Podcast Episode #537
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How ministers are trained has radically changed over the past few decades thanks mainly to the rise of digital training. Today, we discuss these changes and where they might be headed.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- The pace of change in the church is faster than it’s ever been.
- Online degrees are great for convenience, but you typically don’t build the relationships with students or professors like you would an on-campus degree.
- Co-vocational ministry jobs are increasing as ministers want to keep their presence in the business world because of the ministry opportunities it presents.
- Music ministry, student ministry, and children’s ministry have radically changed in the past two decades.
The seven patterns we discuss are:
- The digital trend is not slowing
- Degrees are becoming shorter
- Positive reports on the blended approach
- Full-time on campus has advantages
- Certification as an alternative to degrees
- Training must meet the needs of the growing co-vocational numbers
- Shortages in key positions due to lack of ministry training in those areas
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
Episode Sponsors
Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Midwestern offers more than 25 degrees at both undergraduate and masters level that are fully attainable online. From Business to Bible, Counseling to Christian education, prepare for your future at your own pace and in your own location.
Find out more at mbts.edu/online.
Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen’s staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.
To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen’s Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.
Feedback
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Online so much better, most professors teach stuff in class then say read this book, they quiz you on the book and ask you to type papers on them. Every now and then they will quiz you on what is taught in class but rarely. Even then its straight off the powerpoint or they are teaching the book that you can read for yourself. If you want to build relationships go spend a week with the local DOM and meet pastors. Relationships at college aren’t necessarily better than relationships with experienced pastors in areas that you are called to serve in. Colleges are teaching how to be theologians not how to be a pastor. Most of the BA degrees in ministry are all more than 120 hours. (Southern Baptist Colleges in the southeast, Baptist College Florida, Samford, Uni mobile, Mississippi college, any of the Seminaries) etc. First two years of bible college is practically a waste if you grew up in a christian school that teaches bible. I see so many similarities between my high school and college in peoples stages of there faith. Which makes college on campus feel like High school because a lot of kids did not go to a christian school so theology topics are all they discuss and get riled up about…predestination for example. If they talked about practical steps to reach/ serve people as much as they did on predestination then 75% of people on most college campuses would actually accomplish stuff and show people what Jesus is all about. I say this all lovingly and as student who has been on campus and currently switching to online. Churches want to see what you have done and what you are doing not what you learned at college.
Evidently, you did not attend Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis. They are personable but they will put you through the “ringer” academically. If you didn’t learn something there about kingdom work, it is your fault. Sorry you have such a low opinion about higher education in Christian areas. I attended on campus at MABTS in both the MDiv and DMin and I would not give anything for what I learn and the experiences the Lord allowed me to encounter. Sorry to hear about your opinion concerning higher education. Praying for you brother.
I think that’s aweomse one of my fav professors is actually a grad from mid America and I have heard nothing but great things, I’m simply saying schools in general need to help students get experience more than just reading books, listening to lectures and typing papers. I grew up as a PK and in a Christian school I have seen and been through a lot…so for me my first two years of college just seemed a repeat and a waste because I was wanting leadership and practical things of what to do when “xyz” happens. I think there is a great purpose for Christian colleges no doubt. Im just saying to say the relationships you build are important on campus I do not fully agree because I have learned so much more by building relationships with already pastors and missionaries…they are the ones who have been through it all. I am currently serving as a Student minister under a pastor who is almost 87…it is awesome to be apart of. And love the ministry with everything I have. I appreciate your prayers and advice I will look into MABTS for sure!
To quote “First two years of bible college is practically a waste if you grew up in a christian [sic] school that teaches bible.” Except that called ministers don’t always go to Christian colleges and may not have that level of foundation.
Without the face-to-face interaction of seminary one misses the growth opportunity where you have to defend your faith and theology to someone who wants to know. Justification for what you believe. Defending my theology to my peer who had a different experience of God and a doctrinal statement than I did was essential to having the ability to meet people where they are.
I understand not all go to a Christian school I’m saying for me I was blessed bc I was able to and grow up as a pastor kid so I have seen and been through lot…but I still think an internship under a very wise church leader and experience counts more than a degree.
I believe you are the exception rather than the rule. Effective pastoring and ministry is less about the source of the education and more about the personal qualities of the ones called.
Not a PK. My mentoring was lifelong regarding my faith. But in my case, while I lived a faithful Christian life my principal education was math and science and my first career was 22+ years of military service. Those years were formative to my skills as a pastor. My attendance at a brick-and-mortar seminary helped refine my theology and theological statements; having to related to others like me was helpful.
As I see it (and as I preach it) one is not better than the other; they simply are.