Linda Cannell What Is the Future of Theological Education? Addressing the challenges facing seminaries today

6 | The Covenant Companion uring a meeting with seminary education initiatives attract hundreds one else dared join them….Neverthe- presidents and deans some of men and women who are no less less, more and more men and women Dyears ago, someone asked concerned about becoming equipped believed in the Lord and were added the question, “What is a good theo- for effective ministry in the world. to their number” (vv. 13-14, TNIV). logical school?” The question quickly It is important that we ask, and With regard to the institutional became, “What good is a theological answer, the question of what would church, the Acts 5 incident is ever a school?” Then, more seriously, “What be lost if seminaries ceased to exist. If warning. Though humanity persis- is theological education?” the church can’t articulate a compel- tently, and rightly, creates institutions We began to think of theological ling reason, then the seminary that to stabilize society and to carry on education as bigger than a school; serves the church has cause for con- cultures and traditions, the ever-pres- for just as education does not equal cern. But the concern is not just for ent danger is that the deeper meaning school, theological education does not the seminary. of that which the institution reflects equal seminary or theological school. will be lost or obscured. God is less A school is simply one way of doing A Call to Character concerned about churches’ organi- theological education. All institutions I was working on a chapter for the zational structures than about the are human creations, and their forms book Children Matter at a resort character of the people of God. and traditions have taken shape as center in Nova Scotia. One day the Read through all the letters to the result of decisions made across the owner asked about the book, and the churches in the New Testament years. Schools and the institutional- I told him it had to do ized church are no exceptions. with children’s ministry It is important that we ask, and For several decades, faculty, higher in churches. As we looked education administrators, church lead- out at the Atlantic Ocean, answer, the question of what would ers, and students have raised concerns he said, “If you want to be lost if seminaries ceased to exist. and considered possible alternatives see church on Sunday for theological schools. Early critiques around here, go to the local Wal- and make a list as you read of all the generally assumed that the schools Mart!” terms, words, and phrases used to would continue but be reformed over Like seminaries, the institutional describe the churches. What were the time. More recently, some suggest that church is not immune from critique. congregations being admonished to theological schools as we know them Revitalization efforts, leadership do, to be, and to know? Note the few, may not be necessary at all. Cyni- conferences promising to help clergy and generally imprecise, references to cal critics ask, what is the point of a develop a “successful” church, and organization and structure. Observe seminary education that requires more the flight of people from so many the clear and abundant direction time than people are willing to give, organized churches suggest that all is given with regard to the character and more money than people are able to not well with the institutional church values. Then consider what it would pay, more disconnection from family either. mean for the church today—for your and career than people are willing to In a sermon entitled “The Church church—if certain characteristics were tolerate, and that seems to be less than That Nobody Dared to Join” Wal- taken seriously. effective in equipping women and men ter Liefeld, distinguished profes- With Christ as the head of the for leadership and ministry? sor emeritus of Trinity Evangelical church, what is leadership? What No one doubts that the continued Divinity School, noted that Acts becomes of planning when we existence of theological schools is 5:1-14 presents a picture of congre- acknowledge that it is God’s pur- threatened. The economy certainly gational development unfamiliar to poses that should govern the church’s has an effect; but of greater threat are most North Americans. Ananias and activities? How do we define vision the emerging questions about why Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and and purpose when these are fulfilled we need theological schools. Lead- were struck dead for their deception, through the gifting, guidance, and ers can be trained in any number of causing great fear in the church and empowerment of the Holy Spirit? institutes, most sponsored by multi- among all those who heard about the How is human authority defined campus churches. In some denomina- event. After their deaths (not exactly tions ordination does not require a an effective church growth strategy) Linda Cannell is the academic dean of North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. She also directs theological degree. Internationally, and the performance of many signs CanDoSpirit Network serving leaders internationally seminaries struggle while non-formal and wonders by the apostles, “No (www.candospirit.org).

March 2010 | 7 when God is the authority? What dif- Theological Education for the ness is possible only to the degree that ference would it make if all Christians Whole People of God all members are committed to learn- understood that we are expected to Over the next few decades, seminaries ing, to spiritual discipline, to a lifetime demonstrate to the world a particular must learn how to collaborate with of responsible service. sort of character? churches and other agencies in two It has been observed that a word Clearly, the church has both an urgent tasks: the development of lead- translatable as “leadership” does not institutional and a more mysteri- ers, and the education of the whole appear in the Greek New Testament. ous spiritual character. We want people of God. Most still expect those This omission may not be significant, our churches to demonstrate good who lead the church to be bibli- except to underscore that Scripture’s organizational practice; but, at the cally and theologically educated, to emphasis is clearly on leaders and not same time, programs, leadership have developed some understanding on some abstract theory of leadership styles, planning, and so on, must be and ability in critical areas of minis- or set of leadership skills. The more consistent with the character God try leadership, and to be spiritually important lessons to be gained from expects—or the church will become attuned. But the currently over- the leaders described in Scripture are no different from any other helping crowded seminary curriculum can- found in how they came to understand agency in society. not accomplish all these tasks alone. God’s purposes for his people, and What does all this have to do with Seminaries must learn to collaborate; how leaders responded with consider- theological education? and churches must learn that effective- able variation in style to that under-

