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trey dogg
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Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 26
 
   Posted 1/25/2004 8:21 AM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I'm a Jr. Youth Min major at Northwestern College in St Paul and I'm considering seminary... I'm not quite sure what kind of program I want to go into but my hope is that it would form a path to possibly work toward a D.Min, Lord willing. What I'm asking for are serious recommendations... I'd appreciate it.


on the whole, i think preparation H feels good...

meg: chris, you're hogging all the fans!
chris: well you're hogging all the ugly!
(from family guy)

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trey dogg
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Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 26
 
   Posted 1/28/2004 9:14 AM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Should I assume by the lack of response that I should not consider seminary?


on the whole, i think preparation H feels good...

meg: chris, you're hogging all the fans!
chris: well you're hogging all the ugly!
(from family guy)

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Archibaldo
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Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 32
 
   Posted 1/28/2004 9:34 AM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I think that you can expect a reply, but many of us have not attended seminary. I just graduated from North Central University (like 10 miles from you) and have had some of the same thoughts. I've put seminary on hold though, until i can pay for it without loans (God willing). I'm sure someone will have good information on seminary programs.


"anything less than passion is dog crap." -Paul Hurckman

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Tigress
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Date Joined Feb 2003
Total Posts : 1252
 
   Posted 1/28/2004 10:30 AM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hi Trey,
I don't know who on this board has graduated from seminary, but give it some time. They might not have seen your post yet. I'm sure they'll get back to you when they read it.


Tigress Tigress

"Name a shrub after me. Preferably one that's prickly and difficult to eradicate."

-Captain Jack Aubrey
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"

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gregw
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 47
 
   Posted 1/28/2004 11:14 AM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Bandit2Be sure to check out www.bethel.edu/seminary/!
I graduated from there a year ago and feel well prepared to pursue a PhD (which I plan to do sometime in the somewhat near future).

Greg
www.gregwoodard.com/pages/family_info.htm
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Wahoo
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Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 142
 
   Posted 1/28/2004 1:56 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Trey Dogg,

Don't listen to anybody else... This is your ticket man. You should valet cars for Piccadilly until you realize that you should have gone to seminary. And by then you'll have a wife and kids and you won't be able to afford it anyway...so don't even consider it.

Seriously, do you want some more abbreviations or do you really want to apply your skills. You are a gifted man so please don't let some pieces of paper validate you. I think Bethel would be a fine school so much that I've considered it myself. But my wife and I are probably going to learn Arabic first so that will have to wait.

Congratulations on your BA (or BS...)Bandit
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Tiggers
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 219
 
   Posted 1/30/2004 9:27 AM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hey Trey,

Glad to hear you are interested in Sem.; however, what area of study do you want to indulge in? For example, are you going into sem. for a future degree in teaching at a college, or Sem., or are you looking for a Sem. that with really guide you in a becoming a great pastor, councilor, youth pastor, missionary, etc. You see, this is the deal, different schools excel in different areas. Also look at your theological background, that is, if you’re an Open Theist then you will have to work twice as hard at a Sem. like Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Gordon-Conwell, Southern Baptist, etc. However, I attended Gordon-Conwell and loved it, even though I was considered a bit too liberal for them. Personally, I loved emerging myself in the Reformed culture especially since much of MY theology was heavily influenced by the likes of Roger Olson, Greg Boyd, & Karen McKinney from Bethel College. Gordon was an interesting change of pace…I loved it; furthermore, I grew stronger in my belief and learned to love my fellow hard determinist. Anyways, I will try to give you some ideas once you can get back to me with what your concentration might be in Sem., cool?

Warmly in Christ,
Tiggers King


“The notion that God uses evils as a means to such higher goods is, … incompatible with the doctrine that he is omnipotent, and therefore does not need to use deplorable means to achieve his ends” (J.L. Mackie).

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trey dogg
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Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 26
 
   Posted 2/4/2004 6:35 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Well of couse as I've stated, I am a youth min major. I know that Bethel has a program for that (I actually have Tiger McLuen as a prof for Jr/Sr High Ministry class right now). My hopes right now would to be in some sort of pastoring position, most likely a youth pastor or maybe a family pastor. I prefer to be versatile to some point in my work... I would like to have the possibility of become a professor if it becomes available to me. But now the focus is on youth or family ministry.

and in reality, my thoughts are that i may start out at Bethel.


on the whole, i think preparation H feels good...

meg: chris, you're hogging all the fans!
chris: well you're hogging all the ugly!
(from family guy)

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Tiggers
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 219
 
   Posted 2/6/2004 1:02 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
quote:
Originally posted by trey dogg

Well of couse as I've stated, I am a youth min major. I know that Bethel has a program for that (I actually have Tiger McLuen as a prof for Jr/Sr High Ministry class right now). My hopes right now would to be in some sort of pastoring position, most likely a youth pastor or maybe a family pastor. I prefer to be versatile to some point in my work... I would like to have the possibility of become a professor if it becomes available to me. But now the focus is on youth or family ministry.

and in reality, my thoughts are that i may start out at Bethel.




Hey Trey Dog,

I was a YOMI at Bethel College myself a while back. Well, for what it’s worth, I would definitely go M-Div, and not MA being that you want pastoral work, and if you attain a MA-Youth Ministry it won’t be worth as much outside of working with youth. Now, I would recommend taking your electives in the youth and counseling field, but stick with the reg. M-Div and don’t opt out of the languages (e.g., Greek, Hebrew, & Theological German if available). You see, if you want to go on to Doctoral work in theological studies you will be required to show competency/working knowledge in these languages and possibly French as well. It’s a long road, but worth it if you have the passion and the financial ability to go forward with it.

