Should you get a ministry degree or a real world degree?
That sounds like kind of a weird question… but that’s the question posted to Mark Driscoll recently from a young student pastor wannabe.
Here’s the question:
I am a freshman at a Christian university. I have felt the Lord call me to prepare for ministry, but I’m still uncertain which major I should dive into. Should I choose a degree that would help me get a good job and provide for a family, or one that will be more applicable in ministry?
What Driscoll replied may surprise you.
And it’s actually practical (but unconventional) ministry advice.
Matt Steen and I discuss in this short Ministry Briefing…
(Length: 6 min 09 sec)
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What do YOU think? Leave a text or video comment here…
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Your conversation seems to ignore the matter of God’s call and direction in a person’s life. “Vocational” and “fallback option” thinking tends to leave God’s desire for one’s life out of the picture.
The one point that was made that is certainly excellent and needs to be heard by more is: don’t pile up school debt. No matter what vocation God has called you to, He hasn’t called you to saddle yourself with a huge school debt. Thank you for making that point clear!
I wish somebody would have told me this… lol… I have over $80,000 in seminary debt that must be paid back as soon as I finish schooling… many congregations pressure preachers into seminary without considering the cost and pressure it puts on the individual… especially if the individual has a family… when I first was called to preach I was immediately instructed to enroll in seminary… (mind you I was 22 years old with a wife and small child)… it would have been fine if the Baptist church would have offset the cost… after I finished undergrad, I was told in order for a church to consider me as a pastor I must get my M.Div… so I took the advice and immediately enrolled in grad school… (still without the assistance of the church to offset the cost)…
many years and 3 kids later… I’m head over heal in seminary debt… for what… 90% what I learned can’t be used in a congregational setting…
So you already the concept that just because you have an education does not guarantee you anything. I have been out of seminary for three years but have only had one interview for a pastoral position in three years coupled with no support from the church that I currently a member of.
@Terry
I’m feel your pain… this is what makes the Baptist Church really unorganized or united… I was considering moving to another denomination… i.e. Methodist, C.O.G.I.C… somewhere where there’s support from the church at large…
I am considering going back to get a Masters in Christian Studies, but I will not take on any significant debt because of where I am in my stage of life (early 50′s). Some denominations (like mine–Christian & Missionary Alliance) require some sort of Christian schooling (not necessarily a M.Div degree) in order to qualify as a pastor, but a balance in your education is the key. I would use caution, however, in selecting accredited schools instead of those that do not feel they need accreditation. Those schools are a waste of time and money.
The guy going for a degree in computer science will not be advised to get a fallback degree in english lit because he might want to change later. I tell people the following:
1) Make sure you are called.
2) Get trained.
3) Be active serving while you are being trained.
4) Work your butt off so you have as little debts as possible.
Amen to all 4 of those points!
A lot of my theology and biblical knowledge came out of all the classes I took for my ministry degree, but all of my practical knowledge came from serving in a church while I attained that degree.
I think your time getting a pastoral studies degree is a great time to work out your theology, learn more about scripture, but you will come out behind everyone else if you only depend on the ministry classes for your experience.