Cheapest seminaries or colleges offering reformed, accredited, online only undergraduate degrees?

[Deleted member 13126]

I'm finishing my last year at Metropolitan Tabernacle's London Reformed Baptist Seminary and am praying about continuing my education. I dropped out in high school and have no formal college education to speak of. I work full-time as the sole bread winner of a family of six, so I would need something inexpensive that could be completed online. If I don't continue my education at Geneva Reformed Seminary, my preference would be for where ever I go to offer an accredited bachelor's degree. Does anyone have any suggestions along these lines?

Thanks in advance, beloved.

 

[Polanus1561]

You are looking at a Bachelors in Divinity?

 

[Deleted member 13126]

You are looking at a Bachelors in Divinity?

My understanding of a BDiv is that it is terminal, so I wanted to potentially pursue an MDiv. I wanted to try to leave the door open to continuing my education. Sam Waldron's Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary ('CBTS') accepted me as a visiting student and offered to accept me as a provisional student in their MDiv program once I finish at LRBS and receive my (unaccredited) four year certificate from them, with the recommendation of my elders. However, as I'm moving from a Reformed Baptist church to a Free Presbyterian church, it may complicate that offer, so I'm exploring other options (in addition to GRS).

 

[Polanus1561]

My understanding of a BDiv is that it is terminal, so I wanted to potentially pursue an MDiv. I wanted to try to leave the door open to continuing my education. Sam Waldron's Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary ('CBTS') accepted me as a visiting student and offered to accept me as a provisional student in their MDiv program once I finish at LRBS and receive my (unaccredited) four year certificate from them, with the recommendation of my elders. However, as I'm moving from a Reformed Baptist church to a Free Presbyterian church, it may complicate that offer, so I'm exploring other options (in addition to GRS).

Don’t understand. A BDiv is enough for ordination. Anyway GPTS has a BDiv program.

 

[iainduguid]

Just FYI, ATS has loosened its accreditation requirements to allow schools to admit as many students without undergraduate degrees into MDiv programs. Provided you can keep up with the pace, there's no reason why you shouldn't sign up for an MDiv degree.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Just FYI, ATS has loosened its accreditation requirements to allow schools to admit as many students without undergraduate degrees into MDiv programs. Provided you can keep up with the pace, there's no reason why you shouldn't sign up for an MDiv degree.

Thank you, Professor. Are there any schools in particular which have MDiv programs that can be completed entirely online that you would recommend?

 

[iainduguid]

As the Dean of Westminster's online program, obviously I'm going to recommend ours. It's not cheap, but there's a big difference between cheap/free programs and a high quality program, especially if you have ambitions to go to further study. However, if your ambitions lie in ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church, it would make sense to consult you pastor. They likely have a seminary of their own that they would recommend (at least the FP's Scotland do, and I'd be surprised in the FP's of Northern Ireland don't also).

 

[Charles Johnson]

Don’t understand. A BDiv is enough for ordination. Anyway GPTS has a BDiv program.

Ordination where? Here in Peru a BDiv would be considered sufficient, but in the US an mdiv is required. For example, in the OPC a man can only be ordained without an MDIV by a vote of the general assembly.

 

[Polanus1561]

Ordination where? Here in Peru a BDiv would be considered sufficient, but in the US a mdiv is required. For example, in the OPC a man can only be ordained without an MDIV by a vote of the general assembly.

Per PCA BCO 21.4 it looks sufficient. OP is Reformed Baptist so if he is gifted enough, only having a Bdiv would not be a hindrance for the local church to ordain him.

 

[Jake]

Ordination where? Here in Peru a BDiv would be considered sufficient, but in the US an mdiv is required. For example, in the OPC a man can only be ordained without an MDIV by a vote of the general assembly.

