Emory/Candler School of Theology

Reply to daveatlanta!

Dave,

This is an issue in which I have some measure of expertise.

At the age of 30 I was a journeyman steamfitter/welder construction worker. I had never even taken college entrance exams. I left my home and moved my pregnant wife, two year old daughter, and quit my job to go to seminary. I know that circumstances seem insurmountable at times.

Instead of giving advice (but I will be glad to do that too!), I would ask some rather pointed questions for you to ponder in prayer and Bible study.

1. Are you sure that you are "called to be a prof" or to teach seminary, grad school, etc? There is such a glut of academics already who would fill those positions in every discipline i.e., church history, NT, OT, theology, et al.

2. I have never heard of anyone to know for sure that they are NOT called to be a pastor. Are you sure of this?

3. Are you a Southern Baptist? If you are then you will really need at least one SBC credential especially one graduate or advance degree.

4. Would you not consider at all moving your family? You have painted your circumstance(s) so narrow that God may want to do some amazing things right before your eyes if you will but "Trust and obey!" (No judgment just thoughts!).

5. What is your BA/BS? What are you equipped to do now? This may give some insight into future ministry opportunities.

6. Would you consider doing some sort of MA or MAR on line or doing some on campus modules 1, 2, or 3 times a year for a week at a time for a few years?

7. Did you know that all of those criteria which you have set will make it hard to get all of the education needed for what you want to do just in the one area?

These are just 7 I came up with "off the top of my head!" I have 4 seminary/grad school of religion degrees and a Bible College degree so circumstances like yours are close to my heart. And it is certainly a formidable challenge but nothing our Father cannot handle.

It seems to me that the "call" in the beginning is to a closer walk and fellowship with Christ and then if there is a vocational call it broadens out as we go along. It took me 21 years and much family and personal sacrifice to do what God had called me to do and finish the course in order to teach. But, I did not know God's call to teach college of seminary was on my life until I had nearly finished my first seminary degree.

I will mention this, it is something that I kinda' sorta' wish I had done. It would have meant a second major move for me.

You said you were interested in doing research. You might want to pick up an MLS degree, the Master of Library Science. I know there is a program there in the Atlanta area. Then you can make a living AS you work on other degrees and such and can minister too. Just a thought.

I hope some of this helps. I am willing to talk via PM or email. Fell free to contact me.

sdg!:smilewinkgrin:

rd

 

Follow up

Dave,

Preachinjesus is telling you correctly. You will become slowly what the seminary you attend puts in you and there is no way not to be influenced by it (notice the double negative for emphasis!).

I would say to look at the Atlanta Consortium of seminaries. It is ecumenical but you would probably get an education that is more in line with where we are here on the BB and where you are as a Southern Baptist.

And on one point I need to make a rather small disagreement. Our "Big 6" SBC Seminaries will do a fine job for you. NEVER BE AFRAID of our seminaries, especially on the doctoral level. I would personally prefer Southern, Southeastern, and NOBTS just now!

You might want to check out Liberty University's Master of Arts in Religion (MAR). It is a very difficult program and some on the BB have or are doing this degree. It might possibly get you into a secular university to study history or some other discipline.

I would check out the MLS programs there.

sdg!:thumbs:

rd

 

Purpose of SBC Seminaries

To all who are reading this thread:

I have not read finely all of the thread replies.

But, it must be remembered that the SBC Convention funds the "Big 6" in order to have SBC churches, pulpits, denominational workers, missionaries both at home and abroad supplied; ALSO/AND academics to teach the next generation of such.

The primary role of the SBC educational structure is to keep a steady stream of "full time Christian workers" "in the pipeline" as it were. It just so happens that more want and do go into formal academics than there are places for them either at the "Big 6" or on the local and state institutional levels.

Most, unlike myself or the worthy young man who started the OP, do not have any idea they are going to end up in some sort of academic setting. Who would want to start out with 10-15 years of hard academic training ahead of them in the very beginning when they are "called to preach?!"

Mytwocentsworth!

sdg!:thumbs:

rd

 

Short Follow up

To add to what Bro. Smith said above:

I am piecing and patching some things together here.

In response to Dave's OP. It must be kept in tension that the "Big 6" will more than likely NOT HIRE anyone who is not seminary trained or who does not have at least one seminary degree.

The MDiv degree (usually earned at one of the "Big 6") is usually the "union card" or "minimum requirement" degree to teach at one of the seminaries and many of the state institutions that have a religion's dept.

Major exceptions have and can be made however. It someone has written widely or they "are outstanding in their field" for whatever reason, then sometimes they will/can be hired. But, TAKE NOTE; these are the exceptions and NOT the rule.

A few things you also need to know:

First, network and make many friends along the way.

Secondly, if you are not going to get the MDiv from one of the "Big 6" then you MUST do something that will set you apart.

Third, join and attend the professional conferences EARLY.

Fourth, write much, often, and in as many venues as possible.

Fifth, take leadership roles in your local church.

Sixth, take leadership roles on all/every denominational level. You must be known. This will help enhance #1 above.

I believe you will find all of this information useful.

But, DO NOT under any circumstances discount the sovereignty of God and his ability to place you where He wants you. But, also do not use this belief as an excuse not to prepare yourself to be "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed!"

FYI!

sdg!

rd