Warmly in Christ,
Tiggers

PS
I’m sure Bethel is a fine choice, but please note that certain denominations DO NOT except Bethel’s Master degree programs as acceptable to work as pastors in their church (e.g., United Methodist would not allow me to go to Bethel Seminary and receive an M-Div. to work in their denomination as a pastor; furthermore, the Pres. USA, also doesn’t look highly on Bethel’s programs). Some main line denominations look down on conservatives and feel that Bethel is far to theologically conservative (e.g., they are way past the whole women as head pastors issue, open theism, and their main controversy is the homosexual pastor issue, most likely). Anyways, the point is, be careful when you choose a seminary. I truly believe that Bethel is a wonderful Seminary, and I simply want you to know the ugly side of denominations and church politics. Best wishes to you, and pray hard in your decision.


“The notion that God uses evils as a means to such higher goods is, … incompatible with the doctrine that he is omnipotent, and therefore does not need to use deplorable means to achieve his ends” (J.L. Mackie).

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carole4reach
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Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 3
 
   Posted 2/10/2004 5:37 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Absolutely! I am also a youth ministry major at Goshen College and am planning on attending Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Northern Indiana. I think that this higher education is great and can only help your ministry.

However, I want to add two things:
1. Are you actively involved in a youth group? I have been a youth pastor for three years and let me tell you: You can study all you want, read every case study but it is a whole nother ballgame when you are finally in your own ministry context. There are situations out there that where NOT presented in the books and you have to deal with. This is more valuable than education---practice, practice, practice.
2. If God puts you in a ministry and you feel called to stay there, there is no shame in not going to Seminary. Mike Yaconelli never finished college, or seminary and look at what a wonderful prophetic voice he was.


"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."
(Gimli) - JRR Tolkien

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1Heart
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Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
 
   Posted 2/10/2004 9:57 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
[quote]Originally posted by trey dogg

and in reality, my thoughts are that i may start out at Bethel.

Hi Trey,

Nice to meet you. My husband graduated from seminary in 1994 - Cochrane, Alberta "Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary" and now we live in the great white North in Canada (The Frozen Chosen)

Sounds like you're figuring this out and there are lots of helpful people here Trey. I've come a long way in my thinking and have changed many of the things I believed since seminary days.

I guess if I could say anything to you about this (you know I'm going to) - I would tell you to make and keep Him the first love of your life. It is so incredibly easy in seminary to get caught up with hectic schedules, hot debates, ministry (all wonderful) and forget your First Love. It's kind of like marriage. You start out with stars in your eyes and soon the clouds roll in and you can't remember what it was that sparkled. There will be days like that. But stay close to the shepherd Trey. That is the one promise we can count on - If we draw close to Him, He'll draw close to us. That would be my prayer for you. It is a grand new adventure to embark on with Him.

Ask some people that you know love to pray - to pray for you - from the very beginning. Even now as you're deciding. God Bless you in this new adventure with Him.

Jo-Anne


"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."

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Tiggers
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 219
 
   Posted 2/11/2004 12:24 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
quote:
Originally posted by moon_river_j

[quote]Originally posted by trey dogg

and in reality, my thoughts are that i may start out at Bethel.

Hi Trey,

Nice to meet you. My husband graduated from seminary in 1994 - Cochrane, Alberta "Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary" and now we live in the great white North in Canada (The Frozen Chosen)

Sounds like you're figuring this out and there are lots of helpful people here Trey. I've come a long way in my thinking and have changed many of the things I believed since seminary days.

I guess if I could say anything to you about this (you know I'm going to) - I would tell you to make and keep Him the first love of your life. It is so incredibly easy in seminary to get caught up with hectic schedules, hot debates, ministry (all wonderful) and forget your First Love. It's kind of like marriage. You start out with stars in your eyes and soon the clouds roll in and you can't remember what it was that sparkled. There will be days like that. But stay close to the shepherd Trey. That is the one promise we can count on - If we draw close to Him, He'll draw close to us. That would be my prayer for you. It is a grand new adventure to embark on with Him.

Ask some people that you know love to pray - to pray for you - from the very beginning. Even now as you're deciding. God Bless you in this new adventure with Him.

Jo-Anne



Hey Trey,

Read Jo-Anne's quote...Approve It's so TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!! AMEN, Jo-Anne!

Warmly in Christ,
Tiggers


“The notion that God uses evils as a means to such higher goods is, … incompatible with the doctrine that he is omnipotent, and therefore does not need to use deplorable means to achieve his ends” (J.L. Mackie).

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natethree16
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Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 2
 
   Posted 2/12/2004 9:42 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hey buddy,
i'm currently in sem. if you have any questions, just ask me.
Flame2
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trey dogg
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Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 26
 
   Posted 3/6/2004 10:32 PM (GMT -6)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
hey everyone, i really appreciate the input (though i'm responding so late). to answer someone's question, i'm a volunteer leader at a youth group at river valley christian church in lake elmo mn. i had talked to both senior and youth pastors and they said they'd do whatever it takes for me to get internship or any ministry experience i need. pastor jon (senior) did recommend that i either take some time to do ministry in a church or do ministry alongside of seminary and he said that he'd make ways for me to do it at the church (which could be a real blessing).

i really do want to pursue seminary in order to become an authority on scripture and theology, something that many pastors are not in this day and age. i believe this can happen whether or not i'm in youth ministry. i also want to keep learning in a challenging atmosphere (i know i dont need seminary to do this).

again, thanks a lot... i welcome any thoughts.


on the whole, i think preparation H feels good...

meg: chris, you're hogging all the fans!
chris: well you're hogging all the ugly!
(from family guy)

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