I think a B.Div is considered equivalent to an M.Div. The curriculum is identical at many seminaries. In the past, pretty much all seminaries gave a Bachelor's of Divinity degree and you can still find some older ministers who have this degree from recognized seminaries even completed a B.A. first. Nowadays, many seminaries will award a B.Div to a student who enters without a bachelor's degree beforehand and the M.Div to a student who has completed a bachelor's degree, but the curriculum for each is the same.

For example, GPTS: https://gpts.edu/degrees-programs/
"Reflecting our core value of Accessibility (see our Mission & Values Page) we offer a Bachelor’s of Divinity degree for qualifying students. Applicants must be men 30 years of age or older, who are endorsed by a session/church to pursue a course of theological education. The program is identical to the MDiv."

I know GPTS is not accredited, but they mainly serve the OPC and PCA.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Per PCA BCO 21.4 it looks sufficient. OP is Reformed Baptist so if he is gifted enough, only having a Bdiv would not be a hindrance for the local church to ordain him.

The FPCNA has no such gifted brethren designation to my knowledge. Whether or not I'm called to full-time vocational ministry is still a matter of prayer, as well as whether or not to answer such a call within the FPCNA and come under the care of the presbytery. In the mean time I've been given opportunities to present the gospel to lost and needy sinners with tracts while accompanying open air preachers. Evangelism is a burden of mine, but also a privilege. It is well with my soul.

I think a B.Div is considered equivalent to an M.Div. The curriculum is identical at many seminaries. In the past, pretty much all seminaries gave a Bachelor's of Divinity degree and you can still find some older ministers who have this degree from recognized seminaries even completed a B.A. first. Nowadays, many seminaries will award a B.Div to a student who enters without a bachelor's degree beforehand and the M.Div to a student who has completed a bachelor's degree, but the curriculum for each is the same.

For example, GPTS: https://gpts.edu/degrees-programs/
"Reflecting our core value of Accessibility (see our Mission & Values Page) we offer a Bachelor’s of Divinity degree for qualifying students. Applicants must be men 30 years of age or older, who are endorsed by a session/church to pursue a course of theological education. The program is identical to the MDiv."

I know GPTS is not accredited, but they mainly serve the OPC and PCA.

For me, I've tried to avoid considering the B.Div because I believe it is a terminal degree, meaning it couldn't be built upon or added to. In my research, it does seem that the B.Div and M.Div coursework is exactly the same, with the M.Div having a taller hedge (read: barrier to entry) around it. However, while I don't have a Bachelor's degree, some seminaries seem to be willing to admit me into their M.Div programs provisionally. I could be wrong, but I believe if I wanted to pursue a ThM or a PhD that a M.Div would be suited than a B.Div to continuing education. I could be operating with some patently false presuppositions. I would welcome any and all corrections to my thinking on this, as I am not an educated man, nor have I historically even considered seeking out the accolades of men.

 

[alexanderjames]

Do you plan to work full-time, look after a family of six and complete an MDiv or equivalent at the same time? Is that possible?

 

[Deleted member 13126]

Do you plan to work full-time, look after a family of six and complete an MDiv or equivalent at the same time? Is that possible?

This is a very fair question. By His grace I've been able to do this with LRBS in a four year unaccredited certificate-based program, which I will be finishing this year. I will also need to pursue some industry certifications for the professional, secular work I'm engaged in. With God all things are possible. Please don't read my reply as a gracious dismissal of the concern you've expressed. Know that it's on my mind and is a matter of prayer for my family and I also.

 

[iainduguid]

If you are seriously thinking about a ThM or PhD, then you need to study in a high quality MDiv program (i.e. not free or low cost - unless you are thinking of an unaccredited PhD, which is not really a qualification to do anything). It would be good to ask why you would want a ThM or PhD? Is it to teach at a college or seminary? Or simply ministry enrichment/continuing education? Those are different life goals that have different tracks to get there. And there aren't enough teaching positions even now for those who already have high quality PhD's. When I left Grove City College, there were over a hundred applications for my position.

