education and theology
good discussion happening at kenschenck.blogspot.com about asbury seminary (possibly the best thing was kerry kind calling andrew benson 'andy.' yeah, that was definitely the funniest...sorry benson!). i'll leave the experts to discuss it (and there truly are some there). here's my issue: what will theological education look like in the future?
here are my thoughts:
1. it will become more local church driven. it costs big money to fund churches. big, big money. i don't see the north american economy stretching into affluence for ever, so the nature of church will change. churches will become more geographically based and have looser connections with their denominational traditions at the pew level.
2. clergy, however, will stay connected with the institutions that trained them. so, theological education will become more institution driven. this combines to form this flavour: churches will see potential pastors and pour part of their resources into education which will be funneled by current pastors.
3. theological education will become more mobile. seminaries and colleges will still have facilities, but its employees will do seminar training in differet locations. if churches are expecting to get those they send out back to them, they will not want them gone for 3-7 years with minimal contact in their city/town. so, education will come to students as much as students go to education.
4. theological education will become more pastoral and formational.
here are my thoughts:
1. it will become more local church driven. it costs big money to fund churches. big, big money. i don't see the north american economy stretching into affluence for ever, so the nature of church will change. churches will become more geographically based and have looser connections with their denominational traditions at the pew level.
2. clergy, however, will stay connected with the institutions that trained them. so, theological education will become more institution driven. this combines to form this flavour: churches will see potential pastors and pour part of their resources into education which will be funneled by current pastors.
3. theological education will become more mobile. seminaries and colleges will still have facilities, but its employees will do seminar training in differet locations. if churches are expecting to get those they send out back to them, they will not want them gone for 3-7 years with minimal contact in their city/town. so, education will come to students as much as students go to education.
4. theological education will become more pastoral and formational.
posted by Aaron Perry at
11:43 AM
12 Comments:
I hope you are right. I would be interested in going to seminary, but not enough to give up pastoring.
AP: You touch on something that I have heard discussed in various classes and at various seminars.
The "investing in the local church" approach vs. "Investing in the Global Church" approach, is what I'll call this debate.
The "Local Church" approach is the local church grooming pot. pastors for ministry and training them, with expectation they will return to pastor or never leave the church they began at.
The major difference between the two is the "Investing in the Global church" does not expect or anticipate the pot. pastor to return or stay. They see the pot. pastor invest in him and allow God and him to sort out his place in the Kingdom.
I do like the idea of having localized education, I know of a few churches who actually have it. With your gifting of teaching and wisdom, I could see your church producing many well educated pot. pastors. It'd just be greedy for you to keep them all to yourself.
Well, well. I'M not even allowed to call him Andy!!! That's hilarious!!
Is it just me but I can't get kenschenk.blogspot.com to work.
Well, well..me meet again Kirk - surprised you didn't threaten to torture me on this page too!!! That's right..it's me...Kristi....
I'm going to bet that it's just you!!!
P.S. *Hint* we've shared a big vat of mac n cheese & hotdogs.......or have you done that with most people?????hmmmmmm
sorry, kirk. kenschenck.blogspot.com. i'll fix it on the post, too.
AP,
I am biased toward #4. Spiritual formation is vital for a pastor. Of course, my definition of spiritual formation is expanding (like the rest of me!) as I grow older and especially after having spent a year and half at seminary.
Complete spiritual formation includes developing the mind as well as the heart, so that we might better love God with our heart, soul, mind and strength.
So, I guess I am seeing less of a dychotomy between the spiritual and intellectual than I once did and moving toward a more whole life response of worship, whether one is a pastor, a professor or a plummer. Your BLOG often pushes me to develop my mind and spending time with you surely expands my heart.
John
I completly agree with the main thrust of your post AP "Andy Benson" is absolutly hilarrious. I know how much he hates "andy" and that just makes it better.
Hey Eric, I am glad someone who is in the know has some input here. I was also hoping that some guy might post, but he hasn't. Cost-effective: great point. One I hoped to touch on with the sponsorship of local churches--from which I benefitted quite a bit.
Is it possible to accomplish factors 1 and 2 without factor 3 (and possibly 4)? Both spiritual and academic formation take significant time and human resources. These both cost money. What is a reasonable amount of debt to incur? Do the ways that make education affordable (i.e., distance, internet, seminars, etc.) lend themselves to formation?
So, SGFMB responds:
Agree. #2 particularly. Of #4, the converse is also true: pastoral and formational training needs to become more theological.
(particularly, imho, in the church denomination that I left, at least and/or especially in those districts in which I had ministry experience, let the reader understand).
AP, you are the exception. You should be the norm.
SGFMB
ap,
In thinking about this and from Schenck's response, I think that theological education must almost become about mentoring. Thinking of how Bonhoeffor was educated - he went and hung out with Barth, talking with him, and just being around him. I think of my best times at seminary as being in those times with Walls or Gutenson or Wood. We were always discussing readings, but the readings led to spiritual formation. I think this is where theological education will eventually take us. Or at least, I hope.
Thanks for the response, Eric. One thing to clarify: Cost effective wasn't for the institution, but the student. Obviously the lean/mean seminary can attract students better than wasteful ones, so you answer still touched on it.
Thanks.
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