My critical thinking skills were greatly honed. My writing skills were improved. At least I learned something beyond the technical skills I got in my undergrad program.

Yes, I learn to speed read. I started seminary able to read a book every two months or so and ended with the ability and the freedom to skim two a day. I also learned that there are a lot a really bad/meaningless books published, but the good ones are so very valuable.

And I learned my Myers-Briggs profile (3 times) and DiSC leadership style (2 times). I’m a DI.

I got married last year and with my wife (who is also working for the church) we are going to Hillsong Leadership College in the Pastoral Leadership stream next year. We decided by ourselves because we want to learn as much as possible to serve the church the most.
What do you think of this choice?

You and I were at Southwestern at the same time - during the presidential turnover, etc. I stuck with it, through 2 kids, 3 states (moving), and 5 years of full/part time education.

I would have to echo Russell. Be obedient to God. If he tells you to go - then go, quickly, and unwaveringly (is that a word?). But, if you’re going just because - it may not be a great experience for you. I’m glad I went. I’m more glad I’m done.

The things I enjoyed the most were the reflective writings - where I was able to synthesize what I’ve learned and form my own personal belief system. I enjoyed the history and archaeology. I did not enjoy the “doctrinal focuses” of many of the classes. I know why they were focused on “Baptist Doctrine” - it is a Baptist school. I get that. It was just the part I liked the least.

For those of you looking - I again recommend looking at Rockbridge. The President not only has a cool name (Daryl) but also was the Dean of the Education school when I was at SWBTS. He’s a great guy and passionate about making the Seminary experience great.

Cheers, –DW (Just another Daryl…)

In my view, seminary has much potential to enhance one’s ministry significantly, but is neither a guarantee of effectiveness nor a requirement for effectiveness.

i’m currently taking my MDiv… lately, i’ve been getting kind of lost with this school thing… but reading how seminary has helped everyone of you is just encouraging!

For me, I was fortunate to be one of the last in Willow Creek’s Church Leadership Development Program. This program utilized seminary from Bethel’s InMInistry track. I liked being “in ministry” while studying as it provided a lot of applications at my fingertips. This was a distance program with 4 weeks of on-campus classes per year.

Bethel’s MA in Transformational Leadership was a great mix of theology and leadership. I really enjoyed Biblical studies, hermeneutics, systems theory, and the leadership classes were engaging. I learned to read FAST, construct my thoughts by writing a lot (papers and postings), and I had my theology broadened, shaped and strengthened by learning other views,engaging them, and defending my conclusions.

On the downside, there may be a deconstruction period for those attending seminary. This is where all many of your preconceived notions get damaged and destroyed. It can be rather unsettling for many, but in the end it can be wonderful refining process. Making friends who are sharing your journey is huge. I still keep in contact with many and I have learned, grown, and gone deep with them.

Seminary also taught me about denominational politics and where ministry can end up if not focused on the gospel and reaching the lost. I am grateful for my time there and the thing I learned.

Is seminary necessary? If God is leading you there absolutely, if you can avoid seminary and be obedient praise God.

I enjoyed one class which was a seminar style class by one of the last holdouts to the purge the president was conducting. He was forced to retire the following year. Lucky for me, my calling is as a Worship and Communications pastor so the Greek (I made a D) and Hebrew (I enjoyed my female professor who was later fired) were not a necessity. I learned some History but dropped out after 2 years. I will probably not finish. Why should I?

I’ve been wanting to move away from standing behind the pulpit on stage while I preach. I watched one of your video podcasts recently, and it looks like you’ve got your notes organized right in your Bible within some kind of sleeves. I’m guessing it probably isn’t something you learned at Seminary, but could you share how you do that? I’ve got to start toying with some different approaches and lock in to something that works for me… Thanks!

What am I learning and thankful for in seminary so far?
- Getting a far better understanding of the ‘why’ behind what I believe (agreeing with Craig and others here)
- Making a lot of friends and connections with other people in ministry across the country. I hate traditional ‘networking’ but this is different.
- The things I’m learning in class I’m putting immediately into practice in my church - for me seminary and ministry go best together. The questions I bring to the table are real-world concerns.
- I’m learning to communicate for change and to motivate (quite a difference from the technical writing I’ve been doing for years)
- Like Craig, I learned Greek and History on my own and would prefer to take classes where discussion adds huge value to the learning.
- The most exciting thing I’ve learned came in the first class: a better understanding of God’s unique design for my life and the tools to take charge of my own development, putting together a learning plan based on areas I need to strengthen for growth and more effective ministry.

I’m at Rockbridge Seminary which is 100% online, and would recommend anyone thinking about seminary check it out.