If you are thinking about pastoral ministry (and maybe further study for ministry enrichment), then even with a BDiv, you could probably find something low cost that would serve your goals. Or you could probably get access into an MDiv even without a bachelors, especially if you are a little older. But the most important point is to make sure that you are studying at a school recognized and approved by the ministry context in which you want to serve.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

If you are seriously thinking about a ThM or PhD, then you need to study in a high quality MDiv program (i.e. not free or low cost - unless you are thinking of an unaccredited PhD, which is not really a qualification to do anything). It would be good to ask why you would want a ThM or PhD? Is it to teach at a college or seminary? Or simply ministry enrichment/continuing education? Those are different life goals that have different tracks to get there. And there aren't enough teaching positions even now for those who already have high quality PhD's. When I left Grove City College, there were over a hundred applications for my position.

If you are thinking about pastoral ministry (and maybe further study for ministry enrichment), then even with a BDiv, you could probably find something low cost that would serve your goals. Or you could probably get access into an MDiv even without a bachelors, especially if you are a little older. But the most important point is to make sure that you are studying at a school recognized and approved by the ministry context in which you want to serve.

Thank you, Professor. This is very wise counsel. I just turned 36, so I think I am a bit older, at least in this context. I will be keeping WTS as an option in prayer also (although ~$80k isn't cheap). Some of my thinking about continuing education with a ThM or PhD would be a way for me to have an opportunity to write or contribute to the Lord's work in a more tangible way apart from, or perhaps as a supplement to, full-time vocational ministry. I do see a fork in the road in the distance as to whether I'll continue trying to provide for my family with secular work or surrender this and pursue ministry full-time. Being able to provide for my family by writing or teaching in the future might be a middle road? That's where I'm at in my current thinking.

I concede that it could also be the case that I may have overestimated how much I can accomplish in an academic setting. I dropped out in high school, receiving a HSD through a JumpStart program in Florida and went straight to work. LRBS has been wonderful, but obviously isn't going to be as rigorous as something like an MDiv at WTS. I could enroll in a few proper college courses and quickly find myself as a fish out of water. It's a distinct possibility, so I'm trying to gather information while also continuing in prayer and trying to be realistic.

 

[davejonescue]

This may be off here, so please disregard it if you want; but really consider what is going to benefit your family most; because that is your main ministry now. Never look at something like handing out tracts, or assisting an open-air preacher in evangelism as if you are on the sideline or a secondary placement; we each have a part to play. From the ladies and gentlemen who serve the coffee at church, to the worlds most renown theological orator; God has placed us where we are at for the ultimate consummation of his decretive will. The reason I say this, is because brother, you live in a time where so much FREE theology is on the internet; specifically for the training of men and women who want to serve God; from some of the most renown seminaries, that unless you "have" to pay for theological education via a vocational standard, dont. If you feel mainly called to evangelism; as opposed to formal Pastoral duties, nobody on the street is probably going to ask you for a copy of your M.Div transcripts. On the other hand, if your secular certs will lead to more time and revenue to evangelize; allocate your funding towards that, and utilize the free resources online for your theological training. You do not need a degree to write books; they stand on the accuracy of their content, not on the amount of degrees you have. Also, if you are switching denominations, get settled in first, and see if your local body even deems you fit for pastoral service. There is no shame what so ever if you are not. God has not gifted everyone to be Pastors. I dont know how Presbyterian polity regards laymen evangelizing their communities. I can only reference Baptist polity that allows all believers to evangelize, keeping a distinction between personal evangelism and open air preaching. But if personal, public & community evangelism is allowed by your denomination, for all believers; then there are tons, and I mean tons of free resources that would train you to be effective in that regard. RTS alone has about 30 classes on their app. Covenant has about the same if not more. Even GPTS has some classes on Sermon Audio. Unless you know you are either going to be a professor, or a pastor; I would seek the no-cost options for now. But again, this is just my opinion. But as someone once said, "if there is anyway to receive theological training without taking out loans, do it." And today, because of the generosity of many seminaries, there is.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

