Going to Bible college (Non traditional age)

[ReformedChris88]

Would you who are Pastors, graduates of bible college, recommend a man desiring to pursue the call of Pastor go to a bible college which does offer biblical languages?

Just brief background,
I am married, graduating with a two year degree in 2014 (Lord willing) and I'm in my mind twenties.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Would you who are Pastors, graduates of bible college, recommend a man desiring to pursue the call of Pastor go to a bible college which does offer biblical languages?

Just brief background,
I am married, graduating with a two year degree in 2014 (Lord willing) and I'm in my mind twenties.

Yes, as someone got a BA in Bible when I was in my early 30's, get as education as you can now especially in Greek and Hebrew. It will get harder the older you get.

God bless you!!

 

[Greektim]

Would you who are Pastors, graduates of bible college, recommend a man desiring to pursue the call of Pastor go to a bible college which does offer biblical languages?

Just brief background,
I am married, graduating with a two year degree in 2014 (Lord willing) and I'm in my mind twenties.

I went to Bible college and semi-regret it. I got my Greek in undergrad, but I would have preferred to go to a regular college and then on to seminary. Instead, I did a B.A., M.A., and now ThM (finish this summer!!!) route. I would prefer to go the B.A. at a regular Uni, and then MDiv ThM later.

The reason is, outside of pastoral ministry, your job opportunities (think bivocational pastor too) are limited. A Bible college degree is basically not a degree at all in most of the business world, unless you want to flip burgers. I have boxed myself in, vocationally, b/c of my Bible college background. Even PhD studies are limited b/c schools don't recognize my undergrad. In the long run, a basic undergrad degree from an institution (even Christian is not bad) as long as it is something reputable besides Bible. Then go on to seminary to get the good stuff.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have majored in classics (you would get Greek and Latin in the undergrad then), and then gone on to seminary. But alas...

 

[Herald]

Would you who are Pastors, graduates of bible college, recommend a man desiring to pursue the call of Pastor go to a bible college which does offer biblical languages?

Just brief background,
I am married, graduating with a two year degree in 2014 (Lord willing) and I'm in my mind twenties.

Personally I would not recommend a traditional Bible college. Go to a 4 year college, earn a degree that has the potential to help you make a living, and then go to seminary. There are many - many - young men who go to Bible college believing that God has called them into vocational ministry, only to find out that they are not called. Armed with only a Bible college degree they are not as well equipped as they could be to find a career.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Personally I would not recommend a traditional Bible college. Go to a 4 year college, earn a degree that has the potential to help you make a living, and then go to seminary. There are many - many - young men who go to Bible college believing that God has called them into vocational ministry, only to find out that they are not called. Armed with only a Bible college degree they are not as well equipped as they could be to find a career.

Sure they are .... Its called IFB Churches.

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

. . . I'm in my mind twenties.

I think my mind is in my twenties, the rest of me has certainly aged though.

There is a lot to consider Herald. How are you supporting your family now and what educational opportunities are there for you? Can you continue to support your family and go to school full time? Good points have been raised about having a general education that you can use in a secular career. In the end you need to pray and seek God, he will make it clear. My career has always been bivocational and I have a mix of secular/Bible college/ and Seminary degrees.

Never stop learning, keep studying your entire life. I was over 40 when I earned my doctorate and I am working on a second Master's now.

Study of Biblical languages will certainly help you, but there are other things to learn as well. I think most pastors would benefit more from a business management class than more Bible study. One of my favorite seminary classes was on acoustical design of auditoriums, but then I have studied engineering as well.

I will pray that God opens the right doors and makes his path clear to you.

 

[ReformedChris88]

My two year will be in (may 2014) Human Service Technology. (Think social work)
I have considered two majors for my undergrad outside of theology; business and psychology.

Would these be solid majors for men seeking ministry?

If not, what would be?

 

[Rhetorician]

Rhetorician Response

Would you who are Pastors, graduates of bible college, recommend a man desiring to pursue the call of Pastor go to a bible college which does offer biblical languages?

Just brief background,
I am married, graduating with a two year degree in 2014 (Lord willing) and I'm in my mind twenties.

Chris,

I did just what you are going and others are giving you good advise. I would think about whether or not you go on after the BC experience?!

If you are going to go on to seminary then you need a good solid BA of BS. But if you are only going to get one degree then the BC may be the best option.

But the thing you do not want to do is when you are 50 have to do something all over again.

Secondly, by getting into the game lame your are most certainly going to be a bi-vocational pastor. So you want a good way to make a living in order to take some of the stress and strain off of your wife and family.

My two cents worth!

"That is all." :smilewinkgrin:

 

[ReformedChris88]

Thank you all for your input.

 

[John of Japan]

Would you who are Pastors, graduates of bible college, recommend a man desiring to pursue the call of Pastor go to a bible college which does offer biblical languages?

Just brief background,
I am married, graduating with a two year degree in 2014 (Lord willing) and I'm in my mind twenties.

By all means, go. As for the Biblical languages, they will help greatly in your hermeneutics. And who knows, you may learn you have a talent for them!