look at the growing churches around the world, which are lead by pastors without seminary degrees. Some of the advocates against seminary argue that most seminaries have lost their way and are "not seminary but cemeteries."

In the other camp there are those who hold to the position that a person should not go into ministry without first entering into higher theological education. They argue that seminary roots and grounds pastors and ministry workers in the foundations of Christian Faith and doctrine. This group points to how easy it is to lead congregants astray if the preacher does not have sound hermeneutics which understands the language and context of the text. At some extremes I've heard seminarians and professors state that they would not listen to pastors who do not hold theological degrees because of all the wrong theology, hermeneutics, and exegesis presented by popular TV and prosperity gospel preachers.

I must respond to these to positions in a typical postmodern fashion. I don't fall into either of these camps. As a full-time seminarian and a full-time practitioner of ministry, I would suggest that every person's journey is unique. I do have a few observations that I would like to brief highlight. First, no one should go to seminary to find God or confirm their belief and walk with God. Seminary is designed to shake you, challenge you and expose you to new traditions and give you tools to do effective ministry. For me if I was not sure of who I was and what I believed about God before seminary, when I encountered my crisis of faith moment (which everyone in seminary has) I could have gone in another direction. So why go to seminary? Seminary helps you wrestle with your faith so when congregants who are struggling in the faith journey come to you with off the wall question, you will not be shaken and be able to authentically walk out fears, misconceptions and issues together without become defensive like you have to protect the Bible or God. Now on the other side I would state that it is the anointing of God that makes the difference (excuse my pentecostal predilections). As I once heard a preacher say just because you have a Ph.D doesn't mean you can Pray Heaven Down, just because you have a M.A. doesn't mean your Mightily Anointed, just because you have a BA doesn't mean you are Born Again. It's the anointing of God that changes lives and fosters effective ministry. Some of the greatest preachers in my tradition (African American) where not educated. Some of the praying mothers in the churches did not have degrees but knew how to meet the Holy.

What am I trying to say? We need to live in healthy balance. I have been blessed to be able to grow by both attending seminary and working in ministry congruently. This may not work for everyone but I have come to appreciate the theoretical of theological study and the practicality of pastoring.