This may be off here, so please disregard it if you want; but really consider what is going to benefit your family most; because that is your main ministry now. Never look at something like handing out tracts, or assisting an open-air preacher in evangelism as if you are on the sideline or a secondary placement; we each have a part to play. From the ladies and gentlemen who serve the coffee at church, to the worlds most renown theological orator; God has placed us where we are at for the ultimate consummation of his decretive will. The reason I say this, is because brother, you live in a time where so much FREE theology is on the internet; specifically for the training of men and women who want to serve God; from some of the most renown seminaries, that unless you "have" to pay for theological education via a vocational standard, dont. If you feel mainly called to evangelism; as opposed to formal Pastoral duties, nobody on the street is probably going to ask you for a copy of your M.Div transcripts. On the other hand, if your secular certs will lead to more time and revenue to evangelize more; allocate your funding towards that, and utilize the free resources online for your theological training. You do not need a degree to write books; they stand on the accuracy of their content, not on the amount of degrees you have. Also, if you are switching denominations, get settled in first, and see if your local body even deems you fit for pastoral service. There is no shame what so ever if you are not. God has not gifted everyone to be Pastors. I dont know how Presbyterian polity regards laymen evangelizing their communities. I can only reference Baptist polity that allows all believers to evangelize, keeping a distinction between personal evangelism and open air preaching. But if personal, public & community evangelism is allowed by your denomination, for all believers; then there are tons, and I mean tons of free resources that would train you to be effective in that regard. RTS alone has about 30 classes on their app. Covenant has about the same if not more. Even GPTS has some classes on Sermon Audio. Unless you know you are either going to be a professor, or a pastor; I would seek the no-cost options for now. But again, this is just my opinion. But as someone once said, "if there is anyway to receive theological training without taking out loans, do it." And today, because of the generosity of many seminaries, there is.

Always an encouragement to hear from you, Brother. Thank you for sharing this, I assure you I have taken it to heart!

 

[davejonescue]

Always an encouragement to hear from you, Brother. Thank you for sharing this, I assure you I have taken it to heart!

Thank you brother, I just can kind of relate because I have had to choose whether pumping money into a theological program or using the stuff online, But just wanted to show you how diverse the offerings are; for instance, below are just two, but specifically on Evangelism, one from MABTS, and the other from SEBTS. One on Personal Evangelism and the other on Evangelism in general. The "PE" lectures are at the bottom of the page of the link.

Michael Spradlin

President of the most awesome seminary and college in the world. Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

vimeo.com

EVA on Vimeo

Join the web’s most supportive community of creators and get high-quality tools for hosting, sharing, and streaming videos in gorgeous HD with no ads.

vimeo.com

 

[TheInquirer]

RTS Global is fairly affordable and 100% online for an MA. MDiv usually requires some kind of physical presence at most places from what I’ve seen. Like others have said, work with your church - its unclear to me whether you are remaining a Baptist or becoming a Presbyterian so hard to advise further.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

its unclear to me whether you are remaining a Baptist or becoming a Presbyterian so hard to advise further.

Unclear to you and I both, Brother, unclear to you and I both. I don't think I'll ever be a Presbyterian, but I think it may not be outside of the realm of possibility for me to wind up a Free Presbyterian. I acknowledge that possibility with great hesitation. Presently I plan to go to glory a Reformed Baptist, but I also didn't know that FPCNA even existed until February of this year. It was a curve ball, to be sure!

 

[davejonescue]

Unclear to you and I both, Brother, unclear to you and I both. I don't think I'll ever be a Presbyterian, but I think it may not be outside of the realm of possibility for me to wind up a Free Presbyterian. I acknowledge that possibility with great hesitation. Presently I plan to go to glory a Reformed Baptist, but I also didn't know that FPCNA even existed until February of this year. It was a curve ball, to be sure!

