Comprehensive Education

Christ Seminary seeks to provide a large range of classes for students—biblical counseling, surveys, studies, languages, theology, and more. Most seminaries have a broad array of courses available for students, every kind of course from general to very specific. Have you ever stopped to consider why so many different courses of study are available?

Preparation for ministry is a serious task and it requires equally serious preparation. Men who are considering a churchly vocation should not seek to enter that vocation without deep consideration and commitment to this high calling (cf. Heb. 13:17). God explicitly says that not many people should become teachers because of the heightened accountability that comes with that role (cf. James 3:1-2).

Part of the reason that we provide a large range of classes is that men need to be prepared in every way possible if they are to enter the ministry. We provide comprehensive education and training so that we can comprehensively examine and equip each student. We all have many sins that need to be addressed in many areas of our lives, not to mention the plurality of areas in which we need to be trained and informed. We are not searching for perfect students, but for students who are ready to be deeply examined and extensively trained. (I would also like to note that our students are not perfect after graduation, either).

Nevertheless, we should strive to be prepared in whatever ways are possible. Seminary is one means among many that are provided for the training of future pastors—there are many areas that seminary cannot adequately prepare men. There are things that only the Holy Spirit can accomplish in men’s lives. Men must also be shepherded by their pastors, they must teach under the guidance of their elders, and they must apply themselves to other means than just seminary. Seminary is by no means a requirement for pastors, either, as far as the biblical requirements are concerned. Many great and godly pastors have never stepped foot inside a seminary.

On the other hand, many of them did not have the opportunity to be trained in the context of a seminary, and we believe that if those men did have the opportunity they would have availed themselves of it.  So seminary education, though not strictly required, is often an expectation where it is available. Seminary education is a wonderful opportunity for a man to be trained in many of the areas that pertain to pastoral ministry.

The reason that seminaries provides extensive training is that the work of the ministry is varied, and much thought and preparation needs to go into each area of practice. Pastoral ministry is no walk in the park—just ask any pastor. A seminary education is of great benefit to pastors themselves and to the congregations that they will serve, and it has often been used by God to sharpen men when they did not know they were dull. A seminary degree does not grant any special ability to any person—yet when God has called a man and when that man obediently pursues ministry, a seminary degree can be of great value and great usefulness for God’s kingdom.

--Dean of Admissions