Should I Go To Seminary?
If you are reading this article, you are probably a prospective Seminary student asking the question, “Should I go to Seminary?” I invite you to join me in considering if you should- in fact- go to Seminary. This article is meant to be brief so as not to belabor the point and should function as a tool of consideration to the question at hand. I would highly recommend going to your pastor(s), find yourself buried in God’s word, and be in fervent prayer as you discern if Seminary is right for you.
You should go to Seminary if you . . .
1. Want to affirm your calling.
I have met many men coming into Seminary not knowing what the next chapter of their life will be. The idea of becoming a pastor, a missionary, a chaplain, or any other type of minister is possible, but the ministry role they may serve is unknown to them. All they know is that they have a desire to know God’s word more intimately, and they wish to serve the church in any direction that becomes clear to them.
I have also met other men coming into Seminary knowing that they are going to become Pastors once they graduate. For both kinds of men, Seminary will help affirm their calling into ministry. While Seminary may be academically difficult, most seminaries are still equipped with faculty who have previous ministry experience. Both the rigorous education and insightful faculty will help the Seminary student affirm their calling.
The deadlines of schoolwork with real life responsibilities, while not a 1:1 comparison, is much like that of a pastor preparing for their sermon every week with other responsibilities coming up. Furthermore, the faculty can help guide students as they discern their ministry calling. (It is worth noting that it is the church’s primary responsibility, not the Seminary’s, to confirm a ministry calling. Use the faculty as a helpful resource, but not to justify going into ministry).
It is also worth noting that many churches near seminaries have had Seminary students come and go. These churches can help provide further insight into your calling as they have had many students come before you.
2. Want to be equipped for Ministry.
Seminary should provide students with opportunities to receive many useful tools and practices. During Seminary, most students will be equipped in the following ways:
· At minimum, learn an elementary level of two biblical languages.
· Learn how to read scripture in its historical context.
· Learn how doctrine is not only intellectual, but also practical.
· Learn how we can learn from those before us in church history.
· Learn how to use Bible software to the advantage of the minister.
· Experience preaching opportunities with constructive criticism in preaching classes.
· Garner a community for the season you are going to Seminary.
· And the list goes on.
Seminary should be designed in such a way that helps the student be prepared for ministry. Prepare is the keyword here, not master. There is a sense, in which, those who go onto do ministry, are forever preparing to do ministry. Nevertheless, seminaries expose students to topics they had not considered before, gives them tools needed for ministry, and teaches students how to use those tools.
3. Believe in having a season to learn.
While you should be learning for the rest of your ministry career, there is a sense in which Seminary is a season to learn. There is a lot covered over a three-to-five-year degree program. For most students, they will not be in a full-time ministry role. And while there will be life distractions, students should go to Seminary with the intention of being students. That means focusing on education as a priority.
Before going to Seminary . . .
1. Ask what your motivations are.
This article is not going to answer every motivation, but it might be worth considering what your motivations are.
For example, I know a few women who decided to go to Seminary to learn more about the Bible. These women had retired and wanted to spend their remaining years learning more about God’s word in an academic setting. This is admirable.
However, I know of some individuals who come to Seminary to prove that they are more academically inclined than others. This is less admirable. If I were to continue writing possible motivations, the list would go as far as the moon!
Only you, dear reader, know your motivations for going to Seminary. Ask yourself if your motivations are admirable, wise, and would honor God.
2. Ask yourself, “Is this responsible?”
Ask yourself if going to Seminary is responsible in more ways than one. For example, is this responsible for my family? For my finances?
Going to Seminary is a huge commitment for your immediate family. This does not only affect the student. The time taken to learn all that needs to be learned in a short time must have a family willing to go through such efforts. Seminary is not cheap, if there is not a way for you to afford going to Seminary, it might be best looking at other affordable options. You may want to consider going to Seminary after building financial security. Once again, dear reader, you must ask yourself if going to Seminary is responsible in more ways than one. When asking this question, perhaps you should pray, and ask God for wisdom to help you navigate if this is responsible.
Conclusion:
Seminary won’t equip you for everything. However, it will provide you with tools, experience, education, and considerations before going into the ministry.
I pray that this article will be beneficial to you as you consider going into Seminary.
Further reading for consideration:
Jason K. Allen, Succeeding at Seminary: 12 Keys to Getting the Most out of Your Theological Education (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2021).
David Mathis and Johnathan Parnell, How to Stay Christian in Seminary (Weaton, IL: Crossway, 2014).
Jeff Robinson, “5 Myths About Seminary,” The Gospel Coalition, January 22, 2019, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-myths-Seminary/