If you are a Reformed Baptist, and you are seeking ministry credentials within that denomination; try Reformed Baptist Seminary. It is $80 a credit, ARTS Accredited (Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries,) and can be done completely online. They also have a pretty extensive no-cost audit selection, with syllabi included (which is the main basis for my personal theological education,) so you could be edified without paying. I dont think they take financial aid though.

Reformed Baptist Seminary

Start Your Application

rbs.org

 

[HauerVos]

I'm finishing my last year at Metropolitan Tabernacle's London Reformed Baptist Seminary and am praying about continuing my education. I dropped out in high school and have no formal college education to speak of. I work full-time as the sole bread winner of a family of six, so I would need something inexpensive that could be completed online. If I don't continue my education at Geneva Reformed Seminary, my preference would be for where ever I go to offer an accredited bachelor's degree. Does anyone have any suggestions along these lines?

Thanks in advance, beloved.

If you're looking for a bachelor's degree that's as close to reformed as possible, Erskine or Boyce (Southern Seminary's undergrad) might be your best bet. Neither are traditionally reformed in a confessional sense, though Erskine is the official school of the ARP and they give generous discounts to PCA and EPC church members from what I understand.

Personal Anecdote: I just graduated from Brewton-Parker College (BPC) as a fully online student. As a DISCLAIMER, BPC is NOT reformed or even Calvinistic. BPC is a South Georgia Baptist school that is regionally accredited and very affordable. Now, about a decade ago, they had a financial aid scandal and a subsequent terrible hire at president that almost took them under. They had to cut more than half of their programs and they nearly lost accrediation. However, Dr. Echols (president since 2015) has turned the school around.

I was one of the first two graduates from their online program and my fellow grad was also reformed. He's starting at RTS Orlando this summer and I'm moving to Escondido for Westminster West in July. Most of the professors are Molinists, but they were respectful and accommodating to our reformed interests and upheld inerrancy. For example, in my Paul class, we engaged heavily with EP Sanders, Dunn, N.T. Wright, and even guys like Douglas Campbell. Knowing that we were confessionally reformed, our professor introduced us to Reformed literature that engaged the New Perspective on Paul and other aberrant trends in Pauline scholarship. This meant a lot and was a common experience with the professors.

Anyway, let me know if you have any questions. Disregard if this was at all unhelpful.

 

[Polanus1561]

https://reformationbiblecollege.org/academics I think this is the most reformed Bachelors one can get.

 

[Solparvus]

If you are seriously thinking about a ThM or PhD, then you need to study in a high quality MDiv program (i.e. not free or low cost - unless you are thinking of an unaccredited PhD, which is not really a qualification to do anything). It would be good to ask why you would want a ThM or PhD? Is it to teach at a college or seminary? Or simply ministry enrichment/continuing education? Those are different life goals that have different tracks to get there. And there aren't enough teaching positions even now for those who already have high quality PhD's. When I left Grove City College, there were over a hundred applications for my position.

If you are thinking about pastoral ministry (and maybe further study for ministry enrichment), then even with a BDiv, you could probably find something low cost that would serve your goals. Or you could probably get access into an MDiv even without a bachelors, especially if you are a little older. But the most important point is to make sure that you are studying at a school recognized and approved by the ministry context in which you want to serve.

I seriously entertained the idea of a PhD, then one of the faculty here (a PhD himself) gave me a dose of reality. You'll spend tens of thousands to do 4-7 years of extra work (on top of work and family) only to find that there are extremely limited jobs, which I understand may not even pay well, and granting positions tends to be about who knows who, anyway. In any case, a PhD is extremely focused, so you'll become an expert in a narrow field. You need to have a focused purpose and some original contribution that you burn to earth up for the sake of the church. I just decided that I'll do just fine studying and striving to serve the best I can with the opportunity I've got, and it's a fantastic one.

