What Seminary 'Produces' the Best Preachers?

[a mere housewife]

I thought you were breaking off in tears.

 

[Galatians220]

You forgot my alma mater, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary!

Hello, Mr. Eshelman!!! Yes, I was going to mention PRTS -- my husband and I met you last month there at Dr. Murray's conference on Biblical evangelism. Typed up my notes from that conference and sent them around to a couple of dozen people/families... who all enjoyed them immensely.

I vote for PRTS.

 

[danmpem]

Nobody's chosen Dallas Theological Seminary yet?

While he's not classic DTS, I believe Steve Lawson attended while S. Lewis Johnson was teaching there.

 

[tcalbrecht]

Given that the product of most seminaries is mediocre at best, the poll seems a bit nonsensical. As a former member of a candidates and credentials committee, I've listened to a lot of "fresh faces" work their way through the licensure/ordination process. I must say that I’ve never heard a good preacher who was the result of a seminary environment.

Related question; if you have to choose, would you want a man who is a good preacher but a poor pastor or vice versa?

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

The latter...

 

[CDM]

Given that the product of most seminaries is mediocre at best, the poll seems a bit nonsensical. As a former member of a candidates and credentials committee, I've listened to a lot of "fresh faces" work their way through the licensure/ordination process. I must say that I’ve never heard a good preacher who was the result of a seminary environment.

Related question; if you have to choose, would you want a man who is a good preacher but a poor pastor or vice versa?

Good preacher.* This is essential. There are the other elders who can pastorally care for the people, too.


*it all depends on how you define "good". Does it mean accurate or persuasive or what?

 

[JBaldwin]

Given that the product of most seminaries is mediocre at best, the poll seems a bit nonsensical. As a former member of a candidates and credentials committee, I've listened to a lot of "fresh faces" work their way through the licensure/ordination process. I must say that I’ve never heard a good preacher who was the result of a seminary environment.

Related question; if you have to choose, would you want a man who is a good preacher but a poor pastor or vice versa?

What do you mean by "good preacher"?

When I think of "good preacher" I think of someone who can expound the Scriptures (ability to deliver is always an added plus, but I don't think it matters.)

When I look at what the Scriptures teach about elders, it says they are to be "apt to teach", but they should also have shepherding hearts. So often, I think, men who love to teach, but have no "heart" for the flock take on the roll of pastor. They often end up falling flat on their faces, because they are not able to shepherd the flock. Those men belong in strict teaching rolls (In my humble opinion).

If God calls someone, He also equips them with the gifts necessary to complete the task at hand.

 

[Bygracealone]

Any seminary that can teach you to preach with an Irish or Scottish accent

 

[danmpem]

What do you mean by "good preacher"?

When I think of "good preacher" I think of someone who can expound the Scriptures (ability to deliver is always an added plus, but I don't think it matters.)

I wonder if that's the whole idea. Some of my friends who are in the pastoral ministry are wonderful teachers of the word in small groups, and are very skilled in expounding the Scriptures, but are really lousy preachers behind the pulpit.

 

[tcalbrecht]

Good preacher.* This is essential. There are the other elders who can pastorally care for the people, too.


*it all depends on how you define "good". Does it mean accurate or persuasive or what?

"Good preacher" was not defined in the OP. I suspect it is a somewhat subjective term.

I have to disagree with your premise, however, "other elders who can pastorally care for the people". I believe that pastoral gifts are primary for all the elders. Some are also qualified to preach and teach. I don’t think a "good preacher" who cannot pastor ought to be the leader of a congregation. After all, we do not typically refer to them as "senior preachers" but rather senior pastors, etc. E.g., see PCA BCO 23-1; 1 Tim. 5:17.

 

[Romans922]

A Good pastor who can read Scripture is better than a bad pastor who can preach well.

 

[JBaldwin]

What do you mean by "good preacher"?

When I think of "good preacher" I think of someone who can expound the Scriptures (ability to deliver is always an added plus, but I don't think it matters.)

I wonder if that's the whole idea. Some of my friends who are in the pastoral ministry are wonderful teachers of the word in small groups, and are very skilled in expounding the Scriptures, but are really lousy preachers behind the pulpit.

That is true, but even so, I would much rather have a pastor who is a good teacher, but lousy preacher, AND has a shepherd's heart than a pastor who who preach, but can't shepherd.

