athanatos
Puritan Board Freshman
Hey, I realize this is my first post, so I will introduce myself elsewhere soon.
In my junior year at Central Michigan Uni I felt God was calling me to seminary, for the purpose of teaching (Masters of Theo Studies is one option). I actually went from computer science to family studies (and counseling), and then changed again to a psychology and philosophy double-major. I was involved with campus ministry in part, then I was put into the position of director of college ministry for my church (a local baptist variety), and I've since graduated. Being involved in such a capacity, my heart grew for students all the more. I don't know if I could willingly bow out of the level of activity in a church. The last 8 months I have been involved with college ministry as volunteer staff for Campus Crusade for Christ.
So, I've been saving up for seminary, active in the ministry, seeing a lot of growth. I am looking forward to seminary this Fall. I applied to Calvin Seminary, Covenant Seminary, and Westminster Seminary (PA). I have been accepted to both CTS's for their MTS/MAET, but haven't heard back anything yet from WTS except that they received my app and it'll take a while (they still haven't cashed the check for the app fee).
Now it is getting down to the wire and I still don't know where to go. I've been praying, I've been talking with a lot of people about it (elders, peers, even faculty), and it is getting frustrating not being decisive. Here's my hang-up:
I don't know if I am focusing on minor issues and blowing them out of proportion, I don't know if I am not taking the issues seriously. I want a tight, Reformed (covenant theology) school, with some good academic reputation to allow for for Ph.D work afterward, and a good program for learning the languages and get a good sys theology.
Calvin was my top priority for over a year (I check out their campus in Oct '09) because of overall cost, location (it is 2 hr from home, family, friends, and my girlfriend -- I am not married or engaged), strong reformed stance, and all the fun stuff (beautiful campus, awesome library, reputation, etc.). Why it has dropped down on my list is this: I had been reading up on the CRC (part of the opinions expressed were from posters on this site!) and I'm not liking where they are headed. Ordination of women, Belhar confession, and bringing to the table things that, while important to discuss, are really not things we can fudge on. While you don't have to be CRC to enroll, I am not sure what significance it is if I am led to change to the M.Div and would be ordained in the CRC.
Westminster was on my radar back in '09 too. Being 12hr away and near a large, historical city isn't bad in my book. I really liked it there when I visited in March of '10. Nothing I disliked about the seminary, but it did cost more and was much farther away. (I didn't have a girlfriend at the time either, so now the 12 hr feels less appealing) ... I feel like ruling out WTS for now, thinking that it would definitely be an excellent school to go for a Ph.D.
Covenant was on back burner for me originally because their tuition was by far the highest (when in reality, their overall costs put together are just a little more than Calvin, and a bit less than WTS), I never checked out their campus in person, and it was pretty far away in a city I've never visited or really had an interest in. But I had been aware of them because of their free online courses, which I've taken (four?) and found were pretty tight. They are PCA, so similar content as WTS with a theologically conservative stance, but closer by a little bit, a little less costly, and has already accepted me.
Now, there are a lot more factors at play here. But money, distance from anyone I know, theological orientation, recommendation of my pastor/elders, all factor in.
In one sense, I want to see what you all think of these schools (Calvin, Covenant, and Westminster-PA, but also if you might gather that I am putting too much emphasis on minor things and should give weight to other issues. I appreciate any and all feedback.
- Jonathanatos
In my junior year at Central Michigan Uni I felt God was calling me to seminary, for the purpose of teaching (Masters of Theo Studies is one option). I actually went from computer science to family studies (and counseling), and then changed again to a psychology and philosophy double-major. I was involved with campus ministry in part, then I was put into the position of director of college ministry for my church (a local baptist variety), and I've since graduated. Being involved in such a capacity, my heart grew for students all the more. I don't know if I could willingly bow out of the level of activity in a church. The last 8 months I have been involved with college ministry as volunteer staff for Campus Crusade for Christ.
So, I've been saving up for seminary, active in the ministry, seeing a lot of growth. I am looking forward to seminary this Fall. I applied to Calvin Seminary, Covenant Seminary, and Westminster Seminary (PA). I have been accepted to both CTS's for their MTS/MAET, but haven't heard back anything yet from WTS except that they received my app and it'll take a while (they still haven't cashed the check for the app fee).
Now it is getting down to the wire and I still don't know where to go. I've been praying, I've been talking with a lot of people about it (elders, peers, even faculty), and it is getting frustrating not being decisive. Here's my hang-up:
I don't know if I am focusing on minor issues and blowing them out of proportion, I don't know if I am not taking the issues seriously. I want a tight, Reformed (covenant theology) school, with some good academic reputation to allow for for Ph.D work afterward, and a good program for learning the languages and get a good sys theology.
Calvin was my top priority for over a year (I check out their campus in Oct '09) because of overall cost, location (it is 2 hr from home, family, friends, and my girlfriend -- I am not married or engaged), strong reformed stance, and all the fun stuff (beautiful campus, awesome library, reputation, etc.). Why it has dropped down on my list is this: I had been reading up on the CRC (part of the opinions expressed were from posters on this site!) and I'm not liking where they are headed. Ordination of women, Belhar confession, and bringing to the table things that, while important to discuss, are really not things we can fudge on. While you don't have to be CRC to enroll, I am not sure what significance it is if I am led to change to the M.Div and would be ordained in the CRC.
Westminster was on my radar back in '09 too. Being 12hr away and near a large, historical city isn't bad in my book. I really liked it there when I visited in March of '10. Nothing I disliked about the seminary, but it did cost more and was much farther away. (I didn't have a girlfriend at the time either, so now the 12 hr feels less appealing) ... I feel like ruling out WTS for now, thinking that it would definitely be an excellent school to go for a Ph.D.
Covenant was on back burner for me originally because their tuition was by far the highest (when in reality, their overall costs put together are just a little more than Calvin, and a bit less than WTS), I never checked out their campus in person, and it was pretty far away in a city I've never visited or really had an interest in. But I had been aware of them because of their free online courses, which I've taken (four?) and found were pretty tight. They are PCA, so similar content as WTS with a theologically conservative stance, but closer by a little bit, a little less costly, and has already accepted me.
Now, there are a lot more factors at play here. But money, distance from anyone I know, theological orientation, recommendation of my pastor/elders, all factor in.
In one sense, I want to see what you all think of these schools (Calvin, Covenant, and Westminster-PA, but also if you might gather that I am putting too much emphasis on minor things and should give weight to other issues. I appreciate any and all feedback.
- Jonathanatos