I'm seriously grateful for the conservatives in scholarship who do great things to advance the kingdom with their position. I benefit so much from them. However, church history is filled with faithful men who had been with Jesus, got their MDiv or equivalent and were contented with that, and they turned the world upside down. And at least on paper, the disciples didn't even have the MDiv.

 

[Polanus1561]

I seriously entertained the idea of a PhD, then one of the faculty here (a PhD himself) gave me a dose of reality. You'll spend tens of thousands to do 4-7 years of extra work (on top of work and family) only to find that there are extremely limited jobs, which I understand may not even pay well, and granting positions tends to be about who knows who, anyway. In any case, a PhD is extremely focused, so you'll become an expert in a narrow field. You need to have a focused purpose and some original contribution that you burn to earth up for the sake of the church. I just decided that I'll do just fine studying and striving to serve the best I can with the opportunity I've got, and it's a fantastic one.

I'm seriously grateful for the conservatives in scholarship who do great things to advance the kingdom with their position. I benefit so much from them. However, church history is filled with faithful men who had been with Jesus, got their MDiv or equivalent and were contented with that, and they turned the world upside down. And at least on paper, the disciples didn't even have the MDiv.

Jake, you should correspond with Mark Koller who just got his PhD 2 weeks ago. Of course, you may have already done this.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

I seriously entertained the idea of a PhD, then one of the faculty here (a PhD himself) gave me a dose of reality. You'll spend tens of thousands to do 4-7 years of extra work (on top of work and family) only to find that there are extremely limited jobs, which I understand may not even pay well, and granting positions tends to be about who knows who, anyway. In any case, a PhD is extremely focused, so you'll become an expert in a narrow field. You need to have a focused purpose and some original contribution that you burn to earth up for the sake of the church. I just decided that I'll do just fine studying and striving to serve the best I can with the opportunity I've got, and it's a fantastic one.

I'm seriously grateful for the conservatives in scholarship who do great things to advance the kingdom with their position. I benefit so much from them. However, church history is filled with faithful men who had been with Jesus, got their MDiv or equivalent and were contented with that, and they turned the world upside down. And at least on paper, the disciples didn't even have the MDiv.

Thank you for this encouragement. It’s really not about us so much as it’s about Him.

He must increase and we must decrease. MDivs or not.

 

[TheInquirer]

I think there is a great need in the church for men who master Master’s level content.

 

[davejonescue]

"I think there is a great need in the church for men who master Master's level content."

This then begs the question; what are we to do with this generation? In the history of education, especially theological education; at no previous time has more educational facilitation via. books, conferences, aids, guides, softwares, lectures, or courses; been offered free to the common Christian with a simple internet connection. At some point we have to cast off the old shroud and realize that previous modes were necessitated by a lack of viable alternatives; but in this generation; formal education is now optional, and the alternatives are closer to the traditional, than Equate brand is to name brand.

Also considering 43-45% of the US working population makes at or slightly above minimum wage, and the exuberant costs of Seminary; there should be a trend of some other way. The Bible never mentions formal education or finances as prerequisites for ministry. While it is most definitely a blessing to those who can venture in that arena; we are already in an age where a greater level of resources is offered to the common man; than was offered to Augustine, Luther, or Calvin; potentially combined, or any theologian prior to 1900.

It is crazy to think about. It is no longer a matter of accessibility, but of desire. Who wants to put in the work?

 

[dsanch1120]

"I think there is a great need in the church for men who master Master's level content."

This then begs the question; what are we to do with this generation? In the history of education, especially theological education; at no previous time has more educational facilitation via. books, conferences, aids, guides, softwares, lectures, or courses; been offered free to the common Christian with a simple internet connection. At some point we have to cast off the old shroud and realize that previous modes were necessitated by a lack of viable alternatives; but in this generation; formal education is now optional, and the alternatives are closer to the traditional, than Equate brand is to name brand.