How Important Is Seminary? Craig Groeschel

y opinions about seminary are mixed. Unquestionably, the have been required to take at least three if we were hoping to be Mschools I attended shaped my views. I studied for one a senior pastor. year at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, We didn’t study any thoughts on kids’ ministry, student minis- Kentucky, and for three years at Phillips Theological Seminary in try, missions, or small groups. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Although my time in seminary pre-dated the need, I think all Although I see value in what students learn in the classroom, schools today should teach pastors how to leverage technology I honestly believe that churches should take the lead role in in the church. preparing pastors. (This could also help eliminate some financial Here are a few of the things I’m thankful for about seminary: pressures that keep too many pastors from furthering their edu- Seminary taught me to read fast and to absorb a lot of cation.) I can’t think of a better way to learn than serving under information. (Many classes required us to read a book a week.) great men and women of God. Although no system is perfect, I Speed-reading has made a huge difference in my life and minis- prefer throwing gifted people into the ministry waters and help- try. ing them learn to swim rather than sending them to three years Hebrew was helpful to me. (What I know about Greek I picked of classes to learn how to clean the pool, treat the water, and up on my own.) apply sunscreen. Seminary taught me to be a better writer. At Phillips, we rarely Each pastor has different developmental needs. Some took tests. Most classes required a lot of writing. This skill has need more time learning the basics of God’s word. Others are helped me minister to people in ways I couldn’t otherwise. strong in the word, but have significant relational or leadership The history courses were helpful. I was especially inspired by challenges. These are different needs that deserve different D.L. Moody, Charles Finney, John Wesley, and George Whitefield. educational approaches. I also was moved by studying medieval Christianity. Knowing how I’m grateful for what God did in my life through seminary, but God used people in the past helps give me a broader perspective much of the time (and money) invested doesn’t apply to what I of what he could do today. do today. Just as I love seeing innovation in the church, I’d love I learned why I believed what I believed. At Phillips, many to see innovation in the way we prepare pastors. professors had a very liberal theology and looked down on con- Here’s a short list of what I didn’t learn in seminary. servatives. They tested my faith and helped me to become more I never had a class on how to do a wedding or funeral. grounded than I would have been otherwise. We never looked at how to manage a budget, lead a board I made some very good friends in school. ■ meeting, recruit volunteers, raise money, hire and fire staff, or Craig Groeschel is pastor of Life Covenant Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. design church facilities. These reflections are taken with permission from his blog postings August 16- I only took one class on preaching. In my opinion, we should 19, 2009, swerve.lifechurch.tv.

8 | The Covenant Companion standing. Clearly, the primary function of leaders is to make fit God’s people for acts of service (Ephesians 4:12). Paul describes a threefold pattern for the development of leaders in his instruc- tion to Timothy: a leader teaches another, who in turn teaches others, so that they can teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). If this pattern of teaching and leadership development is to become normative, if all members are expected to demonstrate the character God demands, if a lifetime of discipleship Over the next few decades, seminaries must learn is not optional, and if a foundational how to collaborate with churches and other agencies in task of leaders is to assist congrega- tions to understand and live out their two urgent tasks: the development of leaders, and the identity and purpose as the people of education of the whole people of God. God, then perhaps we should think first about theological education for ministry. I’m sure I wasn’t the only not optional. A theme that appears the whole people of God, and second person thinking, what’s wrong with frequently in Dallas Willard’s writings about how those who are called to this picture? on spirituality is that the American lead the church are educated. For more than forty years I have church has made the serious error of For several years I was part of a served in a variety of church staff presuming that discipleship, or the group of faculty members from differ- positions, held different responsi- expectation of obedient follower-ship, ent evangelical seminaries and rep- bilities in the academy, and consulted can be separated from belief in Christ resenting a variety of disciplines that with each group. Two years ago, when as Savior. He also warned in a recent met under the leadership of Richard I accepted the invitation to be the aca- presentation that if the church departs Mouw, president of Fuller Theologi- demic dean of North Park Theological from the most basic descriptions of cal Seminary, to discuss the aims and Seminary, I did so for three reasons. its character and purpose in Scripture, purposes of theological education. At 1) Most important, unlike many leaders end up in the undesirable posi- one of our meetings, pollster George other seminaries, North Park is con- tion of “trying to make an organiza- Barna made a presentation using two nected to a supportive denomination, tion work that has departed from its sets of overhead transparencies. The and an expectation exists that the function.” findings from interviews ofA merican seminary, denominational leaders, clergy were summarized on one set, and churches should work together to So, What Is Theological and of members of congregations on serve the people of God. Thus, the face Education? the other set. of North Park is toward the church. I come to my role as academic dean Barna’s research found that clergy 2) The faculty, staff, and students with the conviction that there is feel confident in their understanding appeared ready to explore alterna- a place for the seminary—and for of the Bible, their knowledge of theol- tives in curriculum and in the ways in North Park Theological Seminary. ogy, and their capacity to teach and which we partner with the church and Seminary curriculum and structure preach. They feel less confident about other organizations. will certainly change over the next their ability to manage a changing 3) The espousal of individual and decade as faculty become ever more organization and to work effectively corporate spirituality, academic life, capable facilitators of adult learning; with people. (Numerous studies over social accountability, and the need to and as the schools create effective the years have elicited similar find- encourage multiculturalism and inter- partnerships with other organizations ings.) The other set of transparencies cultural competency was compatible worldwide. The seminary should be summarized congregational members’ with my values and experience. a place where women and men called self-descriptions that they are not Theological schools can serve the to vocational leadership have the time growing in their understanding of church, but they will serve well only to explore knowledge, enlarge their Scripture or in their spiritual lives and to the extent that all members accept understanding, learn to think care- are confused about the nature of their that learning and discipleship are fully, and have time to reflect on their

