No Pampering at Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention

[Jerome]

There'll be no salon to get a man-icure at this SBC seminary!

TRUSTEES: GGBTS relocation to be 'mission-focused'

"'We have decided not to put in a preschool or daycare, a gym or other facilities that often appear on seminary campuses but don't necessarily contribute to its educational goals,' Iorg said. The seminary's new campuses are being specifically designed to operate efficiently and with a sharp focus on raising future ministry leaders, he reported."

 

[Greektim]

There'll be no salon to get a man-icure at this SBC seminary!

TRUSTEES: GGBTS relocation to be 'mission-focused'

"'We have decided not to put in a preschool or daycare, a gym or other facilities that often appear on seminary campuses but don't necessarily contribute to its educational goals,' Iorg said. The seminary's new campuses are being specifically designed to operate efficiently and with a sharp focus on raising future ministry leaders, he reported."

Is Gateway a colloquial way of referring to Golden Gate? Are they changing their name since they appear to be moving away from San Fran? Am I just out of the loop?

Yep... I should've just kept reading... Gateway Baptist Seminary. SMH

 

[Jerome]

They bought a vacant building near the Ontario, Calif. airport. The city calls itself "The Gateway to Southern California". Hence, Gateway Seminary.

http://www.ggbts.edu/news.aspx?item=175

Golden Gate Seminary announces campus purchase; requests name change

. . . . .

In contrasting the seminary’s new model with other campus models, Iorg raised the question, “What about other buildings like gyms, swimming pools, exercise rooms and childcare centers? While there is nothing wrong with having them, they are not necessary for accomplishing our mission. When millions of people have not yet heard the name of Jesus, our school must model frugality and simplicity to prioritize resources for global missions.

 

[go2church]

That's fine...just don't complain when students go elsewhere.

 

[reverist]

That's fine...just don't complain when students go elsewhere.

I actually like the *reasoning* behind the decision. Doing something because other seminaries do it may or may not work out, but it's not a good enough reason to do it. Instead, everything must be run by the "why" of the purpose of the seminary. If it passes the "why" test and helps the seminary achieve a particular goal that is associated with that "why," then great. If they feel it doesn't, good on them for keeping the main thing the main thing.

 

[preachinjesus]

While I think Gateway is a strategically located seminary, I am holding my breath to see how this whole change goes. Not just the name, but the entire project lacks a credibility of vision that has been the impetus for successful seminary relaunches or geographic moves.

As for the topic of the OP, I loved the RAC at SWBTS. Call me shallow (which plenty have) but it provided a needed break and relaxation (through working out) that benefitted me during my time on the Hill. There are some educational amenities that are helpful, others that aren't. I don't see what the current crop of SBC seminaries offers as being excessive or distracting. Like it or not, these kinds of amenities are part of higher education today.