LifeWay Research released a study recently about the value of seminary education to pastors and to churches of various sizes, locations and denominations. I thought their findings were interesting and provocative, since I am a two-time seminary graduate -- from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (see picture on right). I have served as a pastor as well.

I won't repeat the details of the research in this blog, but I will offer reflections about some of the data provided in this study.

First, I was intrigued that three-fourths of the pastors surveyed (out of 1,004) say that their seminary education was useful and has abiding value and application in their current ministry. While I'm sure some endured their seminary education in order to secure a more lucrative ministry position, my conviction is that most go to seminary to prepare themselves for a sincere, fruitful ministry. And so, it seems, the research indicates this to be true. I can say honestly that every class I had in seminary added value -- and often content -- to my pastoral ministry on a week-to-week basis. And they still do. And, I will say in contrast, that I'm disappointed that 25% of pastors who had seminary training don't use it in their ministries. Surely, there are reasons for this, but I won't speculate here ...

Second, the study mentioned that small(er) churches have a lower percentage of pastors who have attended seminary classes. For those churches in close proximity to a seminary, this is the exception, of course. But for rural churches scattered throughout the nation, sometimes the candidate pool is very small -- and unfortunately, most seminary-trained pastors aren't willing to invest their lives in churches that are small and will always be small. That's why, as the study shows, small(er) churches are more willing to take a pastor without seminary education and with little or no ministry experience. Sadly, they must take what they can find. I wish that more seminarians and pastors-to-be would jump at the chance to invest in --and learn from -- a small church ministry. My first pastorate was a small, rural Kentucky church of about 70 in attendance. I invested all I had been given through my seminary education in them -- and yes, I learned much from them too.

Third, I was interested in the statistic that 90% of pastors say they would not make a seminary education (degree) a requirement for hiring staff. Maybe. I understand this position, and in theory, I agree with it. I have a cousin who is a fantastic student minister in Georgia who does not have a seminary degree. He has tons of experience, incredible gifts and passion for students, and solid theological beliefs. Even though he's working on a degree, some churches have looked past him because he didn't have one at the time. Their loss, for sure.

On the other hand, I can't help but think most pastors surveyed fudged a little in their responses. Are beliefs key? Yes. Is experience helpful and important? Certainly. But a seminary education is dispensible? I don't think so. Of course, it shouldn't be a requirement -- I get it. But in many situations, the vast majority of pastors and churches are looking for someone with seminary training -- regardless of the demographics -- especially if they can afford it. Why? Because seminary education really does help prepare and equip potential pastors for lifelong ministry, as this survey demonstrates.

I, for one, am grateful for my experience in seminary and for everything I learned during my tenure as a student (all ten years of it!). I believe I was a better pastor for having spent time in preparation through those many classes and many years at Southern Seminary. And I'm glad to see, according to LifeWay Research's latest study, that I'm not alone in my evaluation that seminary matters to pastors.

By Micah Carter
Associate to the VP for Executive Communications and Relations

This entry was posted on March 22, 2010 1:39 PM and is filed under Reflections . You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.