 

[Romans922]

REALLY? 8 for WTS PA? Is that because you guys have only ever heard of that one seminary or ....? [Not saying you are wrong, I'm just surprised]

 

[Archlute]

A Good pastor who can read Scripture is better than a bad pastor who can preach well.

Amen.

 

[Archlute]

What, no one for Covenant???

 

[cupotea]

What, no one for Covenant???

Yes, how about Covenant? I know some friends there, what's everybody's
opinion about it?

 

[21st Century Calvinist]

I too was surprised to see that Covenant was not on the list. I guess it must be under "other" along with catholic and mormon.
I am probably biased in favor of Covenant, but I have heard several good preachers who have graduated from there.

 

[Zenas]

I think Westminster, PA gets it's recognition for the pastors it has graduated in the past, not the ones it currently graduates. I voted for it for that reason.

Covenant scares me a little because it's more Broadly Evangelical than Truly Reformed, or so it seems to me.

If I were to attend a seminary, I would attend one of the RTS campuses, hands-down, but then I would not be going to seminary to be a pastor anyway.

 

[Stephen]

I think Westminster, PA gets it's recognition for the pastors it has graduated in the past, not the ones it currently graduates. I voted for it for that reason.

Covenant scares me a little because it's more Broadly Evangelical than Truly Reformed, or so it seems to me.

If I were to attend a seminary, I would attend one of the RTS campuses, hands-down, but then I would not be going to seminary to be a pastor anyway.

Interesting observation, brother. I certainly have strong reservations about Covenant. It is the only seminary of the PCA. I would encourage students to consider Mid-America in Indiana, Puritan Reformed, Greenville, WTS in California or RTS in Charlottee.

 

[Gesetveemet]

Protestant Reformed Seminary, church governed with no armchair theologians.





.

 

[cih1355]

The Cornerstone Seminary was not in the poll. Here is the link to the site:
The Cornerstone Seminary » Welcome!

It is located at my church.

 

[jawyman]

I have to vote for PRTS not just because it is my seminary, but because PRTS is one of the only seminaries to emphasize experiential preaching.

 

[SolaGratia]

I certainly have strong reservations about Covenanat. It is the only seminary of the PCA. I would encourage students to consider Mid-America in Indiana, Puritan Reformed, Greenville, WTS in California or RTS in Charlottee.

What about New Geneva Theological Seminary?
Isn't that seminary also a part of the PCA?

 

[Casey]

I voted for my own seminary (Mid-America Reformed Seminary) because all the professors are ministers and have experience preaching themselves, the curriculum places great emphasis on preaching, and of course I know some fellow students who I believe are "good preachers." Perhaps a more objective way of determining an answer to the question in the OP would be to compare the number of classes offered that have to do with preparation and delivery of sermons.

 

[Romans922]

Sounds exactly like RTS Jackson

I voted for my own seminary (Mid-America Reformed Seminary) because all the professors are ministers and have experience preaching themselves, the curriculum places great emphasis on preaching, and of course I know some fellow students who I believe are "good preachers." Perhaps a more objective way of determining an answer to the question in the OP would be to compare the number of classes offered that have to do with preparation and delivery of sermons.

 

[Contra Marcion]

Where's Mid-America?

Lane,

Did you mean Mid-America Reformed Seminary? If so, that's in Dyer, IN (Right outside Chicago).

Dr. Cornell Venema is president there, and they are as solid as it gets, In my humble opinion.

 

[CalvinandHodges]

Hi:

Students who leave Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (not on list) have preached 90 sermons. I think this seminary should be high on the list.

-CH

 

[dwayne]

Any seminary that can teach you to preach with an Irish or Scottish accent

I agree.

 

[Stephen]

I certainly have strong reservations about Covenanat. It is the only seminary of the PCA. I would encourage students to consider Mid-America in Indiana, Puritan Reformed, Greenville, WTS in California or RTS in Charlottee.

What about New Geneva Theological Seminary?
Isn't that seminary also a part of the PCA?

No

 

[Me Died Blue]

Yes, the one by Bellevue. I don't know of any Calvinist there, although Tom Nettles once taught there. The impression I get is that they are anti-Calvinist and very pro Dispensational.

Correct.