Also considering 43-45% of the US working population makes at or slightly above minimum wage, and the exuberant costs of Seminary; there should be a trend of some other way. The Bible never mentions formal education or finances as prerequisites for ministry. While it is most definitely a blessing to those who can venture in that arena; we are already in an age where a greater level of resources is offered to the common man; than was offered to Augustine, Luther, or Calvin; potentially combined, or any theologian prior to 1900.

It is crazy to think about. It is no longer a matter of accessibility, but of desire. Who wants to put in the work?

As someone who desires to enter ministry someday but am not at all in a position to attend seminary any time soon, this really resonates with me. Over the last year, I’ve listened to a ton of free RTS courses, read a lot of books, and have tried to be writing one roughly 15 page paper per quarter. I plan to study Greek and Hebrew when I have time as well. but this all being said, I still feel the need to pay the money and go to seminary if I want to be taken seriously as minister someday.

 

[davejonescue]

As someone who desires to enter ministry someday but am not at all in a position to attend seminary any time soon, this really resonates with me. Over the last year, I’ve listened to a ton of free RTS courses, read a lot of books, and have tried to be writing one roughly 15 page paper per quarter. I plan to study Greek and Hebrew when I have time as well. but this all being said, I still feel the need to pay the money and go to seminary if I want to be taken seriously as minister someday.

While I am not a seminarian, so take what I am about to say in that light; I think you really just need to weigh your options. The best way to do this is let the Bible direct your path. And do so with patience. This is how I would go about it.

1. Do you think that a pastor should go to seminary to be the best pastor they can be?
2. If you were to be a pastor, would you want to be the best pastor you could be?
3. Do you feel called to be a pastor, or simply in ministry?

Then I would ask myself the questions:

1. Do I have the financial resources to go to seminary?
2. Do I have the resources but just think its expensive?
3. Or am I simply not financially able?

Then I would look at the Bible and ask these questions:

1. If I am financially able, what does the Bible say we should reserve in fulfilling his commission? Anything?
2. If I am not financially able, what does the Bible say about loans? Are they ever painted in a good light?

Then, depending on those answers, I would consider the following?

1. Though I may desire to be a pastor currently, am I called to be one evidenced by Gods provision to be one? That is if you think pastors should go to seminary.

2. Or, do I desire to simply be useful to the kingdom in whatever area God directs me, evidenced by his provision to facilitate my placement in that position?

This reminds me of John Piper once speaking on egalitarianism; saying how you could lay 1000 Christian ministries before some women, but they will instead trouble over the one they cannot doctrinally facilitate.

Look within your soul, and ask yourself what do you think the people of God deserve? Who would you want to protect your wife if you had to take a long journey? A person who watched Youtube videos on Kung-Fu, or a person who travelled to Asia and learned personally from the Masters themselves?

If God has called you to this office, the gates of Hell will not be able to stop his provision from landing in your lap. You do not need to do what the Bible warns us against, and become a slave to the debtor; instead blessed are all those who wait upon Him.

Come to God with the attitude that you are willing to serve him anywhere, doing anything. And if he wants to make you a minister no power in the world can stop him, no lack or attainment of degree can refrain him, nor could we stop his hand if he so decides.

Keep doing what you are doing, be faithful; and watch him open opportunities and doors you now deem impossible. Dont rush it. There are many a seminarian up to their gills in student loans that thought they had to be in the pulpit by 25. God didnt activate Moses until he was 80, and he was only 1 of 2 out of how many Old Testament saints, to converse with our Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration. All things work to our good and His glory if we are his. And I highly doubt God will leave a man to a life of dormancy; who desires with all his heart to serve him faithfully.

By the way, might want to check out the website Biblingo for those languages. Also, I see you are 1689. If you can get a church recommendation, RBS (Reformed Baptist Seminary) is $80 per credit. That means if you can save $100 a month, you can go to seminary online; one course at a time. Why rush? Being a Pastor is the ministry position with the greatest responsibility. Train accordingly.