March 2010 | 9 Committing to a Strong Future Brad Boydston personal and spiritual development. he church still needs seminary- iTunes U, and local church-based Even those who experience the semi- trained leaders! However, we schools. Instead of seeing diffused edu- nary at a distance should be obligated Talso need a serious church-wide cation as competition, seminaries can in varieties of cohort structures to discussion about what that training will encourage it and then, as a service to take the time to learn, reflect, and look like and how it will be delivered. the church, create ways to test and evaluate their own lives and experi- It seems to me that Linda Cannell measure student development within a ence. is asking some of the right questions holistic framework. Busyness is ever the thief of learn- in the accompanying article. She has a Continued Rigor. As the world ing and spiritual growth. The most good sense for the holistic imperative becomes more complex, it is important effective leaders are those who realize of Christian leadership formation. that church leaders become even more that they, along with the people they Furthermore, she is in the right place sophisticated in their understanding of lead, are to be lifelong learners. In because North Park Theological Sem- Bible, theology, ministry, culture—and this regard, the seminary can help. inary is uniquely positioned to take her how they all relate. In other words, this is not the time to lower the educational At North Park Theological Seminary questions and acumen seriously. In my overlapping roles as pastor, church bar, even while embracing more flex- we want to say, “When you graduate planter, professor, seminary administra- ible forms of learning and leadership from North Park, we are with you for tor, and missionary, I’ve given some development. your entire career.” thought to the challenges of Christian More Cross-Cultural Focus. Major I believe that the church requires leadership formation. It seems that the population shifts and electronic connec- a community of scholars to assist the emerging, holistically engaged seminary tions around the world are creating a whole people of God to understand needs the following: type of cultural fusion the church has their Christian heritage and the word, Less Responsibility. Local churches never before had to deal with, even in and to support the spiritual and min- must take more responsibility for char- its pristine first century. Add to that mix istry health of the body of Christ. The acter and spiritual formation. Seasoned the rise of post-Christian societies in church, as the people of God, is God’s pastors and church leaders need to Canada and the United States, as well mystery. Christians are pilgrims, and see the personal development of new as the blurring of the lines between learning is best imaged as a shared leaders as part of their job description. urban, suburban, and rural societies. journey. Lifelong learning is compat- There needs to be local pre-seminary We live in an era of cultural flux. Lead- ible with the Christian mandate of a training in biblical studies, theology, ers can no longer be trained to serve in lifetime of obedience. If all Christians character, and practical ministry skills. narrow niches; rather everyone needs embraced the life of the disciple, with We should be sending people off to to be trained to serve as cross-cultural its attendant obligation of a life of seminary not just because they need missionaries. Even those who expect to learning, the educational enterprise these things, but because they have serve as church leaders in rural America would be transformed. also demonstrated them. Perhaps the should have some of their develop- Theologian Craig Dykstra, among church would benefit from an overarch- ment in the likes of Thailand, Mexico, others, believes that seminaries ing leadership development strategy or Spain. Cross-cultural focus must are essential “for the perpetuation, that includes seminaries, local congre- become a part of the holistically formed enhancement, and enlargement of gations, conferences, and other mission leader. Local churches can share in this the practice of Christian theological arms of the church. part of the journey, too. education in our society.” Writing More Integration. We don’t need The real challenge, no matter how in the Princeton Seminary Bulle- more programs in spiritual formation to we frame the issue, is how do we switch tin, he argues that the education of supplement the academic tracks. We gears when so many of our local church clergy would be “more powerful and need academics who can model holistic perceptions, seminary structures, insti- empowering were it to take more integration within their disciplines. North tutional expectations, and accreditation standards came out of the needs of the seriously the hunger and need for a Park already does this better than most. An Expanded Role. As North twentieth century? ■ theological education of the church America embraces more informal and and the public.” flexible forms of education, seminaries One can hope that the concept of Brad Boydston is currently the church planter and might be better positioned than any pastor of MasterPiece Church, a new Covenant theological education for the whole other institution of the church to validate church in Phoenix, Arizona. He also continues to people of God will be strengthened in teach at Pacific Islands University in Guam, where the learning that is already occurring until last summer he served as a Covenant project coming years. ■ through seminars, Internet classes, missionary.

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