Should Seminaries Train the Churches?

Last updated on: April 24, 2015 at 10:24 pm by Kyle Roberts

Should Seminaries Train the Churches? 2015-04-24T22:24:25-05:00 Kyle Roberts

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The primary objective of seminaries has long been (primarily) to train pastors and ministers for the work of ministry in churches.

The other week I was involved in a discussion with a church group about changes happening in churches and seminary. Someone asked what I thought was a pretty interesting question. I paraphrase:

“Seminaries are focused on training pastors, but should seminaries also be working with churches to prepare them better for the pastors that they are training?”

The question hits at the disconnect that many in churches have long felt between academic theology and seminary education, and the actual demands and expectations of church life.

In the very near future, could seminaries play a more direct role in informing, educating, training, etc., churches (both staff and laypeople), in such a way as to support both pastors and the churches they serve? How can seminaries be a resource to theological and biblical education, discipleship, missional and spiritual formation, etc.?

I don’t have the answers, but it seems like an important question.

Your feedback is welcome!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/78845880@N06/10019497354″>30 сентября 2013, Божественная Литургия в Воскресенском Новодевичьем монастыре</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a>

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