Yesterday I taught a summer class on coaching and
co-facilitated two peer groups of seminary students without leaving my home
office. Using online technology and the
telephone, I was able to pursue my work as an adjunct professor for Central
Baptist Theological Seminary.
Increasingly, this is the face of theological education in the early 21st
century. How did we get here?
First, God calls. God continues to call out women and men
as ministers. This call comes at the
most unexpected times to the most surprised people. The subject of the call may be a businessman
in his fifties, a single mother in her thirties, or a professional nurse in her
forties. God calls people of all races and ethnicities. Certainly God continues to call young men and
women to the ministry but not every person who receives the call is right out
of college. God is funny that way.
Second, life happens.
Even those who have been called to the ministry have lives beyond the
church. They are wives and husbands,
mothers and fathers, and employees and employers. They have families to support and nurture,
jobs to do in order to provide financially for themselves and others, and churches
to serve. Very often those who are
called to ministry later in life are firmly involved in their communities and
their churches. Relocating to pursue
seminary education is often not only difficult but impossible.
Third, churches need leaders. One can minister in a congregation without a
theological education, but one can be a better minister with a theological
education. Seminary is about studying
the Bible, theology, and church history, but it is also about formation—understanding
with increase clarity the call of God, learning skills to serve God’s people,
and broadening one’s vision for Kingdom work.
Can a minister lead a congregation without a seminary degree? Of course. Will that person be a better
minister with seminary study? Yes,
without a doubt.
Fourth, money is tight.
Seminary education, like any quality education, is not cheap. Denominations do not provide as much support
to seminaries as they did in the past because the financial gifts they receive
from churches have declined. Churches
don’t provide direct support to seminaries because they have other things to
deal with—increased insurance for staff, building repairs, and local
ministries. Big donors are few and far
between. The competition to obtain
grants from foundations is intense.
What does all this mean?
God is still calling people to ministry and churches need leaders. At the same time, the traditional forms of
providing theological education must change to meet the realities of individual
lifestyles without sacrificing quality. What’s
the answer?
Theological institutions like Central Baptist Theological
Seminary are taking the initiative to address these concerns. Several years ago, Central began offering
courses in satellite centers and online.
More recently, the seminary began classes for Korean students in several
locations as well as short-term theological training for Burmese immigrants. This
past year, a Women’s Leadership Cohort was launched in Nashville to empower
women to “break the stained glass ceiling.”
In the fall of 2015, Central will
launch a new Master of Divinity degree program this will be highly accessible,
competency-based, and entrepreneurial.
This is the future of theological education—providing quality
education and formation in creative and innovative ways to those God calls. The Spirit moves where the Spirit wishes and
we are invited to come along on the ride.
Those who train ministers are beginning to understand the commitment and
flexibility that journey requires.
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