After reading Is the D.Min a “fluff degree? at Pomomusings, I started to rethink my grad school choices a little. I want to have my options open for a Th.D, if I decide to go that route, but I don’t want to “waste” my time (I use quotes because study is never wasted time) on a degree that won’t make me a better minister.
My friend Jason is finishing his M.Div and I know he’s been challenged and has had to work hard on his theological understanding. But he says that his classmates aren’t necessarily following suit. And the school isn’t encouraging them to. Neither of us can understand why.
The majority of the study is on pastoral care issues, church growth, and program trends. But praxis changes. That whole portion of study could be useless in two or three years. But theology is timeless.
Sure, our understandings change from time to time, and we have to be able to articulate and apply our theology in rapidly changing contexts. But Christ doesn’t change. God doesn’t change. Our church leaders need to be grounded in the constant, unchanging things…houses built on the rock.
This has been evident as I’ve worked with and around pastors, who have received their M.Div’s, but whose theological knowledge goes no deeper than a thoroughly therapeutic gospel. Pastor’s who know all about giving the people what they want, but who have no idea what the people need.
These pastors are constantly trying to keep up with the church-growth game. They learn new models, buy new programs, and clutter up their calendars and buildings to bring people in, but have nothing to say when they get there. I hope this is an isolated phenomenon, church-growth doesn’t necessarily grow the Kingdom.
Technorati Tags: christ, context, d.min, doctorate, jesus, kingdom, m.div, master's, praxis, seminary, th.d, Theology
7 responses so far...
Great observations.
As a fellow layguy, what I hear most from seminary escapees is that the seminary did not prepare them for the actual work of ministry with an actual congregation.
Is this concern what drives the praxis people?
John, the praxis people say that seminary doesn’t teach the important pastoral facts, and that’s true. But the M.Div. is a professional degree, therefore focused on skills, not facts.
There’s a difference between pastoral skills (e.g. homiletics) and pastoral facts (e.g. your vestry or church board can be your best friend or worst enemy).
The point of seminary is not to unload fully developed pastors on the scene. The root of the word seminary is seed–the seminary exists to plant the seeds of theological education and pastoral skills. Seminary ought to be the beginning, not the end, of pastoral and theological growth.
It seems to me that much of the concern about seminary from the praxis folks comes from a microwave mentality that wants the seminary to produce instant pastors. We need seminaries that inculcate the basics, allow for advanced study for those so inclined, and channel graduates into mentored relationships with experienced pastors who will mold them and teach them the important facts.
jem+
Hey man, I just found my way over here from pomomusings as I procrastinate from my studies. But I found this post to be rather informative. I’m finishing up my undergrad now at a moderately secular christian school. Just trying to consider my options in life, and kinda praying about going to seminary (full or part time depending on whether I get a ministry position).
I also found it compelling that you said ‘I hope this is an isolated phenomenon, church-growth doesn’t necessarily grow the Kingdom.’ I could not agree more. Good post.
I am not sure your background, but I am finishing the M.Div. If it is balanced it should be both. I am planning on doing the D.Min too. Which is easier, no doubt. But to get into any major Bible Ph.D program, you have to have the M.Div, I think.
I know that an M.Div has the potential to be a balanced, useful degree. But it seems that some programs are not all we hope they would be, and people are being sent into ministry who can grow a church and lead effectively, but have no theological grounding, so they stray from Jesus as the focus of their ministry.
Anybody want to recommend a seminary where you can get a healthy portion of both sides?
I’m with the other guys who wandered here from the pomo site’s DMin article. I’m an MDiv student at Southern Seminary in Louisville and I transferred from New Orleans Baptist Seminary (www.nobts.edu). I can tell you that the difference is almost tangible. Southern is rigorously focused on theological preparation and applying it in your preaching & teaching, whereas NOBTS was very much a “best practices” school. My reading load at Southern tripled what I had at NOBTS. It is a much better school in terms of laying a framework for ministry (I say that as a minister of 10 years) and for academic preparation (I say that as a former teacher). If you want a good preparation that is tough and balanced but don’t want to lose sight of the goal of all theological study–knowing Christ better–come to Louisville.
Oh, and for the record, they’re introducing a D.Min. in applied theology this semester…very tempting… http://www.sbts.edu/dmin
God bless you guys. Now I’ve got to read! 
Blogs4God
Ahh the pleasures of being the “layguy”