I’ve had a couple students ask about finding the right seminary. I don’t know any resources that help students find seminaries so I created this resource rather than pushing my alma mater which most people do. Here are the questions you should have an answer for-
1. What Is It That You Want To Get Out Of Seminary?
Pick a seminary that best meets the needs of what you are desiring to get out of seminary. I remember the days leading up to picking the right Seminary. I didn’t know the right questions to ask, so I just asked the opinions of local ministers that I admired. Each minister essentially was a walking billboard for whatever seminary they attended. Looking back I needed much more than an alma-mater push; I needed more than a conservative/liberal choice; I needed personal direction; I needed information that would direct me to the seminary that was tailored personally for my gifts, calling, and conviction.
Make sure your seminary will open up opportunities in the denomination of your choosing and set you up with a network of people that can be your lifetime advocate in ministry.
Regardless of what you have heard, there isn’t a single best option for seminary. The reality is that the right seminary for me is probably not the right seminary for you. For example, if you want to study urban church planting then you probably don’t want to attend a rural seminary. You also want to find what seminary the guru’s of urban church planting are located.
2. What Is Your Calling?
Seminary is more than training preachers. You can study Psychology and Counseling, Christian Education, Chaplaincy, Leadership, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, and so much more according to which seminary you may attend. I realize that many students who begin seminary don’t know the area of ministry they are called; however, knowing your ministerial call can maximize what you get out of seminary. I don’t think it is essential that you must know your calling before selecting a seminary. However, it can be an environment that can clarify, reaffirm, and make you question your calling.
You want your seminary to give you maximum exposure to the best resources available for you to be the most effective minister (or whatever you train to become) possible. I tell people all the time, “Don’t pick a seminary b/c your minister went there or because your friends are going there; pick a seminary that has the expert professor in your area of study and make him/her your mentor.” Meet with your expert professor over a cup of coffee or dinner. Make theological education personal and interactive rather than taking notes in a desk. I have heard horror stories of students picking a seminary merely because friends attended.
3. What Does Tuition Cost?
Seminary choice is also a stewardship issue. Most prospective seminary students are running on a very tight budget and there isn’t a big payoff after your seminary career. However, never sacrifice quality of education for cost of education. Cost versus quality is where you may have to make sacrifices here and there. Find the seminary that is fully accredited in your area and respected amongst scholarly circles, but also won’t break the bank. Accreditation is very important; however, just because one seminary is accredited in theological training doesn’t mean it is accredited in secular circles. This is important especially for Psych and Counseling Majors. Nouthetic Counseling is usually not accredited in secular circles, while Integrative is.
4. Where Do I Stand Theologically?
Some people have horrible seminary experiences because they are outside seminary’s theological orthodoxy. Expect to be polarized over some theological issues. Debates can cause learning to flourish. This is one of the many reasons why you should know where you stand and where the seminary stands on certain issues. If you don’t know where you stand theologically, you will be very impressionable by professors who are much more knowledgeable than you. Knowing where you stand will maximize your seminary learning experience and you be be able to intellectually dialogue with professors who respectfully agree/disagree. It will also allow you to be aware and more intellectually evaluate your professor’s biases. The foundational issues that you should consider theologically are:
eschatology
soteriology
covenantalism vs. dispensationalism
Calvinism vs. Arminianism
Women in Ministry
Alcohol
Priesthood of the Believer
Church Polity
Speaking in Tongues
Role of Cooperative Program and Convention
Make sure you have biblical evidence for these issues. There are so many more areas of controversy to consider, but these are the most polarizing amongst seminaries in Baptist circles.
5. What Is The Theological Fingerprint of This Seminary?
Regardless of what seminary you choose, it will have a theological fingerprint. Every professor’s class you take and book that you read with have a theological agenda whether you recognize it or not. This reality is okay because we are all convicted and excited to share our theology. One common myth is that moderate or liberal seminaries are more theologically balanced. In every conservative seminary that has an agenda, there is a liberal seminary that has an equal agenda. Which agenda do you agree with most? Ideally, you want a non-biased theological education so that you can decide for yourself what you believe; practically speaking, this pursuit is impossible because I have yet to find any theology book non-biased be-it liberal, moderate, conservative, pre-mill, a-mill, reformed, arminian etc....you get the picture.
6. Do I Feel At Home Here?
Before you declare which seminary you will attend, you should visit at least 2 times. I would suggest visiting your top three choices and then visit your top choice twice. I had in my mind attending a seminary because of friends and ministers who graduated there. I visited once and had a terrible experience. I gave it one more visit and decided I could never go there. Most seminaries have prospective student weekends. Take advantage of these because they will treat you like kings and queens at a very low cost.
Finding the best seminary for you takes time, energy, prayer, prayer, and did I mention prayer? Picking the right seminary is NOT an educational and spiritual decision that you can take lightly and risk making the wrong decision! The seminary of my choosing was a decision that I will always be proud of.
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