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10 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SEMINARY TRAINING
By Dr. Alan Branch
Vice President of Student Development
Baptists believe that doctrinal integrity, moral purity and spiritual and personal maturity are the basic prerequisites to ministry. A person who excels in these areas can be used by God in mighty ways. Why then should someone invest several years of their life to seminary training? Every person called to ministry should remember the wisdom of Proverbs 19:2 which says, “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge or be hasty and miss the way.” With that in mind, here are the unofficial “top ten” objections to seminary and a brief response to each:
Objection 1: “I believe the Bible alone is sufficient for everything I need to know. Why should I go to seminary?”
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) affirms the sufficiency of Scripture. In fact, we believe the Bible when it says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). In a day when world religions are growing rapidly in our country, it is more imperative than ever for ministers to understand the core truths of the Christian Faith so that we can proclaim Christ crucified, buried and resurrected with clarity.
Objection 2: “I’ve heard that seminary will destroy your passion for serving God.”
The heartbeat of our seminary is the Great Commission. Our desire is to instill passion, not diminish it. Our students are involved in personal evangelism, accountability groups, praise and worship opportunities and dynamic chapel services. Take a long look at some of the most dynamic churches and you will discover that most of their pastors attended seminary!
Objection 3: “I’m already involved in a fruitful ministry and don’t have time for seminary.”
We rejoice when any ministry is characterized by growth and the conversion of the lost to Jesus Christ. Midwestern Seminary offers classes in a variety of delivery methods to encourage people already serving a church to participate in theological education. Furthermore, a healthy question to ask is this: “What legacy do I want leave behind me?” Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain” (John 15:16). Theological education is one step towards a ministry that not only sees growth, but “fruit that remains.”
Objection 4: “My pastor said that he can train and equip me in our church. Plus, I know great preachers who never had any formal training.”
We celebrate and affirm the primacy of the local church. In fact, MBTS is in covenant relationship with the thousands of local churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. We expect each student to be active in a local church while attending seminary. It is indeed true that many great preachers have never attended seminary. Yet, some of those same preachers started or supported schools for ministerial training! A seminary can also help preachers in ways that a local church cannot. Specifically, the resource of a world-class faculty with minds on fire for Jesus Christ can help students understand objections to the Gospel and how to respond to these objections so that more people can come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Objection 5: “I have already earned an undergraduate degree in religion or the Bible.”
Proverbs 4:7 says, “Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.” Also, some of your religion undergraduate classes may qualify you for advanced standing via Excel Testing.
Objection 6: “Most of the required classes have little to do with practical ministry.”
Good methodology and pastoral practice flows from good theology. Furthermore, classes like Church History or New Testament Introduction help students discover the generations of faithful believers who have gone before them and have struggled with the same challenges that we face today.
Objection 7: “The degree is too long and the academic requirements are too demanding.”
Jesus Christ began his ministry at age 30. Paul spent time preparing for ministry after his conversion. If these examples are informative, then we should consider the wisdom of solid preparation for ministry. The goal of our school is to educate God-called men and women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Our professors are rigorous, but fair. Others have survived and so will you!
Objection 8: “I cannot afford to go to seminary.”
The Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention provides financial support for each student who attends MBTS. Because of the generous gifts of our churches, MBTS is able to maintain affordable tuition and on-campus housing. Furthermore, when God calls someone to a seminary, He also provides the means needed for them to attend. We walk by faith!
Objection 9: “Online degrees are much more flexible and will not require that I relocate.”
It is true that a plethora of distance learning and online degrees are available. It is also true that the vast majority of them are not accredited. Any student who seeks an education should ask this question: “Am I earning a degree of significance and value?” Furthermore, seminary is more than just learning facts, it consists in shaping one’s character. Shaping of character is best accomplished in groups.
Objection 10: “The demands of seminary will cause me to neglect my family.”
The MBTS campus is a wonderful place for families. Many of our graduates look back on their years at our campus as some of the best in their marriage.
The moral and spiritual challenges facing us today require that we give our very best for Christ. Millions and millions of lost people need to hear the Gospel. The goal of our seminary is to train Christians so that we can get the Gospel to one more lost person. I pray God leads you to join us!
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