kceaster
Puritan Board Junior
Originally posted by ARStager
Speaking of "virtual" seminaries.
What do you folks think of this as an educational innovation? Good or harmful? Or not necessarily either?
I know that WSC folks are highly critical of anything that smells like minister-degree-by-mail-order. No cariactures from me. Just curiosities.
I tend to think that a traditional residency is ideal, for theology is supposed to happen within the context of the church rather than individually. Obviously no degree is essentially "individual", virtually-earned or not.
I am having a hard time dealing with this subject myself. On the one hand, I really do see the point that brick and mortar seminaries are making. They can't really evaluate you, nor do you get the kind of one on one teaching that really helps. They are also right when they make the claim that some men take advantage of the distance model so that they can get their degree easy and without much work on their part.
However, I am working hard. I study just as much as the resident students. I work a 40 hour a week job to provide for my family, which some of them may or may not do. I have opportunities with my home church to minister and apply what I learn. Some residents have very limited opportunity in that area. I am being mentored by, In my humble opinion, two of the best ministers in the OPC, whereas if I moved to residency, I would not have these men as guides.
For me, I am torn between two philosophies. I know I am losing out on the personal experiences that only residency can provide. But on the same token, if I moved to residency, I may lose out on a very rich experience in my local church.
I exhorted last night for the first time, surrounded by my brothers and sisters who love me and want to help me in this endeavor, and I must say, I would lose something very valuable if I had to move to SC. Or perhaps, I could still remain in this type of relationship, only from a distance. I know it is feasible for me to come back and do monthly exhortations, but I would still miss out on the day to day ministry experiences.
Even as I type this, I know that I may have to move. My family and I are making plans so that if the time comes, we will do it. Part of the reason for this is because I keep hitting roadblocks and feel that I am very much "outside looking in" at most of what happens at GPTS.
I wish I could have both.
However, God trains the man, not the seminary. He does indeed use means, and the seminary and professors are part of that. But I trust in Him to do what is best for me. Only He knows what He has called me to do. So I will wait on Him.
I think there is value that may not be measured in training a man in the local church. I hope that brick and mortar seminaries will never lose sight of this.
In Christ,
KC